Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01
- Thread starter PrincessInOz
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dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
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Great shots and Happy New Year!
dolphingirl47
In Search of the Tag Fairy
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The fireworks photos were stunning. I wish you a happy, healthy and successful year 2014.
Corinna
Corinna
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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Thanks Pam. I too am in awe of the cliff dwellings. I hope you get to tick the slot canyons and the cliff dwellings off your bucket list.
The friendships we form when we travel are some of the best memories I have. Looks like it's the same for you too. Sorry about your hosts of the B&B. It sucks growing old.
Thanks Angela. I still dream of the Nauvoo syrup with those pancakes.
Great shots! You are such a great photographer!
Still another 7 hours until we ring in the New Year here, I don't think I will make it that late!
Hope 2014 is a better year for you and your family!
Happy new year PIO! Awesome pics of the fireworks, as always
Thanks everyone. Hope you had a great new year yourself and may 2014 be a good year.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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The Corner of the 160 and 163
To all intents and purposes, we were travelling on Navajo Nation land and subject to their rules and regulations. Even though we were technically within the state of Arizona, we lost an hour somewhere along the 160 as the Navajo recognise Daylight Saving. At the time of our travel, Reservation Time, the same as Mountain Time, was one hour ahead of Arizona Time. Confused? So were we.....kinda. All I knew was that we needed to plan on getting to our final destination in plenty of time today.
We were also on territory where it was illegal to serve alcohol. Not that this rule worried either DH or myself as we were both the rarely-social drinker types. But for anyone travelling through Navajo Nation, just keep this in mind.
It didn't take us that long to get from the Navajo National Monument to the intersection of the 160 and the 163.
With a population size of about 5000, Kayenta is another one of those small community places that would normally appeal to DH and myself. But let's face it, Kayenta is not exactly a pretty place, is it? We needed to stop for gas and so it was always going to our lunch stop point.
As a convenient location to stop and due to its proximity to our final destination, it seems to thrive on tourist business. If the fast food joints are anything to go by, there must be a steady stream of traffic and people to sustain them. DS was urging us to walk into the Golden Arches; but I had another place in mind.
Basha's Dine Market was written up in Trip Advisor as a pretty decent supermarket to stop and pick up supplies. And it seemed to have one of those supermarket hot food counters that the TA reviewers said was worth checking out. One look was enough to convince me that TA reviewers are not always right. The food was pretty oily. Perhaps it was the fact that we got here later in the afternoon; but then again, maybe it's like that all the time. We were NOT going to be eating here.
Aside from MacDonalds, there was a Burger King, a Chinese restaurant and the place that ended up being the compromise lunch for all 3 of us. DS and I shared the chicken teriyaki sub.
DH? What else?
Oh.....and in case anyone is wondering, there was a very good range of groceries at Basha's. We ended up getting some microwaveable vegetarian and non-vegetarian dinner options here......just in case.....for later. The fruit and veg section looked okay too.
Then it was time to keep going. We weren't too far from where we needed to end up today.
(Continued in Next Post)
To all intents and purposes, we were travelling on Navajo Nation land and subject to their rules and regulations. Even though we were technically within the state of Arizona, we lost an hour somewhere along the 160 as the Navajo recognise Daylight Saving. At the time of our travel, Reservation Time, the same as Mountain Time, was one hour ahead of Arizona Time. Confused? So were we.....kinda. All I knew was that we needed to plan on getting to our final destination in plenty of time today.
We were also on territory where it was illegal to serve alcohol. Not that this rule worried either DH or myself as we were both the rarely-social drinker types. But for anyone travelling through Navajo Nation, just keep this in mind.
It didn't take us that long to get from the Navajo National Monument to the intersection of the 160 and the 163.
With a population size of about 5000, Kayenta is another one of those small community places that would normally appeal to DH and myself. But let's face it, Kayenta is not exactly a pretty place, is it? We needed to stop for gas and so it was always going to our lunch stop point.
As a convenient location to stop and due to its proximity to our final destination, it seems to thrive on tourist business. If the fast food joints are anything to go by, there must be a steady stream of traffic and people to sustain them. DS was urging us to walk into the Golden Arches; but I had another place in mind.
Basha's Dine Market was written up in Trip Advisor as a pretty decent supermarket to stop and pick up supplies. And it seemed to have one of those supermarket hot food counters that the TA reviewers said was worth checking out. One look was enough to convince me that TA reviewers are not always right. The food was pretty oily. Perhaps it was the fact that we got here later in the afternoon; but then again, maybe it's like that all the time. We were NOT going to be eating here.
Aside from MacDonalds, there was a Burger King, a Chinese restaurant and the place that ended up being the compromise lunch for all 3 of us. DS and I shared the chicken teriyaki sub.
DH? What else?
Oh.....and in case anyone is wondering, there was a very good range of groceries at Basha's. We ended up getting some microwaveable vegetarian and non-vegetarian dinner options here......just in case.....for later. The fruit and veg section looked okay too.
Then it was time to keep going. We weren't too far from where we needed to end up today.
(Continued in Next Post)
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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(Continued from Previous Post)
The Road Beckons
The road beckons
Point the car in one direction
Another stop, another amazing destination
I wish we had more time
The road beckons
Always there is more to see, more to do
More to Learn! More to experience
I wish we had more time
The road beckons
Are we tourists, travellers or world citizens?
Nothing feeds the soul and mind like travel
I wish we had more time
(Continued in Next Post)
The Road Beckons
The road beckons
Point the car in one direction
Another stop, another amazing destination
I wish we had more time
The road beckons
Always there is more to see, more to do
More to Learn! More to experience
I wish we had more time
The road beckons
Are we tourists, travellers or world citizens?
Nothing feeds the soul and mind like travel
I wish we had more time
(Continued in Next Post)
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
- Messages
- 108,006
(Continued from Previous Post)
The View, Monument Valley
We headed down the 163 to Monument Valley. It was to be our final destination for the day and this was one place that DH and I were looking forward to seeing.
The Utah State Line is just before the turn-off to Monument Valley; so I guess we made it into Utah on this trip.
DH and I had been here before; but all we had time to do was look at the valley from the visitor centre and that was the extent of our time at Monument Valley. So, not quite a re-do, Monument Valley was going to be totally new for us.
We chose to stay at The View Hotel; rather than the other options at Kayenta or at Goulding's Hotel. The View was not here when we last flew through; its been opened since 2008. DH and I figured that we are unlikely to be passing this way again so we were going to make the most of our opportunity this time. I checked in at the very modest Front Desk and asked for a room with the best available view.
The girl at the counter was pretty obliging and changed our assigned room for another one. It was further away from the lobby than the one we had originally been assigned.
I had chosen one of the Premium View rooms, with an unobstructed view of the Valley. It had been a bit of debate as to whether I would go with the Star/3rd floor room or one on the 2nd floor. I think the difference is that with the 2nd floor room, you can see the 3rd level floor from the balcony. With the 3rd floor room, you get an open view of the valley and the sky.
However, there was nothing wrong with the view we had. This is the view of the Front Valley from our balcony. From left to right, we're looking at the West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, Merrick Butte, and I believe that in the far right we have Spearhead Mesa with Elephant Butte in front of it.
To the right of our balcony, we're looking at Mitchell Mesa.
Our view to the left.
Our room was very comfortable. There was going to be ample space for all of us here.
The bathroom facilities were spotless.
And there was a little bar fridge and a microwave in the room; so if you wanted to bring supplies and eat in your room, you could do so. We unpacked ours that we bought in Page and Kayenta.
We didn't linger in the room as we had plans for the late afternoon. We made our way back to the hotel lobby area.
If you head out that far door, you'll head to the restaurant and the Trading Post.
I loved this carving!
The hotel isn't super large; but then there are only 95 rooms or so. They do book out early; so if youre planning on staying here, get in early.
The native Indian touches were lovely to look at.
I really liked the wood furniture scattered throughout the hotel.
We were told to wait in the hotel lobby for our afternoon tour. There were quite a number of us waiting, some impatiently, for the appointed time to tick by.
The View, Monument Valley
We headed down the 163 to Monument Valley. It was to be our final destination for the day and this was one place that DH and I were looking forward to seeing.
The Utah State Line is just before the turn-off to Monument Valley; so I guess we made it into Utah on this trip.
DH and I had been here before; but all we had time to do was look at the valley from the visitor centre and that was the extent of our time at Monument Valley. So, not quite a re-do, Monument Valley was going to be totally new for us.
We chose to stay at The View Hotel; rather than the other options at Kayenta or at Goulding's Hotel. The View was not here when we last flew through; its been opened since 2008. DH and I figured that we are unlikely to be passing this way again so we were going to make the most of our opportunity this time. I checked in at the very modest Front Desk and asked for a room with the best available view.
The girl at the counter was pretty obliging and changed our assigned room for another one. It was further away from the lobby than the one we had originally been assigned.
I had chosen one of the Premium View rooms, with an unobstructed view of the Valley. It had been a bit of debate as to whether I would go with the Star/3rd floor room or one on the 2nd floor. I think the difference is that with the 2nd floor room, you can see the 3rd level floor from the balcony. With the 3rd floor room, you get an open view of the valley and the sky.
However, there was nothing wrong with the view we had. This is the view of the Front Valley from our balcony. From left to right, we're looking at the West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, Merrick Butte, and I believe that in the far right we have Spearhead Mesa with Elephant Butte in front of it.
To the right of our balcony, we're looking at Mitchell Mesa.
Our view to the left.
Our room was very comfortable. There was going to be ample space for all of us here.
The bathroom facilities were spotless.
And there was a little bar fridge and a microwave in the room; so if you wanted to bring supplies and eat in your room, you could do so. We unpacked ours that we bought in Page and Kayenta.
We didn't linger in the room as we had plans for the late afternoon. We made our way back to the hotel lobby area.
If you head out that far door, you'll head to the restaurant and the Trading Post.
I loved this carving!
The hotel isn't super large; but then there are only 95 rooms or so. They do book out early; so if youre planning on staying here, get in early.
The native Indian touches were lovely to look at.
I really liked the wood furniture scattered throughout the hotel.
We were told to wait in the hotel lobby for our afternoon tour. There were quite a number of us waiting, some impatiently, for the appointed time to tick by.
With a population size of about 5000, Kayenta is another one of those small community places that would normally appeal to DH and myself. But let's face it, Kayenta is not exactly a pretty place, is it? We needed to stop for gas and so it was always going to our lunch stop point.
Kayenta!!!
Wow! They got a new gas station!
And a traffic light!!! WOW!
And a few other things!
When I went through that intersection, there was an old gas station, a dinner, and the inn!
Jud
The View, Monument Valley
We chose to stay at The View Hotel; rather than the other options at Kayenta or at Goulding's Hotel. The View was not here when we last flew through; its been opened since 2008. DH and I figured that we are unlikely to be passing this way again so we were going to make the most of our opportunity this time. I checked in at the very modest Front Desk and asked for a room with the best available view.
I recognize some of those views, but not The View! Wow! That place looks beautiful! Nice call!
Jud
declansdad
DIS Dad #639 New Brunswick, Canada
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Fantastic fireworks shots!
Happy New Year Princess!
Happy New Year Princess!
WanderlustNZ
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Now that's what I call a view! What a great hotel room.
zanzibar138
DIS Veteran
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I've been looking forward to this part of your trip
I happened to be researching Arizona and the Monument Valley yesterday, found The View hotel and wondered how it was. Now I know it's worth staying at
I happened to be researching Arizona and the Monument Valley yesterday, found The View hotel and wondered how it was. Now I know it's worth staying at
LegoMom3
WDW vet now exploring "Walt's Park!"
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O.M.G.....I *CANNOT* believe you stopped in Kayenta!!!!!!
Backing up about 30 years or so: on my family's trip to the southwest, we had been to the Grand Canyon. After that we were headed back to Colorado. It's quite a distance, so looking at a map, Kayenta proved (geographically) to be a perfect half-way stop-over point.
Let me say right here that 30 years ago, the only things there were the Inn (it was a Holiday Inn back then) and the gas station. No fast food, just the little convenience area in the gas station. We were so thrilled to see the Holiday Inn -- something "modern"and familiar!! Worst. Hotel stay. EVER. There were beetles of all kinds INSIDE the room. My dad had us up and out of there before sunrise. We stopped at the gas station for pre-packaged food (Hostess donuts or the like), and at that point we saw the sun come up over the flat desert horizon. (And THAT was the most stunning thing I have ever seen! The sun was deep red and HUGE as it rose....).
But again, so funny you ended up in the little hamlet of Kayenta on your States adventure!!
.
Backing up about 30 years or so: on my family's trip to the southwest, we had been to the Grand Canyon. After that we were headed back to Colorado. It's quite a distance, so looking at a map, Kayenta proved (geographically) to be a perfect half-way stop-over point.
Let me say right here that 30 years ago, the only things there were the Inn (it was a Holiday Inn back then) and the gas station. No fast food, just the little convenience area in the gas station. We were so thrilled to see the Holiday Inn -- something "modern"and familiar!! Worst. Hotel stay. EVER. There were beetles of all kinds INSIDE the room. My dad had us up and out of there before sunrise. We stopped at the gas station for pre-packaged food (Hostess donuts or the like), and at that point we saw the sun come up over the flat desert horizon. (And THAT was the most stunning thing I have ever seen! The sun was deep red and HUGE as it rose....).
But again, so funny you ended up in the little hamlet of Kayenta on your States adventure!!
.
franandaj
I'm so happy, I could BOUNCE!
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Nice view and good to see what the hotel looks like! I think I will enjoy staying there. So did you go with the 3rd floor or the 2nd?
I'll be curious to hear about your excursion. We definitely plan on doing the "heat some dinners in the microwave" deal while we are there.
The view from the room is awesome!
I'll be curious to hear about your excursion. We definitely plan on doing the "heat some dinners in the microwave" deal while we are there.
The view from the room is awesome!
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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Kayenta!!!
Wow! They got a new gas station!
And a traffic light!!! WOW!
And a few other things!
When I went through that intersection, there was an old gas station, a dinner, and the inn!
Jud
It actually stretches back for a little bit more behind Basha's. Mostly houses; and a school and maybe a church. I think there are a few more hotels in Kayenta these days.
And that intersection? Would you believe FOUR gas stations? One at each corner?
I recognize some of those views, but not The View! Wow! That place looks beautiful! Nice call!
Jud
It was a great hotel to stay. DH and I really enjoyed it there.
Happy New Year, Darcy. Thanks.
Yup. The view was worth it.
I've been looking forward to this part of your trip
I happened to be researching Arizona and the Monument Valley yesterday, found The View hotel and wondered how it was. Now I know it's worth staying at
If you're heading this way, I highly recommend it. The view cannot be beat.
It's a little more than a little hamlet these days. But there's still not much else there.
I'm happy to skip the beetles at the Holiday Inn.
Hehehehee... See??? I told you!
You did.
Great room and view at the View Hotel. We're taking good notes for our next trip through that area.
Excellent! Glad the TR will be of use.
OOPS! I went back and re-read that passage. I should have been more explicit. We went with the 2nd floor view in the end. I know it was a difference of about $20; but we used that towards breakfast instead.
And I think if I had my time again. I would stick with the 2nd floor.....the pictures from the balcony were fine.
Yes. The only regret DH and I had was that there wasn't enough time to stay longer. Heck.....we just wished we had more time for the road trip!
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