Canyon de Chelly, AZ—Dine' Country

[Christopher O'Brien]

Just returned from a whirlwind trip to New Mexico and Colorado. It was a successful trip on many levels. On our way back to central AZ, we stopped at Canyon de Chelly—one of my favorites spots in North America. In 1979 I stumbled upon a hidden alcove below the rim, overlooking the White House Ruins, and I have spent time at this spot all my subsequent visits.

We traveled out toward the end of the southern finger of CDC and visited the most famous rock formation—Spider Rock. This is probably one of the most revered spots in the canyon and the immediate area around this part of the rim is surrounded by the Navajo Rez. In 2009 I videotaped a rare flash flood waterfall (that entered at the upper right side on the rim) that poured millions of gallons into the canyon. You can see the tongue of erosion that swept the slanted sandstone clean of trees and grasses. A Navajo grandmother conducting a tour said she'd never seen a waterfall in this part of the canyon in all of her years. No one else had a video camera...

 

[owlman]

Beauuuutiful wow

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[pong]

These are incredible photos, Chris. Thanks for sharing! I'm looking forward to the day when you sneak back to Grand Canyon and find Kincaid's cavern and the contents within.

 

[Wade]

Is there anything noteworthy about that "cleared out" looking area down on the canyon floor ? It looks like there was a bunch of large ancient fire rings or something. Perhaps that is also from the flash flood? Where the white house ruins effected by the flood waters ?

Great pictures by the way. Do you post your pictures anywhere online?

 

[Christopher O'Brien]

Is there anything noteworthy about that "cleared out" looking area down on the canyon floor ? It looks like there was a bunch of large ancient fire rings or something. Perhaps that is also from the flash flood? Where the white house ruins effected by the flood waters ?

The Dine' farm the canyon floor and often a small creek runs through the Canyon. That is what creates the dried creekbed. You can hike down to the ruins but you have to ford the stream when it's running to get to the archaeology site. Its completely dry this time of year unless of course, a flash flood created by a thunderstorm hits the area.

 

[owlman]

Next time Chris, u gotta convince Gene to accompany u on one of these trips. I'm starting to wonder if Mr. Steinberg is real and not a synthetic android that is not allowed outside. My wife just heard his voice for the first time and exclaimed ' wow now that's a sexy voice'. Are there any photos online to go with that voice.? I told her 'no, only about 2 photos actually exist of Gene Steinberg' adding fuel to the speculation that your podcasting partner is in fact a robot.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[owlman]

Xx love u Gene

 

[boomerang]

Great pics, Chris! Making me homesick for the magically quiet scenery out west. Here's an idea: Why don't you and Gene do a podcast with video from somewhere in the San Luis Valley? Or maybe Snowflake near Flagstaff with Travis Walton? Ya' never know what might happen.

 

[Charlie Prime]

Pfffft. Those "photographs" are such obvious Photoshop™ creations.

 

[not even wrong]

Pfffft. Those "photographs" are such obvious Photoshop™ creations.

I bet that isn't even Chris's body! He probably just stuck his head through a cardboard back drop at his local Wal-mart. Busted!

Seriously though, those are some awesome pictures Chris.

 

[owlman]

The same trickster that is operating Robo-Gene is at work here I can feel it!

 

[Pigsinzen]

Thanks for sharing Chris. I'll have to put that on my bucket list. Absolutely breathtaking in the photos. I can only imagine what it looked like in person.

 

[michaelangel1453]

Chris, I think it was just the last episode you mentioned contemplating a trip, sort of an expeditionary one, into the one of the areas you visited in your hiatus. I'd certainly be interested in going along. Love the Southwest. Of course, I'd shoulder my fair share.

 

[michaelangel1453]

So, let me know if you get a bunch of guys together. Or, co-ed, but mean nothing salacious by that! I grew up traveling through the SW but never got off the beaten path as they were family vacations. But experienced enough growing up camping and hiking in some pretty wild areas in the West.

 

[manxman]

Just returned from a whirlwind trip to New Mexico and Colorado. It was a successful trip on many levels. On our way back to central AZ, we stopped at Canyon de Chelly—one of my favorites spots in North America. In 1979 I stumbled upon a hidden alcove below the rim, overlooking the White House Ruins, and I have spent time at this spot all my subsequent visits.

We traveled out toward the end of the southern finger of CDC and visited the most famous rock formation—Spider Rock. This is probably one of the most revered spots in the canyon and the immediate area around this part of the rim is surrounded by the Navajo Rez. In 2009 I videotaped a rare flash flood waterfall (that entered at the upper right side on the rim) that poured millions of gallons into the canyon. You can see the tongue of erosion that swept the slanted sandstone clean of trees and grasses. A Navajo grandmother conducting a tour said she'd never seen a waterfall in this part of the canyon in all of her years. No one else had a video camera...

Whatta a crappy T shirt, the back-drop is awesome tho.