May 25, 2021 - Day Six, Flight One, Part One
Split Mesa, Canyon De Chelly

As always on this trip, I got up early.  I tried to Uber back to the airport but no one was available.  So I had to hoof it.  Unfortunately for me, the FBO building and my airplane is at the north end of the airport, and the HoJos was a quarter mile beyond the south end.  The runway is 7,316 feet -- over a mile -- so it took me 40 minutes or so to walk to my plane.  But the price was right.  And t he exercise certainly didn't hurt.

The front of the Terminal/FBO Building.
   
I took off heading northwest on a perfect day.  Little did I know that today would probably one of the most memorable, scenic flying days of my life!
   
As opposed to the barren, rocky desert east of Gallup, the northwest area was mostly green scrub-covered flatness.
   
By pure luck, I happened across this interesting spot just northeast of Red Lake called Split Mesa.  Sightseeing is the main point of this trip, so I descended to take a closer look.
   
I just flew around at 500 feet enjoying the view.
   
The air was absolutely calm this early in the morning.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Then I continued northwest across the flat, pine-covered land.
   
Until a gigantic fissure opened up in the ground.  It was the east end of Canyon de Chelly.
   
Looking west down Canyon de Chelly.
   
 
   
Approaching Spider Rock at left.
   
 
   
 
   
The sun was in perfect position behind me for the morning run.
   
 
   
 
   
 Canyon de Chelly was and is the stronghold and sanctuary of the Navajo.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
The canyon floor climbs as I approach the west end.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Lynnette and I toured Canyon de Chelly with a Navajo Guide back in 2011.  Link.  I remember the canyon floor being very sandy in the beginning.  Luckly we were in a four-wheel drive jeep.  I think on that trip we took the northern canyon -- Canyon del Muerto -- not the southern Canyon de Chelly I just flew.
   
Looking back at Canyon de Chelly.  All I can say is Wow!
   

I continued heading north-northwest.

Passing by the suburbs of Chinle.
   
 
   
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