Monument Valley from the North.

Monument Valley from the North. This view has been used in many movies, including "Forest Gump" and "Thelma and Louise".

Monument Valley from the visitor center. Notice for scale the tiny buses in the foreground. The formations to the left and at the center are known as "the mittens".

Monument Valley from the visitor center with me blocking the view. I can't remember if this was a self-portrait or if some nice person took this one of me.

I believe this is when I left the visitor center and actually entered Monument Valley. The dirt loop takes about two hours and is well worth it.

I hadn't planned on entering the park. After all, it's so dramatic just from the outside and from the Visitor's Center. But inside was a marvel, and well worth the drive. My little Toyota Camry rental was fine over the dirt road, but I did drive cautiously.

Monument Valley belongs to the Navajo Indians, who use it as their actual abode.

There were about 40 German bikers - couples in their 40s and 50s, roaring up and down Monument Valley. It detracted from the experience and made it more interestingly surreal at the same time.

Monument Valley - views abound.

Monument Valley - I believe that this is on the way out...

Monument Valley

Monument Valley - I can't wait to go back.