Sunday, March 6, 2016

The Four Corners in the Navajo Nation




After viewing the Mesa Verde National Park in SW Colorado--see this link to view that post--my husband and I stayed in a hotel overnight in Cortez, Colorado. Early the next morning, we began to drive South on US 491 and then SW on US 160 towards the Four Corners area that borders the states of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.  The scenery in Montezuma County in Colorado is so magnificent!  Ute Mountain valley was lit in golden hues by the sunrise.  The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation town of Towaoc is located here, and as we passed by we saw some of their ponies running wild alongside the road. (All photos and photo collages in this post will enlarge for easier viewing if clicked on)


As we drove South West on US 160 towards the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is one of the largest Native American tribal governments of the North American Indian Nations, with a land base larger than the US state of West Virginia.  It occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, southwestern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico. You can read more about the history of the Navajo Nation on this link.


Please click on collage photo to enlarge

We passed the most amazing topography along the way in this area that is part of the Colorado Plateau.  Comprised of arid desert areas and mesas the land showed evidence of wind and water erosion and past volcanic activities, all which carved this land over the ages.  While beautiful, it also looked very inhospitable to human existence.


We soon reached our destination within the Navajo Nation of the Four Corners area, the only place in the United States where four states corners connect--the states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.


Here, the Four Corners Monument is located. This area is very remote, with no running water and no electricity.  The visitors center is opened almost year round, and features a demonstration center with Navajo vendors that sell crafts and traditional foods.  We arrived very early in the morning, and  the vendors were still arriving and setting up their booths.


The original Four Corners marker was placed in this spot in 1912 with a simple concrete marker, but over the years the monument has been built up with granite and brass to be a more imposing place to visit.


You will have to click on to enlarge the historical placard above at the Four Corners site that explains the history of how this site was marked by surveyors in 1868.


There, in the middle of the monument park, is a US Department of Interior metal disk that marks the exact spot where the corners of the four states touch, surrounded by markers which tell you the locations of the four states.


A closer view....

The words around the perimeter of the circle states: "Here meet in freedom under God four states."


...and even closer.


The four states and their state shields surround the marker.


My husband and I standing in two separate states each....


...and my brave husband with a limb in all four states!

It was exciting to visit the Four Corners Monument and see a portion of our country that is so unique for its location as well as for the views of the Navajo Nation and to meet the indigenous native peoples that were able to prosper here, and blend both traditional and modern ways of life.


A view of the beautiful, but desolate, land surrounding the Four Corners Monument.


We were soon back on on the road, and passed over the Arizona border, on our way to Gilbert, Arizona, where my sister-in-law and brother-in-law live, and where we were gathering for our niece's wedding. We had many miles ahead of us, but we were glad we decided to drive to see these fabulous sights. We were still driving through Navajo Nation, and in my next post I'll show more of this very unique and beautiful place.


In Memoriam



I was very sad to hear that Sally of the blog Smiling Sally, passed away last week. Sally hosted a blog event called "Blue Monday" for many years, as blue was her favorite color. I always tried to participate in Blue Monday as much as possible, as I enjoyed getting to know Sally through her blog and also on facebook. As a retired high school teacher, she also enjoyed reading very much, and also had a book review blog. Sally had a wonderful sense of humor, was positive through all her health struggles in the past few years, and had a wonderful deep love of family and faith, which she expressed often in her blog posts. I know she is happy to be with our Lord Jesus in heaven. Good bye, Sally---I will miss you and you will always remain in my heart and prayers.


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46 comments:

Snap said...

I have sweet memories of many visits to the Navajo Nation. My Daddy's work took him there several times a year and when I was out of school, he would take me along. I'm smiling!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the scenic views are lovely in the southwest. I love the view of the road that goes on and the landscapes. It is cool to stand in four states at the same time. Wonderful photos. I was sorry to hear about Saly passing away, it looks like we lost another great blogging friend. Happy Sunday, enjoy your new week ahead!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Pat, your photos are stunning! I've never been to Four Corners, so thank you for taking me there! Cute photo of you and your hubby in different states as well as the one of your push up hubby!
I'm sorry to hear about your blogging friend, Pat. ♥

Willow said...

Four Corners is on my bucket list! Maybe this summer???

Michelle said...

I have been so close to this spot! I need to make sure I get there next time I am in the area. Great shots of you and your husband!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

The four corners is on my bucket list. One of these days.

I think the four courners area is so beautiful. It is certainly has diverse terrain.

Linda W. said...

I didn't realize there was such a grand monument at the four corners. Love the pic of your hubby trying to be in all four states!

Annesphamily said...

Nice photos Pat! Your tribute to Sally is terrific too. It will be hard to know she won't be there anymore but I hope many of the participates will continue to visit each other. Before Broomfield became it's own city you could shop at Sprouts on 120th avenue and Sheridan and be in Adams county, cross the street to Walmart and be in Boulder county . As a young gal I worked for the Pueblo County Treasurers office and at one time I could name every single Colorado county! It is good to see you here. Have a wonderful week. Hugs, Anne

Daniela said...

What a wonderful Nature, amazing views and what an emotion to find in the exact point where four State meet, your posts are always so enjoyable and exciting !
Thank you for sharing this travel of yours with us, darling Pat !
May your week be blessed with love and joy,
sending dear hugs to you,
Dany

P.S.: I'm so sad for your loss, may your blog friend rest in peace ...

A Bit of the Blarney said...

How I love your blog!!! I love these adventures with you!! Thank you!

From the Kitchen said...

Beautiful landscape! Alas, I've only viewed photos of these places or viewed them while flying over. Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Bonnie

Sheila said...

It's amazing to see how the four states meet. i'm happy to see you had good weather for this expedition! You enjoy your road trips so much...I wonder what music you like to listen to along the way...

Small City Scenes said...

What a great post. Love the scenery and all the images and info about the four corners. thank you
MB

Linda Kay said...

We are headed north and west from Texas this summer, so should try to go by this place.

LV said...

Been along that area many years ago. Was nice going again through your lens.

Little Wandering Wren said...

Beautiful photos as always Pat, that's a rather cool workout your hubby had to get all his limbs in different states! It was lovely to read your tribute to Sally, she will be missed by us all.
Wren x

NCSue said...

Cool shots!
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/03/dominica-caribbean-jewel.html

Tamar SB said...

How cool to stand in 4 states at once!

Pondside said...

Cute pictures, Pat!
One really gets an idea of the immensity of the tracts of wild land - and as you say so inhospitable to humans. Gorgeous views!

Andrea said...

I learned many things from this post Millie, just like your previous one. The postcard photos are also amazing. Thanks for them as i will never be here in this lifetime. Am glad also that some people like you post those bloggers who already went ahead of us, just like last 2 weeks when Tina of East Gwillimbury also died in an accident with her husband. May they rest i peace.

Jeanne said...

Hello Pat, What an interesting post about the four corners. Great photos and wonderful info as always. Cute photo of your hubby at the four corners.

This is also a lovely tribute to Sally today. She was a very special person and I miss her so much. Sally has so many friends in Blogland and her loss has been a shock to everyone. She did not want the sympathy and sadness so she wanted her illness kept very private. So like her to not want her friends too know. She home with our Lord and at peace now.

Have a great week,
xo, Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Fun shot of your husband and what gorgeous scenery!

Ohmydearests said...

i loved reading this! your landscape photography is incredibly beautiful! the wild ponies image is my favourite though! have a beautiful week!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

A beautiful and very scenic place to visit.

Lea said...

Fascinating!
Have a wonderful day!
Lea

Pamela Gordon said...

A very interesting and informative post, Pat. The terrain does look very barren and harsh but it also has beauty. Thanks for sharing your road trips with us. Have a great week!

Fun60 said...

That terrain has a beauty all of its own.

Sharon Wagner said...

I'd love to take a photo safari there!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I love that picture of you and Vinny, Pat. How fun to be in four states together all at once.

likeschocolate said...
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Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I see many of your photos on FB Pat and sometimes think I've already left a comment on your link but I see I haven't this week.
That's a cute photo of your hubby with body parts in four states.
Sad about Sally, I often followed her around to leave comments as many people linked to both our memes.

Stef said...

The Four Corners area was my home. I grew up in Bloomfield, NM so all your beautiful pictures remind me of home. It's always interesting to me to hear others talk about the beautiful country. Growing up there you take it for granted. But thanks for reminding me of it's beauty.
PS...did you know that the concrete slab is actually off by a few meters....But it's the thought that counts.
PPSS...I'm so sorry for the loss of a good friend. That is hard. I am praying that friends and family can find comfort.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

The Four Corners is on my bucket list! Your photos are fabulous, Pat, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of this beautiful area. It's so different from what I'm used to and I find it fascinating.
I'm so sorry to hear about Sally, I didn't know her but can tell from what I've read that she was a wonderful person.
Now, I need to go back and catch up on what I've missed. It's been a busy time here and I've not been able to visit as much as I'd like.
Take care and have a good week! ~Cheryl

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, beautiful scenery!!

Sad to hear about Sally :-(

A Colorful World said...

We were there with our grandson on that trip to CO two and a half years ago! You got some great photos!

diane b said...

Sorry to hear about your blogging friend, Sally. It must be fun to have a limg in four different states. I must check out a map.

a writing place said...

Thank you for your comment in my blog.

Both of us being "Nana's"... You appreciate my "Nana Bag." :-)

Tessa

Rambling Woods said...

I am sorry for the loss of your blogger friend. We do connect out here as friends... These photos show a very beautiful if stark in some areas part of the country. Nice to see you and hubby..Michelle

Gemma Wiseman said...

Such breathtaking countryside, unsmudged by 'civilised progress'. A grand series of phtos.

Art and Sand said...

It's probably been 60 years since I visited the Four Corners. Thanks for reviving the memory.

thanks for sharing at SYC.

CountryMouse said...

What an amazing landscape and sorry for the loss of your bolgging friends.

Anonymous said...

I've always thought it would be fun to visit the Four Corners. Looks like you guys had a good time!

Nanda kumar said...

Awesome looks!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I enjoyed this so much. When we went to Mesa Verda we ran out of time and didn't get to go to the actual Four Corners, a fact which we very much regretted. I hope to someday. Really enjoyed this beautiful post.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

We have never been to Four Corners --but my sons were there with their Grandmother and Aunt MANY years ago --when they were young.... Back then, there was not a big monument like there is now....

What a gorgeous area of the country. We need to head back out there sometime to see Monument Valley and the Four Corners area...

Hugs,
Betsy

Jenny said...

I'm so sorry to read about Sally. She sounds like an amazing light in the world. So sad for your loss.

She would have enjoyed laughing at your post today, I suspect.

I thought, for just a moment, that your husband was doing a push up.

And then I thought, "Aha! He's playing invisible Twister!"

Thank you for linking to week 16 and for the big smile today!

My condolences again for your loss.

Sending you prayers and XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOX