Day 94, 95, 96 & 97
| October 8th to the 11th, 2007 |
From Lake Powell, Utah to Pinon, Az
Arizona! Grand canyon state. In our case, also the last state...
The bridge that will get us across the Colorado river. Another major step of our trip.
Psycologically, being south of the Colorado is meaningful for us.
Here it is, the Colorado river as seen from the bridge. And possibly what Lake Powell
looked like before Glen Canyon Dam.
Glen Canyon Dam.
WE ARE SOUTH !
Elevation 4300ft, founded 1957.
On the huge Navajo Nation territory...
...En route to Pinon (pronounce: Pignonn).
Surprise, Surprise!! We thought that most of the roads on the Navajo rez would be
gravel...Au contraire! Almost all roads are paved! Could'nt find one that would get us to
Pinon that would'nt be!!
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Here's our guide on the rez:
Paul Tohlakai.
A Navajo Native himself, Paul organises guided tours on the reservation.
You will live the Navajo way and he will take you to some of the most secret places here.
Paul explaining that the coal extracted from the mine travels over 75 miles across the
rez...
...on this giant conveyor belt that brings it to the power plant!!
Not exactly what most Navajo Natives want to see across their ancesters land... |
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Pinon. Exacly 177 paved miles from Page...Ouch! My tires!!
Paul offers us to stay in his Hogan. We would have loved to stay in a Tee Pee but the
weather being too cold, he says we'd be better in the Hogan. This one is a somewhat modern
version of the traditional Navajo home. We have electricity but no running water (Paul
invites welcomes us to use his main house showers, he even recommends we SHOULD use it ;).
The floor is clay and there's a wood stove in the middle of the one room building. Total
luxury! We have heat!!
 
Yeah ! Our very own Navajo guide!
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It's so nice to travel with someone as knowledgeable as Paul.
We can ask him any questions, he knows the answer. He will help us discover traditions and
beliefs of the Navajo Natives. Many thanks to Paul and Trilite!
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| Bof... |
Is it fear of the unknown or just bad perception?
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Many people told us we should'nt venture out on the Navajo
rez. "It's dangerous" they said. We found the opposite down here. Navajo people
are friendly. They wave Hi! at the grocery store and on the street. Like anybody, they're
curious but they're also very respectful.
The Navajo Nation is a world to discover. It's different. You must be ready to live
differently. If you are, you will enjoy it very much.
A big BOF...to all who tried to discourage us to come here... |
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the following morning, Paul and his friend and associate Tom (AKA Trilite) drive us to
canyon de Chelly (pronounce: shea).
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Considered sacred by Navajo Natives, the canyon still holds the spirits of
some important figures of their "religion". |
Spirits or not, it's still impressive!
The guy in the middle of the pic gives you an idea of how huge this is.
France dicussing Spirits with Paul.
Here's a more traditionnal Hogan, made of logs with the roof covered with dried mud.
Polaris
Industries - Canada
Polaris Industries - USA
We now bring you with us to discover Monument Valley. Looks familiar? Of course, 'cause
it's here that were shot dozens of western movies. There's even a statue of John Wayne!
Grand, is'nt it? (Monument Valley, not John Wayne...)
This is also the place where Forrest Gump stopped running...
Speaking of Forrest...Oups, sorry...Monu...mental...mistake...
If you're wondering how those formations were made, know that we are now standing at
the bottom of what used to be an ocean, millions of years ago. Guess the rock that those
monuments are made of was harder then whatever was around it...Erosion sculpted these
things.
Marc with Paul and Trilite.
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1-800-go-rving. |
Cool monuments!!
Back to Chinle:
All American food!! At A&W, our beef is fresh, very fresh !!
...I prefer the taste of...Burger King!
But seriously, we're now back at Pauls' place and...
...He and Trilite get busy assembling drums.
Paul sews the deer hide using a bone.
After work...Party!! A crab leg dinner!! In the middle of the desert!!
Paul likes contrasts and he just loves doing things completely out of context. As an
example, we ate seafood while listening to Edith Piaf (Female French singer) and Linda
Lemay (Female Québec singer)!!!
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Unrelated: What can you do? France thought
he looked cool! |
France (I now call her Dr.Doolittle) thought this one too, looked cute
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Cute! She's got that "Take me with you" looks... |
Execpt this time I totally agree...Seems someone abandonned her at Pauls' a
couple week ago...Paul already has a few dogs, he's going to have to leave her somewhere
for adoption...
...T.B.C...
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