The New York Times has a travel story on Monument Valley. Click on the title above for a link. (You may have to register to get the story.) Excerpts from the article:
"But in Monument Valley, the mythic narrative is shared. Yes, John Wayne slept there. And shot other men on film there. And fell in love there. See: "Stagecoach," the first John Ford western shot in Monument Valley, circa 1939. Or "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," from 1949. Or better yet, "The Searchers," from 1956.
The Navajos allow the John Wayne story to exist as a curious asterisk; after all, he portrayed Indian killers. But they express an appreciation of Ford for his passion for their land.
The Anglo part of the story is concentrated at Goulding's Lodge, a hotel and museum about two miles off Highway 163, the main road to the valley. Without the Gouldings ,Harry and Mike, married but not Brokeback Mountain cowboys, for Mike was a Western gal with an odd nickname , Monument Valley would probably be just another anonymous cluster of wind-sculptured monoliths. While trying to run a trading post at the depths of the Great Depression, Harry Goulding heard that a Hollywood director was looking for the perfect Western backdrop for his next oater. Goulding showed up at Ford's office with pictures of Monument Valley, and after a three-day wait, won him over. At least that's the story they tell at Goulding's. Print the myth. Stagecoach was the first of the Ford and Wayne collaborations that would use the old Goulding tent camp as its headquarters and Monument Valley as its cinematic canvas. The setting is jaw-dropping...."
WHERE TO STAY
"Goulding's Lodge, just across Highway 163, has 62 rooms with views back at Monument Valley. Spring rates, through the end of May, are $145 for a double room. 800-874-0902, http://www.gouldings.com/"
One of the best days of my life was spent at Monument Valley. Picture above is of me at John Ford's Points.
