June 27, 2011 - Canyon De Chelly

The sky was solid overcast this morning.  But it wasn't moisture.  It was smoke from forest fires to the north.  Our rental car was covered in ash.

Out at Santa Fe Airport, we had to clean the canopy completely -- the entire plane was filthy.  

 
Fortunately the ceiling was 1000 feet above ground level and the airport was VFR.  There were a couple of temporary flight restriction (TFR) areas to the north so we took off heading south, heading for the distant band of clear blue sky under the layer.
 
Once we emerged from underneath the smoke cloud, I looked back and took this picture.
 
Today's destination was Chinle Municipal Airport (E91), which was close to Canyon De Chelly.  We were taking a guided tour of the canyon.  I paid a little extra and the tour guide picked us up and later dropped us off at the airport.   We flew over some pretty desolate country on the way to Chinle. 
 
Parked at Chinle.  There were no facilities at this airport. 
 
We stopped at the Visitor Center to get a permit before heading into the canyon.  Our guide was Leon Skyhorse.   Even though the Canyon is a national monument, it is private land owned by the Navajo nation. 
 
It was just Lynnette and I and the guide in this jeep.  Believe me, you need a four-wheel drive jeep in the canyon.
 
The canyon floor was very sandy and the jeep was really sliding around.
 
Leon gave us all the history of the canyon and the Navajo. 
 
P10
 
P11
 
P12
 
P13
 
P14
 
P15
 
P16
 
P17
 
P18
 
 
I was surprised at how busy the airport was.  There were three KingAirs on the ramp when we left.
 
It was early afternoon and we were headed for Gallup -- a short 20 minute flight.  Which was good because the air was a little bumpy.  We flew right over Canyon De Chelly on the way out.
 
Spider Rock, which we hadn't seen on the tour.
 
This shot gives you an idea of now big the canyon is.
 
 
Previous
Home
Next