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.

I'm linking this post to the following blog events:

Amaze Me Monday, Mosaic Monday. Blue Monday, Through My Lens Monday, Life Through the Lens Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Good Random Fun, Nature Notes, Grand Social, Our World Tuesday, Ruby Tuesday, You're Gonna Love It Tuesday, Treasure Box Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Oh My Heartsie Girl . Wordless Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Warm Heart Wednesday, Share Your Cup Thursday, Friday Photo Journal, Skywatch Friday, Share It One More Time, Pink Saturday

Thank you to all the blog hosts!