Best Road Trips In the World

[alaskaman]

In the navajo nation (north eastern Arizona and New Mexico) there are two roads that go west from Chinle (Chin lee) and takes a view of the Canyon de Chelly (Shay). Hwy 7 on the south rim. At the end of the asphalt in turns into dirt and traverses the nation to Window Rock via dirt and some ups and downs. No more than a single car either way so passing is out of the question.It is peaceful, not to challenging and full of interesting sights. Takes about 1 hour to get to Window Rock and Fort Defiance. If you go, say high to the local folks at Basha's grocery store and say Hello (yah-ta-hey). Navajo are friendly and open. Some elders prefer not to be looked directly in the eye and prefer a soft hand shake rather than a full on handshake. Try the fry bread at the local restaurant on the highway...Drive carefully...best time spring and fall. The other road N64 takes the north rim and goes to Tsaille (Sail lee). The Navajo College is located there. A beautiful building. Take N64 to 13 and Go west and 13 jogs north to Farmington NM. This leads to spectacular vistas of southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. 2 lane....easy. These two roads altitude is about 4,500 to 6000ft above sea level and in the winter are a challenge.

 

[Koz]

:worthless

Pics would be nice.

Koz

 

[alaskaman]

Ok...I hear ya...LOL.....try these of the canyon...see if they fit...1st attempt.. 4Runner at a Hogan (traditional navajo home)

 

[Briz65]

Beautiful Picture. As Forest Gump would Say: "I'm not a very smart man" Wheres the 4Runner???:biggrin2:

 

[alaskaman]

geesh you guys want it all dont ya:rocker:

I dropped it in the canyon.....actually the file was to large to submit......:bash:

 

[JSlack]

My wife and I stayed in Chinle a couple of nights last month, and took our Liberty down into Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto on a photographic expedition with a local guide. We had perfect weather, the area was drop-dead gorgeous, and The People were amazing. I also noticed the soft, almost limp style of shaking hands and wondered if it was a Navajo convention. Very memorable visit. All the Navajo I dealt with were very friendly and given to smiling and laughter.

Wanted to go to Shiprock, but we were heading in the other direction.

 

[alaskaman]

that handshake is designed for touching and sensing the other person. in the traditional culture it is used as a passing of gifts.....men shake hand women do not. the USA culture believes that a firm handshake is a sign of strength and a limp one is of weakness....the Navajo see it the other way around.....that there is no reason to prove strength.

 

[marjnap]

I took a cross country trip about seven years ago and camped all the way to California. We stopped at Window Rock and went into the Navajo library I belive it was. I loved it there, absolutely beautiful country. Thanks for the tips on different roads, I plan on going out again someday and it nice to have local insight. I like the south rim better then the north rim at the Grand Canyon. The north rim is too "touristy", I think the south rim is much quieter.

 

[mkaresh]

These places were also part of a trip I took, but in my case the trip lasted 5 months and the year was 1989. I was driving a Celica All-trac Turbo at the time, and on those roads could have used some additional ground clearance. Fun otherwise, the All-trac was much more entertaining on dirt than on pavement. The drive up Pike's Peak later in the trip was a blast.