Many folks Ride the Southwest out of Sedona and miss one of the most enchanting and enriching experiences you will ever have. “Reservation Rides” from Sedona are a combination of blasts through high plains desert to three Native American destnations and each one is a treasure. So, once you’ve ridden Route 66 and have the Grand Canyon out of your system, try these:
1. The HOPI Mesas: Head north on SR 87 from Winslow across the Painted Desert to SR 264 and there they are. Three Hopi Villages on top of three mesas: Walpi (below) is a Hopi village atop first mesa. This is a ride the delivers you into another culture and people, where you can stay the night, have a HOPI meal and leave a little different than when you arrived.
2. Canyon De Chelly (pron. “Shay”): Head from the Hopi Mesas east on SR264 and then north on SR191 to Chinle. Make sure to stop into the Hubbell Trading Post about 10 miles beyond the turn to Chinle in a place called Ganado. The Canyon de Chelly is a kind if miniature Grand Canyon, and it sustains a living community of Navajo people, who farm its floor. This is Spider Rock (below) that provides a sense of scale. Priceless!
3. Monument Valley: North from the Canyon de Chelley on SR 191 to Bluff, Utah, then west on SR 163 to enter the Valley from the North which is the most spectacular direction to see it from. You’ve seen Monument Valley in movies and in the one that plays in your head about the awesome, barren beauty of the Southwest. This is Navajo Reservation land and worth the ride, although stops at roadside craft stalls will bring you back to earth relative to the economics of making a living out here.
