Day 10, Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - Holbrook to Farmington

Didn't sleep too well last night because we don't adapt well to really firm mattresses.  Had a quick breakfast at a very overpriced McD's, and quickly headed off into the painted desert on BIA roads.  After a couple of hours through scenery varying from 'scenic' to spectacular, we arrived at Chinle, gateway to Canyon de Chelley (pronounced de shay, a Europeanization of the Dine' name tsegi).  This is a sacred place to the Dine' (Navajo) and important in their history.

We decided to tour the South Rim before lunch, intending to view (photograph) Spider Rock, home of Spider Woman, who taught the Dine' weaving.  We stopped first at the White House Ruin overlook, a view of an Anasazi site. 

Then it was on to Spider Rock, a pinnacle in the middle of a divide in the canyon.  We toured the canyon to here on our 30th Anniversary, and visited the overlook on our 35th.  We again took photos from the overlook this trip.

After lunch at the Thunderbird Lodge, our next stop was Lukachukai and the Totsoh Trading Post.  We had visited there before, in 2005, 2007 & 2012 (and had met a daughter of the family in the Phoenix area in 2006).  In 2012 I'd bought Sandra a small rug for our 35th Anniversary; today we bought another one.

After Lukachukai, we headed into a pass in the Chuska (pronounced chews' ka) Mountains.  At the top, we got a view of Ship Rock, the Rock With Wings, another place sacred to the Dine'. 

 Finally, we arrived in Farmington and the HIE.  A good Mexican dinner, download pictures, and to bed!  259 miles on the day, 2604 for the trip.  Tomorrow we tour the Aztec ruins and head for Albuquerque.