Living in the shadow of the Grand Canyon, nature’s No.1 Wonder of the World, can be daunting. Just ask Canyon De Chelly (du Shea). About three hours from the Grand Canyon, this beautiful and stunning canyon is tucked away in a remote northeast corner of Arizona in the Navajo Reservation town of Chinle.
Canyon De Chelly is so remote, you drive along Highway 40 from Flagstaff east for about 155 miles before you get to 191 north. There are no signs for Canyon De Chelly. You just have to know it’s there. You keep driving on 191 and finally you arrive in Chinle.
Canyon De Chelly is a mini Grand Canyon. It has a lower case “wow” factor. It’s a place that needs to promote itself more. If you plan on going — and if you love natural beauty, you must see this place — get a trip ticket from AAA or Google online.
I never expected to see what I saw — red rocks, rock formations that looked like kneaded dough, cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians dating back almost 2,000 years. My 4-year-old granddaughter and I walked along the rocks above the canyon — she looking out for lizards, me looking around in awe.
Thunderbird Lodge is just outside the national monument. Unbelievably, it had free WiFi in the rooms. It’s rustic and it doesn’t have a pool, but it is clean and comfortable. The lodge also has a nice restaurant with good food and a gift shop. The restaurant is in the original trading post, which was built in 1896. An all-Navajo staff prepares the meals. It’s pretty much a dead zone for cell phones and there is no alcohol available on the reservation (for those of you who like a cocktail or a glass of wine with dinner).
Remote or not, Canyon De Chelly is more than worth taking the road less traveled.
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