Canyon de Chelly National Monument

We left Tuba RV Park shortly after 10:00 AM, stopping to top of the gas tank in the Lazy Daze ($2.989/gallon).

We traveled through the Hopi Reservation on SR-264, but didn't stop. According to a book I am reading by Fran Kosik, Native Roads, The Complete Motoring Guide to the Navajo & Hopi Nations, "Before spending any length of time in any village, permission should be obtained from the village leader" and "It is advisable to check with village community development offices before going into the village..." Of course, "any length of time" isn't defined -- is it one hour? Two? What? And just where, exactly, do we find the "village leader?" It sounded to us like the Hope really don't want outsiders visiting...yet, there are arts and craft places along the highway that appeared to be there for outsiders to visit.

The whole issue of asking permission to stop and visit was very off-putting to us, so we decided just to drive straight through to Cottonwood Campground in Canyon de Chelly (pronounced "shay") National Monument. This is a very nice campground...no hookups, but there is water and a dump available.

We had dinner at Junction Restaurant in Chinle. On the menu, they had several native Navajo dishes...I tried the Mutton Stew and it was excellent! Earl had Chicken Quesedillas, and they were also very good.

Miles driven: 152.6
GPS coordinates: N36.149417 / W109.541467