It's the first X I've seen in there, but maybe there have been others...

For my birthday last week, me, the wife and 2 dogs went to Canyon De Chelly and stayed in the pop up. Some of the most beautiful land there is.
This is an overlook of the canyon junction and Chinle river.

It's a muddy, sandy mix that has quicksand all over. We drove 20 miles through the canyon and crossed the river about 50 times back and forth on our way to view Anasazi ruins. We were guided by a Navajo medicine man who has lived in the area his entire life.
The amazing thing is that he knew every spot that was quicksand and would direct us "cross here now!" and "cut across here and then swing around to the right a bit and then over there" It was incredible, because it all looked the same to us. Then we saw a Jeep try to cross wherever he wanted and started sinking - FAST! Luckily there was a Unimog that the Navajo's use for tours that was able to pull him out.
It was pretty scary trusting our guide and one time he wasn't paying attention and we got too close to an area, but other than that, we just barrelled through.

First pic ever of an Xterra in front of Anasazi ruins:


Me & the dogs:


Antelope hous ruins:


Navajo fortress:

Cool pics, beautiful scenery.

Brian,

Looks like a lot of fun. I've hiked down into the canyon a couple of times but I've never driven through there. Who do you contact to do that?

Beautiful

very nice pics...

I agree...I love the colors...

Sweet scenery and Xterra B! Always jealous

I need to move

gotta love the assholes who defame US national treasures like that.............

What was defamed?

"Then we saw a Jeep try to cross wherever he wanted and started sinking - FAST!"

yea- Canyon De Chelly is actually a National Monument. You're not allowed into the canyon with a vehicle unless you have a Navajo guide.
The person in the Jeep was Navajo but not a guide and was goofing around.

The Navajo medicine man I was with wasn't too pleased. It's usually $100 for them to ride in with you, but since we knew Howard (the Navajo medicine man) it didn't cost us anything.

I think he's referring to the graffiti looking mark on one of the old ruins. Really sucks that people have to deface historic items. I know some of the petragliphs in the CA desert are the same way with initials and other shit carved in among them.

Nothing worse than a Canadian with an opinion.


uhm just in case someone wants to get a beetle up their butts i was joking

Not to mention the swastika on the cliff in the 4th pic down....

Is "Howard" Navajo for "Howard" ?

The "swastika" is an ancient symbol, common in untold numbers of ancient civilizations.

It might be graffiti, it might not. Very possible it was an original wall carving . . .

Not a swastika (or however you spell it)

See how there is no bottom part going to the left?

He said it was a symbol meaning running man. There was another one around the corner surrounded by people and antelope.

Good thinking, my guess was "Carl."

Go FUCK yourself

Apparently Native Americans used the "swatstika" too.

http://history1900s.about.com/cs/swastika/a/swastikahistory.htm

Since one of the natives were guiding you I assume it was ok to take pictures. Some of the tribes around Northern New Mexico it is illegal and against their religion to take pictures of them or the land. They have every right to confiscate your camera. Even saw it happen once.

It's ok to take picturs of "things" but not of the Navajo or their homes. (unless you get permission and pay them)

Howard is actually sitting in the passenger seat in the pic with the X, but leaned back when I told him I was taking a picture of the truck.

He had alot of compliments for the Xterra and is a Nissan driver himself. Extended cab pickup.

PS- No props for advertising the XOC?

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