Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Highway 163, Monument Valley, Arizona

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Highway 163, Monument Valley, Arizona. “Run Forrest Run”…  in circles. I spoke to a Navajo artisan, at his roadside stand, as to why people aren’t stopping in anymore. His answer “F*****g Forrest Gump. Everyone stops at mile marker 13 where Forrest Gump stopped running in the movie and they take a selfie.” Go figure. We watched a large group of bikers blocking the highway for multiple selfies, only to hop on their bikes moments later and head east. Another tourist ran in place while his partner made a video. A third, we observed, leapt up in the air, legs and arms spread as if announcing … I’m here I made it. WTH! A short distance west I stopped and made images of these donuts in the highway. I can’t imagine the motivation for these. I bought a little piece from a Navajo vendor. Thanks for looking. G

Highway 163, Monument Valley, Arizona

The Mittens, Merrick Butte, Car Headlights

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The Mittens with Merrick Butte and car headlights. Monument Valley, Navajo country at night. Many aspects of the southwest are stunning. This scene, with headlights from a truck driven by a Monument Valley resident is encumbered by the light pollution from distant towns. Farmington NM, Bluff UT, Cortez CO and more illuminate the horizon. The bright foreground light is pollution from the hotel on the valley rim, formally occupied by a campground frequented by large groups of German tourists playing western movie tunes on boom boxes. Things change. Thanks for looking. G

The Mittens, Merrick Butte, Car Headlights

Kokopelli, Monument Valley

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Kokopelli, Monument Valley. Stopped at one of the vendors and spotted this view through the rear of his stall where he sells his arts and crafts to the tourists. I have a whole photo essay and perhaps more than a lot to say reflecting on comments made to me by a number of the people we met in Monument Valley. Read more on Kokopelli here. Thanks for looking. G

Kokopelli, Monument Valley

Yucca Plant, Monument Valley, Utah

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Yucca plant, amidst a “forrest” of yuccas in Monument Valley, Utah. I’ve visited this most beautiful place a hundred times and it is always magical. I’m not an authority on the place but this is the first time I’ve seen so many yucca plants. Not only yuccas but so many other desert wildflowers are everywhere in this southwest super bloom year. Thanks for looking. G

Yucca plant, Monument Valley, Utah

White House Ruin, Canyon De Chelly, AZ

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White House Ruin in Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Arizona. It was wonderful and cool standing in the shadows of the White House Ruin in Canyon de Chelly today. It’s obvious to see why the original inhabitants built the dwellings where they did. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Take a tour some day with the guides at Beauty Way Jeep Tours. They will share their stories and home with you. Thanks for looking. G

White House Ruin Canyon De Chelly