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Sam Antonio Photography | profile | all galleries >> Monument Valley (Tse' Bii' Ndzisgaii) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Wisconsin: America's Dairyland | A Photo Tour of San Diego (Gallery) | A Photo Tour of Orange County | A Photo Tour of the Disney Resort | New York City 2005 | California Central Coast | Across the Pond...The Best of Europe | The Magical Islands of the Philippines | In Box | A Photo Tour of Hollyweird | Wildlife & Nature (Gallery) | Sports (Gallery) | Road Tripping (Gallery) | National Parks (Gallery) | Day and Night in Jackson, Wyoming | A Photo Tour of Sedona, AZ | A Photo Tour of Washington, D.C. | Calico Ghost Town | Scenes from around Portland | A Stroll Through "Slow"vannah, Georgia | Come Fly With Me... | Another Perspective on Bosque del Apache | One Day in Santa Fe, New Mexico | Monument Valley (Tse' Bii' Ndzisgaii) | The Getty Villa | Upper Antelope Canyon | Viva Las Vegas! | Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die! | 36 Hours in Oahu, Hawaii | 36 Hours in Miami, Florida

Monument Valley (Tse' Bii' Ndzisgaii)

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Monument Valley (or as the Navajos call it Tse’ Bii’ Ndzisgaii) conjures up images of iconic western films namely because it was made famous by Hollywood director John Ford's films such as "Stagecoach" and "The Searchers" and his mainstay actor John Wayne. Even if you have never ventured to Monument Valley you would instantly recognize it due to the numerous movies, television commercials, music videos and print advertisements that have used this Navajo Tribal Park as a background. As a result, it is difficult to come away with some great photographs without having it be a cliche.

I always dreamed of making a pilgrimage to Monument Valley because I am a huge fan of the Western genre. Also, from a photographic point of view it is the apex symbol of the American Southwest.

Since this is a Navajo Tribal Park access is limited to a 17-mile self-drive circuit. The road is a bit rough in some areas but I drove it over the course of two days with a small compact rental car with ice in some places. My recommendation would be to take a guided tour to get an overview of the park and then come back later to do the valley drive to shoot in the best light. The closest accommodation to the park is at Goulding's Lodge just outside the park boundary. It's a little more expensive than accommodations in Mexican Hat or Kayenta but every room has a private balcony with superb views of the valley.

Enjoy the gallery and the accompanying travelogue! Leave a comment and please vote early and often!

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Photos and text copyright by Sam Antonio. Commercial use of photos restricted per Navajo Tribal Park regulations. Please feel free to download photos for your personal use. Please contact me click here to send me an email or leave a comment in my guestbook to let me know beforehand.
The Classic View
The Classic View
A Different Perspective
A Different Perspective
Monumental Moonrise
"Monumental Moonrise"
Moonrise over the Mittens
Moonrise over the Mittens
Run Forrest Run!
Run Forrest Run!
Where the Legend and legends were filmed
Where the Legend and legends were filmed
John Ford's Point
John Ford's Point
Frame within a Frame
Frame within a Frame
The North Window
The North Window
A View from Artist's Point
A View from Artist's Point
Icon of the American Southwest
Icon of the American Southwest
Big Hogan and Indiana Jones
Big Hogan and Indiana Jones
Ear of the Wind
Ear of the Wind
Ear of the Wind in B&W
Ear of the Wind in B&W
Goulding's Tours
Goulding's Tours
Movie Set
Movie Set
Looks like a Car Commercial!
Looks like a Car Commercial!
Totem Pole
Totem Pole
View from Goulding's Lodge
View from Goulding's Lodge
John Wayne Country
John Wayne Country
The Duke
The Duke
Howdy, Pilgrim!
Howdy, Pilgrim!
Sam's View from Goulding's Lodge
Sam's View from Goulding's Lodge
17-Mile Valley Drive
17-Mile Valley Drive
Camel Butte
Camel Butte
Alfred Hitchcock Side Profile
Alfred Hitchcock Side Profile
Female & Male Hogans
Female & Male Hogans
Three Sisters
Three Sisters
Woodstock
Woodstock
On the Road Again
On the Road Again