Mutton Stew & Frybread: October 2010. Day Trip from Shiprock New Mexico to Chinle Arizona's Canyon De Chelly

Standing in the tunnel along the Canyon De Chelly White House trail

This was our October 10, 2010 trip to Shiprock New Mexico to visit my brothers. During the trip I wanted to take Kates to Canyon De Chelly, in Chinle, Arizona. We left my brothers house in Shiprock, New Mexico. We stopped for a quick bite at the Taco Bell a mile down the road. I ate most of my food and Kates didn't even take a bite. We continued our journey and several miles into it we both felt sick. We decided to press on. From Shiprock there is two routes to Chinle. A 122 mile trip around the mountain through Teec Nos Pos, Red Mesa, Rock Point Round Rock, Many Farms, then into Chinle. And an 85 mile trip for the second and shorter route, From Shiprock, to Red Rock, Lukachukai, Tsaile, then Chinle, which we chose. Either way it was a 2 hour and 30 minute drive. Unfortunately for us Lukachukai Pass is on this route. Miles or high elevation and twisted roads up and down through the mountains. Beautiful landscapes and the smell of the trees couldn't distract us from the sickness. Kates needed to drive to prevent herself from becoming sicker, but being the one who always wants to drive that didn't help me. We eventually found a turn off and pulled over. We stopped at Tse Bitl'aa'i and Tse Yistl'ini. We took a few minutes to enjoy the landscape and to breathe in the fresh mountain air and get out of the car. While there we found a little lizard and took a picture as he basked on the rocks in the hot Navajo sun. After feeling like we could continue we jumped back in. I took over driving as we descended the mountain into Chinle. We finally arrived at Canyon De Chelly. We drove the canyon rim and stopped to take pictures of several ruins and areas of the canyon before we arrived at the hiking trail. Still feeling sick but not wanting to leave we chose to hike the trail down to the ruins. A narrow red rock trail consisting of steep slopes and switchbacks lay before us. We arrived at the bottom about 30 minutes later and spent the time enjoying the scene from below. The bottom is still occupied by Navajo families living in traditional hogans still growing and harvesting their own food, with no modern luxuries. The ancient ruins of the Anasazi People are a beautiful site. The site leaves you wondering how they got up there. Anasazi, Hopi, and Navajo symbols cover areas throughout the canyon. We started the hike back up feeling sick once again, the elevation was not a help. Stopping for breathers and to rest was the only thing helping. We kept smiles on our faces though for the pictures and enjoyed our time together. After arriving back at the car we decided to take the road around the mountains. It was good to see how much the small towns had grown since I last visited as a child. Several hours later, and I mean several, and over 200 miles later we arrived back in Shiprock. Feeling terrible we laid on the couches and were taken care of by my brother and sister. We felt terrible but it was so good to show Kates the Rez. My dad grew up there and her dad served his mission there so that was good to show her for those reasons as well. But next time if we feel sick, we are turning around!!!