If living with great vistas causes your heart to swell then I envy the Hopi and Navajo who live atop mesas. These elevated plateaus provide a perch hundreds of feet above the canyons and valleys. As I drove across their nations, I climbed and crossed three distinct mesas and could see forever into the distance. The people who live on these raised setting enjoy stunning views. However, from what I saw, their living conditions are poor. Here are examples of what I saw:
A couple of National Monuments were on my list for today.
The first was the Hubbell Trading Post which was started in 1878 and has operated continuously in the same way to the present. The shelves are stocked with staples, from the rafters are hung horse supplies, and as you walk around to select your purchases the wooden floor squeaks. This place is frozen in time and because it retains so much of its original character, it was made a National Historic Site.
The second site was Canyon de Chelly, another Puebloan city. This one was distinctive due to its cliff dwellings. What sets this site apart was the amazing canyon wherein it was located. The steep sides, the flat bottom, the availability of water all helped make this a safe and easy place to live. To see a few pictures of the canyon and dwellings click the picture below.
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