The Navajo Nation’s Monument Valley Park is one of the most majestic, and most photographed, points on earth. The great valley boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet framed by scenic clouds casting shadows that graciously roam the desert floor. Every hour the sun and shadows shift creating another angle that accents these massive majestic formations. The park overwhelms you, not just by its beauty but also by its size.  The fragile pinnacles of rock are surrounded by miles of mesas and buttes, shrubs, trees and windblown sand, all comprising the magnificent colors of the valley.  All of this harmoniously combines to make a visit here a truly amazing and unforgettable experience. We were so very fortunate to have been able to stay at The View Hotel during our pass through the area. The name says it all and each room in the entire hotel has a balcony that faces the valley making the high price tag worth the splurge for one night. Watching the shooting stars and moonlight and then the sun rise in the morning right from the balcony was priceless. My only complaint is the lack of and quality of the food offered. There is only one restaurant on site and none within close driving distance so you are pretty much stuck eating there unless you bring in food. Meals are served almost cafeteria style and we were not aware prior to our stay that there was no alcohol served anywhere. I understand the decision on the part of the Navajo elders and it certainly wouldn’t have been a deal breaker but, had we known, we probably would have picked up a nice bottle of wine to share on the balcony after our long day in the valley. You also should know that visitors can pay an access fee and drive through the park on a 17-mile dirt road (a 2-3 hour trip) but be aware that parts of Monument Valley, such as Mystery Valley and Hunts Mesa are only accessible by guided tour. We did take the jeep tour – another splurge – but were not disappointed. Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us to a few remote spots. All in all, we had a great time in Monument Valley and if it isn’t on your bucket list…it should be!