Samir Shukla
Text by Samir Shukla
Photos by Mithi Shukla
Desert Spirits
We knew it was going to be hot. Traveling through the American Southwest in July guarantees that. We navigated the heat dome while driving through otherworldly landscapes through four states during our weeklong excursion.
The landscape is different. The sky seems different, out there in the Southwest. Arid scrublands are angled with buttes and mesas, giant rocks jutting out of the earth, and there are impossibly green bushes dotting the arid dirt. Tall distant rock walls look like desert fortresses. Sand is plentiful.
Dust devils emerge and quickly die out. This is where desert spirits dwell. Moument Valley is a park in the Navajo Nation.
The beauty of this land where classic American westerns have been filmed exudes a spiritual vibe.
It is like exploring a sister planet. No spacesuit is needed, but in the high arc of summer, a large bottle of water is a must.
A popular hike exposes desert life while a drive on the rugged 17-mile loop showcases odd formations at every turn. Driving on this loop is not for low riding cars. The road gashes, loose rubble and sand dunes will test even a most outdoorsy vehicle.
Linger for a bit. The desert spirits will reveal themselves.
Monument Valley spans nearly 92,000 acres across Utah & Arizona. The valley’s sandstone towers can reach heights of 1,000 feet.
