Canyon De Chelly

Some of the most spectacular cliff dwellings around are those in Canyon de Chelly.  At the bottom of steep sandstone cliffs, some 1000 feet high, the ruins of the ancients blend in with the environment.  Navajo families still live in the bottom of the Canyon, barely ekeing out a living on their farms - truly subsistence farming.

The way the winds erode the canyon walls reminded us a lot of the snow shapes in Iceland (yes, another comparison, but an apt one).  We also saw similar shapes in Canada and in Alaska.  Erosion is erosion no matter where on earth you are,  I guess!

The meeting of two canyons.

One of the set of ruins in the bottom of the canyon.

More ruins.

The wind-swept rocks.

Who me?  Keep your pets under control!