Kayenta's my home town. GO MUSTANGS! At 2:48 the rock formation left of the water tower is called the Toes by the locals. Used to climb up there a lot as a kid. The water tower is actually mentioned in Edward Abbey's classic, The Monkey Wrench Gang. In the book, the environmentalists blow it up. Black Mesa (the mesa that looms over the town to the south) is one of the world's largest coal deposits. When I was a kid, most people worked up there at the Peabody Coal mine, which powered a power plant over outside of Page, where the electricity was sent to Vegas and Los Angeles. Ironic that the Navajo electric infrastructure is so poor, while they're generating power for the the largest cities in the West. The Navajos have been treated VERY poorly.
I’ve been through the four corners region on a road trip 2 years ago, beautiful scenery. I have been wondering ever since what are those cylindrical buildings all over Navajo Nation?
@@zono9045 the one story round buildings are called hogans. Traditionally they face the east and are the Navajo homes. Now there are many 'stick built' homes, but many Navajo families are building hogans again on their land.
They're the traditional shape of Navajo homes, Hogans. Octagonal, originally made out of stacked logs and mud. One room communal living with a wood stove/heat in the center of the room. Front door usually facing east.@@zono9045
Absolutely what has been done to the Navajos and other native American tribes is atrocious. Its galling when I hear some aggrieved groups whine how bad they had/have it, and some of their members are multi millionaires, when I look at how native Americans have historically been treated.
I lived on the Navajo reservation for 3 years while working with the New Mexico state property department. I really enjoyed myself because we were 60 mi from any town. Lived by the Toadalina School and the Newcomb trading Post which burnt down a number of years ago. This was back in the mid '70s, I came from Albuquerque New Mexico and a very wildlife and living out there really brought peace to me. The people are very friendly once they get to know you and will become lifelong friends. They have a totally different way of looking at the world and how it is and I learned a lot from them
I wrote a blog called Stranded in the Navajo Nation, detailing my few days there when my car broke down. The only good thing was I got to meet a lot of Native Americans, and learned a lot.
I and my husband (we were dating at the time) came through Kayenta, AZ the last week of December 1996, on the way to the Four Corners National Monument. It was a very eye-opening experience for me. Because of this particular trip, I ended up studying Native American tribal entities, and as a result, was part of a Native American non-profit organization in No. California years later. The Dîne (or Navajo) people are a fascinating group of individuals. I have come to know some through the American Tribal Association of Libraries and Museums (ATALM) in the 2010's and 2020's. The Navajo are good, helpful, and respecting people. Thanks for posting this video!
ROFL @ Four Corners National Monument ... You do know that the monument is located several miles from the actual point where four states touch don't you ?
Kayenta was founded in 1909 when one of the Wetherill brothers started a trading post there and the town grew from that into what it is today. Previously the Diné (Navajo people) never lived in villages and towns but in family camps scattered around the area. Some still do. It is unfortunate that you didn't visit the many museums in Kayenta or talk to someone familiar with the area who could answer some of your questions and I hope that you visited Monument Valley Tribal Park just up the road aways.
There are few businesses because generally Natives do not own their land or home, so they are unable to mortgage their assets to have a business. That is a sure way to keep them locked in poverty. Some on the Bavaho rez don’t even have water piped to their homes. Smh
Kayenta began its Township status and recognition in 1986, but it has always been a community called Kayenta long before that. As a kid in the 70's, we'd go through this community on our way to visit relatives in Shiprock. As far as I'm concerned, it's an old community that's been there a long, long while.
Always a real treat watching the two of you. I always call it my road trip of the week because I get to experience the travel through the eyes of you two! 😄😄
I once was dating a Navajo gentleman. He showed me all around his hometown. I fell in love with it. There's an area where there's a side of a cliff where the water was seeping thru. It was cool. And all the wild horses that roam freely. Oh and I got to see 2 mexican black wolves. I felt like I was in heaven. I so love the wildlife.
Not only are you two such a cute couple and work well together, but your videos are always so fascinating to watch. There's something informative, yet relaxing about your commentary, I truly enjoy all of your videos. I cannot wait to see the St. George video as I've driven through there a number of times and absolutely love that area. Safe travels!
We were invited to spend the night with the Navajo in 1979. Amazing experience. Things have changed since we were there. We visited Monument Valley and 4 Corners. Your channel is awesome. You have great taste and an appreciation for older architecture. Thank you for taking me back to one of my favorite places in America. Lots of new home construction. No traditional Hogan's in sight😢 Thank you again ❤❤❤❤
Back in 2006-7, my wife and I rented a motorhome along with her cousin and her husband. We had our young kids with us as well. We drove North from Phoenix up through the reservations to Monument valley to camp. The cousins husband loved to have cocktails each night and ran out of booze. We were passing through the reservation. We stopped by a Bashas grocery store on the reservation. We had no idea at the time that reservations were alcohol free. As we walked through the store, we asked an employee who was an indian where the liquor department was. The look he gave us I'll never forget. He said "reservations are alcohol free"! Man, we felt super stupid. Lots of beautiful country in Arizona, Utah and Colorado.
Yet the ditches out of town were filled with 40oz bottles of malt liquor when I lived there in 2011 to 2012. Dry is for the people who don't really need it to be dry.
Here in the UK we have Ponies wandering onto the roads in the New Forest in the south of England, an area covering about 32 square miles. They are owned, but they roam through the forest and only get rounded-up about once a year. Love the videos, such a great insight into all the areas.
@@wisdommorepreciousthanrubi8321 That's interesting. I'd think there'd be people hunting the cattle and pigs if they're just roaming free. That's a lot of expensive meat just wandering around.
I was a Teacheron the Navajo Rez for many years. I live in Tuba City and in Chine. Most of the better home you see are for Teacher housing or Nurses housing. There are not many good paying jobs for the Navajo people on the Rez. The are is very beautiful, but it can be dangerous driving at night. There is no fencing and Livestock are free to roam around.There are a lot of old Uranium mines left and have created a hazard to the people who live near them. I have great respect for the Navajo people and the Reservation and still have many friends there. Great video.
the tradition of the 'lawn' is a European affectation borrowed from the English garden, obviously not shared on a Native reservation. i've heard it said that lawns were kept here to provide a visible space to deal with pests and vermin in early homesteads. i'd bet that no one on a reservation can see the use of wasting all that water. beautiful earrings.
Life on the reservation is uniquem Chinle is a town that is also interesting. Most of the houses are government built. Excellent vlog. I think you are good ambassadors for towns.
@@FB-gm6el I lived there 6 yrs. There are some friendly people there but if you are not Navajo you will feel unwelcome. At least I never felt welcomed there. I lived in Africa as a kid. I felt welcomed there.
See something like this, and you can not understand why some black people are yelling for money for past slavery, none were slaves. These reservations, a lot of them, are run down after thoughts. Their roads are dirt, their drinking water full of lead, the addictions and crime high. If you think they are swimming in money. Homes reflect wealth. Those are run down mobile homes. The cars around just as old. These people are not swimming in savings and wealth. Federal money should go to fixing up the reservations, if anything, not too a spoiled few who want more handouts.
@@frogfan583 believe me there is plenty of federal government monies going into the reservations. Free healthcare from birth to death. Good public education. Often free university studies if they are willing to go. But the land is BIA land for the most part. Lots of paperwork and money to get housing. The tribal government require 10% of gross business income so most businesses won’t lease on the reservation. It is also harder to buy a mobile home or cars because if they don’t pay you can’t just go onto the reservation and repossess. Their own people are screwing them over by keeping business out.
Was trying to find more about the wild dogs and horses you saw driving through town. According to somebody on Reddit, "Culturally, dogs aren't "owned" and therefore not given collars. They are free-range but still may be cared for by a particular family. On the Rez, the sovereignty and spirit of the dogs is honored." Horses are a similar but more complicated story, not only because of their association with the Navajo origins story, but I'm reading that wild and feral horses are a problem throughout the west and not much agreement on how to solve the problem. No info on cats, but Nic's take on it was funny and insightful, as usual.
@@travisadams4470 I don't think I said beliefs, I said "story" as in history. It's something I read in one of the websites when I was trying to gather information. I'm no expert. I was just looking to learn
@joycelebaron2582 "horses are a similar, but more complicated story, not only because of their association with the Navjo origins story" But do keep learning about the Navajo origins story. It's very fascinating.
Very interesting video. I have to say that you are so very observant and your dry humor is hallarious! My husband and I often love to drive through the reservations. They live very comfortably and real. No one trying to keep up with the Joneses here. This was a nice tour of Kyenta, AZ.
Hi Joe & Nicole- thanks for this one- very interesting and also it was a very clean place. Love the horses and dogs running free ! Cheers, from CY in OZ🙃
Another great video giving us Brits an insight into the indigenous population, have been not too far from your location in Arizona back in the day at the Petrified Forest area and had a great time
If you're interested in some really interesting videos on the reservations you should watch Peter Santanello, he's done a few videos on different tribes & reservations & he has a unique style & shows people's real stories. Also did an amazing series through Appalachia.
I moved to Kayenta 11 years ago from Minnesota. I didn’t last 10months. I got so depressed I was physically I’ll. I moved to Phoenix and lived there for 20 years. I’m back to Minnesota since Spring.
I've lived in Durango for 25 years with the Ute and the Navajo. I'm from Texas. Texas is way more "civilized". But the nations are more in tune with nature. It's beautiful country.
I grew up in Cortez and now live in Mancos ... The only nature I really have ever seen the tribes around here in tune with .. is the canyons, ditches, alleys and sagebrush flats full of wine bottles and old mattresses and broken glass ... where they pass out ... The alleys and parks of Cortez have been cleaned up somewhat... but now they just wander out into the sage brush behind Walmart to spend the night .... I am not being mean, for I often do what I can to assist them.. But after 63 years of watching the generational curses and poverty on the Rez ... I don't see how you can say they are "in tune" ... There are some more educated of course, but they are just like you and I .... I know many very well.
They don't need restaurants with traditional food because they make it at home. Also there were probably people living there before it was formally incorporated as a town, that's why it looks older in places. The many coloured homes were pretty, I wonder why so many were boarded up? It is a pretty town, thanks for sharing, your videos are always interesting! Glad you are documenting all these intriguing little places.
Kayenta started as a trading post in the 19th century and people started to live there after. The oldest part of the town is the "hill" area, behind where the video starts.
When a person moves out of their home, they either have to transfer home site lease to a relative, or give it back to the tribe. Then the tribe typically just boards up the houses because they don’t want to spend the money to maintain them until someone applies for that particular homesite lease. The application and approval process sometimes takes a decade. Lots of red tape because not only does a person have to jump thru Navajo government hoops, they also have to deal with the BIA and US government BS.
I have never been to the desert or Indian reservation. This was a cool video. The roaming horses and dogs added to the beauty of the landscape. I liked the multi-colored homes too. It was nice to see the toys and souvenirs available in the gift shops. I’d agree with your assessment about the overall availability of these items. Thank you for showcasing this beautiful area!
I enjoyed this video since we drove through Kayenta on our way to Lufkin, TX a few weeks ago. We stopped at the grocery store to grab a few items for our cooler. It was a nice store on the inside as you suspected. I can't wait to see your video on St George. We passed through St George on our way to Kayenta and pondered the idea of living in St George. Looking forward to it. Safe travels.
Those brightly colored roofs if they're metal that's the way to go. Never have to replace them like an asphalt shingle roof and they don't catch fire from embers floating in the air.
My husband and I were on an extended road trip March of 2023. We stayed overnight at Kayenta in a nice hotel at the end of town not far from the grocery store. We stopped at the grocery to pick up some snacks and something for breakfast the next day. We parked at the hotel and got out of the car and immediately there were 3 stray dogs at our feet..they were not aggressive in any way and my animal loving husband had soon made friends with them all. After we got into our room we noticed they all stayed by the entrance to the parking lot until another car entered and went to give those folks the same greeting they gave us…
You should look into the rules for Native Americans to own land. The Government holds land in trust so the government holds title to the land. This Trust rule goes back to 1830’s. Also look into whether they have water or have to have it shipped in. The SCOTUS just ruled that water doesn’t need to be available to Navajo in a water rights dispute. Also how far away is the nearest town for jobs? Most Reservations are far away from everything for a reason.
Yes, when my Great Grandfather died, the government took my Great Grandmother's land away from her, in Chambersburg, Pa. They said she couldn't own any land because she was Native American.
I’ve been there. Was at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab and talked to a nice Navajo woman and her kids who were passing through town. Had no idea I was so close so I spend a couple days traveling south and checking out the area. Some of the most beautiful country I’ve seen but yes the poverty is apparent on the reservation. I had a talk with a guy selling kneel down bread out of his trunk along the road by shiprock. He was struggling to get by. The people I met were very kind. I was telling him it was the most beautiful area I’ve ever been. After leaving I was thinking that’s a stupid thing for me to say. Sure it’s beautiful as a tourist with a pocket full of money but there is no real industry in the desert. Would be a hard life for the people trying to live there. Do look forward to visiting again.
We stayed in Kayenta hotel and found the navaho staff amazing ,some dressed in native attire. Great place to see Monument Valley and Bluff area. Wish I was back there. On driving to Page came across car boot market run by Navaho people and made to feel welcome . People pure of spirit and at one with the earth.
Wild, feral actually, horses are a thing in the southwest. I used to live in Nevada and we had thousands of them. They were all over the place. Don't mess with them especially the nursing mares, they will ruin your entire day.
I’m Cherokee and I was raised in Phoenix Arizona. My younger son is Navajo or Dine’. All those dogs are REZ dogs. They are always on reservations and the native people definitely know about them. There are so many jokes. We’re a very funny society and we have a Lotta jokes about those dogs.
I want to thank you two for your respectful viewing of a large Indian town, the homes of our sacred indigenous brothers and sisters. We have been here 400 years while they approach something more like 40,000 years.
The Navajo, Apache, and other related Athabaskan speakers have been in the U.S. Southwest desert for about 900 TO 1,100 years after migrating from central Canada. [[ looking for a warmer climate ]] Who knows how many Millennia they have been in North America though........
I was born in Oklahoma and the ancestry on my mother’s side goes all the way back to when the state was Indian Territory. My grandmother was full Choctaw, so I have quite a bit of Native American blood in me. Hard to tell, I know, because of the Irish on my father’s side, but I do have nothing but respect for Native Americans.
@@brittongodman7769well we know they’ve been on North America longer than around 11,600 years when they crossed from Siberia. I guess I could be wrong but I’m fascinated with Hispanic and native American people. They are like an experiment in human evolution. Being cut off from the majority of the human species for 11,000 years. So neat
Arizona Native and have have driven through and visited Monument Valley many times, the area is very unique and worth a visit. In the past you can help the local native population by taking a Dinosaur track tour that are in the area throw them $20 after the tour. I do think this is closer to Tuba city.
👍Wow ! Those beautiful skies: they look like the boldly-painted scene-boards from a 1950s Technicolor movie that were hung artificially low in the studio for camera-zoom sizing. But they're real. 👍
I believe the simplicity of the unmanicured landscape is what truly gives it that wild, but beautiful scenery. I loved the colorful houses and the wild horses were really awesome. The hotel looked really nice and the food looked delicious. Just like you end your video with a meal, I always watch your videos with dinner. Somehow it just seems the best choice. Looking forward to your next video. Until then stay safe and God bless. Steve in Oklahoma
There are small Mormon towns scattered throughout the desert. You can tell you're in a Mormon town because every house has a nicely manicured green lawn. I'm not sure why that is.
I used to have an Apache lady who was a pen pal to me. She lived on a reservation just outside of Peridot Arizona. I've wondered about her for years. I miss her. Her name was Patricia.
while traveling by train in Japan i noticed modern homes having the same brightly colored roofs as you pointed out in this video. They are quite lovely.
Thanks Joe and Nicole this was very interesting and I agree with your point of a different kind of beauty. A stark rough kind of beauty. Utah is another example of what I would call a harsh beauty. I spent 10 days at age 17 doing volunteer work home improvement on an Indian reservation in northern Wisconsin but that was my only visit to a reservation and as you would imagine it looked very different. I love your videos and laid back narration. I had a thought while queuing this up. I have visited 38 states but one I haven't been to is Alaska and I doubt I will. I would love to see you guys go there in the future. Thanks again.
Not surprised at all of the cost of the earrings. My husband visited our son in Grand Canyon. They went through the museum and he picked me up a pair of earrings. Genuine Silver and turquoise and made by Native Americans. The turquoise of each earring is a pea size and cost $220. The price has gone up so much as it’s becoming harder to purchase the raw turquoise and driving the cost up. A lot of places sale jewelry and say it’s turquoise but isn’t genuine. But that’s with buying it in general online from who knows where.. you are helping families to support themselves so I’m sure your happy every time you wear them;) and you can actually say they are authentic Native American. By law no one or company can put on the product “authentic Native American” unless the one who made it is a member of a registered tribe with the federal government.
Joe & Nic, you have visited my hometown! Thank you for sharing the wonderful tour with the world. I live in Las Vegas NV now. It's good to see this video on TH-cam. Thank you again. Ahe'hee..(thank you)
Once again an amazing contrast between the northeast and the southwest. I believe all the horses you encounter are wild horses. There's a lot of wild horses in areas like that. My son and his wife lived in Phoenix and they'd take drives out to the desert and mountain areas and they said there are wild horses everywhere. I believe they are protected by law and that's why they roam freely. Another great video Joe and was happy to hear Nicole with you. Thank you as always 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻🤠
That was a beautiful healthy looking colt. I liked how the horses roamed freely. But I think life must be hard there? Probably not much rain and imagine trying to grow vegetables or flowers.
I met a Navajo gentleman at the Indian market outside of Santa Fe. He sold me a reallly cool Navajo bracelet that I still wear to this day. That food looked pretty good at the hotel! Navajo Country looks like an interesting place to visit for sure. Love the sky in that part of the country.
Though the township was created in the '80s, Kayenta has been a place for longer, and is mentioned in the American literary classic "House Made of Dawn" by N. Scott Momaday who wrote the novel in '68. (most of the novel takes place in New Mexico & LA). We spent several nights in Kayenta in 2021 in order to visit Monument Valley. They do have quite a few amenities, the people were really nice. It did seem quite remote, but that's what makes it cool.
I am retired from an Auto and Home Insurance Co. that have been for 22 years Orange County, California. I want to move out of the City, and move to Las Cruces, New Mexico. I remember when I used to go to my Grandmother's house and stay with her in El Paso, Texas. On our way there we would stop in Las Cruces, and I always loved the view of the Organ Mountains. I just cannot believe how much it has grown now. There are beautiful New and Old Homes there. I am also looking in Palm Springs with beautiful Mountain Views in the background also. Stayed there for 3 days in downtown with a room with a view of the mountains from the balcony at the Hyatt Regency. It was worth the stay in a suite. Love your show.
I've driven through Kayenta several times en route to or from Monument Valley. I think I may have stopped for gas or to grab an Indian Taco and been on my way. I guess the horses are an adequate substitute for cats...this time, anyway 🙂. The free-roaming dogs are the reason you never want to go for a bike ride in places like that...unless you can pedal real fast. I trust you ventured a bit further down the road to see Monument Valley?
Kayenta has been there much longer than 1986- that may be when it was incorporated. We’ve been traveling that area since the 50’s- already a town then.
Pronounced "KAY-en-taa". We call it K-town. Used to be a big farming community way back in the day. It was a huge coal mining town. Yes, water rights is a huge issue in Northern Arizona - as long as Phoenix gets their water first. The town is slowly dying. You should visit Piñon next.
On the rez we play Indians and Cowboys lol I just wanted to say thanks for the cool vid. Oh if you want the real deal authentic foods, look for some vendors on the weekend, should be a flea market. You could try some delicious mutton hehe, thanks to the Spaniards for bringing us sheep, and English who gave flour that we make into frybread.
See something like this, and you can not understand why some black people are yelling for money for past slavery, none were slaves. These reservations, a lot of them are run down after thoughts. Their roads are dirt, their drinking water full of lead, the addictions and crime high. If you think they are swimming in money. Homes reflect wealth. Those are run down mobile homes. The cars around just as old. These people are not swimming in savings and wealth. Federal money should go to fixing up the reservations, if anything, not too a spoiled few who want more handouts.
My girlfriend and i watch every video together and i love the variety. Going from the Midwest , to rhe northeast back to texas and the southwest is great.
What's also fascinating about those houses with hardly any widows and no attics is I see no swamp coolers or mini-split HVAC systems on the outside. Unless they have regular HVAC systems and ductwork inside.
We do the same thing with deer up here in northern Wi. A couple of toots can save your cars' front end. My wifes' cousin lives on a reservation and his house, his car and money are given to him from proceeds from the local casino. This leads to not caring about your property because you don't own it. Most reservations are nations unto themselves and they can set their own laws. The houses looked to be mostly double wide mobile homes and pre-fabs with plenty of single wides thrown in. Great video, liked it much.
Beautiful scenery. The Indian homes on the reservation were interesting with not many windows. I noticed the pickups were all too tall to go in the garages. Joe, your meal looked good. They sure do like fry bread out there. lol Nic, the earrings were a great souvenir. Thanks
That is hysterically ironic to see "cowboys and Indians" toys at a reservation of all places. They probably know people would buy it for that bizarre story of how they got it. PS good to see apparently wild horses. Might be a bronco in there..
Looks like you'll be traveling through Page and the beautiful drive through the Vermillion Cliffs. Nice video. I can almost taste that addictive green chile. I just ordered 10 lbs. of green chilles from New Mexico.
I'm white and live in the newer houses shown at 11:00 12 years ago. That was all that was available for me when I worked there. It was run by HUD, and was very poorly managed. The homes had to be boarded up or locals would break in and trash the homes. The home next to me and across the street from me were destroyed on the inside when the doors were kicked. I went in the one across from me after a few months of the door being kicked in and the walls board was torn down, everything smashed, carpet destroyed. Water was free, and some people grew gardens. I was told the Mormon Church would help people with that if interested. I tried to grow lawn and garden in the fall when I arrived. Th garden went well the following summer, but the lawn was destroyed by sand. Being on the west side of the property the spring wind (which was bad all over in the region) scoured the soil and left huge piles of sand all over anything that held it. So, my lawn was buried under 4 to 6 inches of dirt, and there was a huge dirt pile left in front of the house. A 10 foot wide, 3 to 4 foot deep channel was scoured by the wind, that winter and spring, from along the road on the west side of the property. Also, the cattle over grazed the land to the west and grass that was left ended up being on pillars 1 to 2 feet high, with the soil being blown away.
Did you check the food prices and selection? Gas prices? We have to drive 2/3 to get groceries and other necessities.I have to drive 50 miles to check the mail. We are in the high desert and it snows.
Tires on top of trailer are for melting the snow off the roof faster. That rubber begins to get hot immediately when sunlight hits it. Keeps the roof from caving in.
Beautiful skies out there, that's for sure. A real stark beauty. From Google Maps, it looks like the main road looks just like most other American towns, with fast food joints, etc. According to City-Data, the main industries are : Educational services (26.5%) Accommodation & food services (16.1%) Mining, quarrying, oil & gas extraction (12.3%) Health care (8.8%) Construction (7.8%) Public administration (5.6%) Food & beverage stores (5.3%) And don't even tell me you're going to Colorado City and Hildale next!
I have a cousin living in New Mexico who frequents the Navajo Nation 🧿. He's also traveled through St. George on his way to Vegas. Just returned recently from a trip to Istanbul, Turkiye 🇹🇷 .
Nice, gorgeous country. Was that a common area for horses...smart. Wise "landscaping" too. Swept yards keep fires away, bare soil inhibits pests. Why piddle around a false yard when you have 360 skies and sandstone looking remarkable all around.
It is very interesting for a Spaniard to know the other side of America, small towns on a land far away from California, Florida or NY State. Thanks Lord Spoda.
I used to work with a Navajo guy. He told me the Navajos were really passionate about their high school basketball team. He said visiting teams would get real nervous being surrounded by thousands of screaming Navajos.
Love your channel! Something's up with your sound though, don't know if it's the rough roads, or wind noise from the window down. Oddly, when you had your bronco, it was rare to hear road noise and mic issues. I still enjoy your videos VERY much.
unless the tribe has a casino the income comes from the government as well as the housing. Does not say much for how the government views the tribes. Poverty is rampant as well as alcoholism ,drugs and hopelessness. This is actually a pretty well kept place as far as reservations go. You should go see Shiprock or affectionately called shipwreck in New Mexico. It is an absolute tragedy that one we still feel the need for reservations and two the way we treat the inhabitants. I speak from experience as I have lived on two reservations. The horses are free range by the way
I imagine the east and west side of those houses have less windows like you said to keep cooler in the mornings and then in the afternoon. Though if I had to choose I'd want less windows on the west side as it's hotter in the afternoon.
If you want authentic locally made native jewelry then go to Gallup, New Mexico and eat in one of the many restaurants where the local jewelers sell their jewelry for a lot less than you would pay in a jewelry store
Kayenta's my home town. GO MUSTANGS! At 2:48 the rock formation left of the water tower is called the Toes by the locals. Used to climb up there a lot as a kid. The water tower is actually mentioned in Edward Abbey's classic, The Monkey Wrench Gang. In the book, the environmentalists blow it up. Black Mesa (the mesa that looms over the town to the south) is one of the world's largest coal deposits. When I was a kid, most people worked up there at the Peabody Coal mine, which powered a power plant over outside of Page, where the electricity was sent to Vegas and Los Angeles. Ironic that the Navajo electric infrastructure is so poor, while they're generating power for the the largest cities in the West. The Navajos have been treated VERY poorly.
Thank you, that is interesting! Nice to hear from a local who knows the place.
I’ve been through the four corners region on a road trip 2 years ago, beautiful scenery. I have been wondering ever since what are those cylindrical buildings all over Navajo Nation?
@@zono9045 the one story round buildings are called hogans. Traditionally they face the east and are the Navajo homes. Now there are many 'stick built' homes, but many Navajo families are building hogans again on their land.
They're the traditional shape of Navajo homes, Hogans. Octagonal, originally made out of stacked logs and mud. One room communal living with a wood stove/heat in the center of the room. Front door usually facing east.@@zono9045
Absolutely what has been done to the Navajos and other native American tribes is atrocious. Its galling when I hear some aggrieved groups whine how bad they had/have it, and some of their members are multi millionaires, when I look at how native Americans have historically been treated.
Dats my home town grew up there, had soo much fun, went off da rez and came back. Thank you for being non judgemental and respectful. Safe travels
Nothing to judge. People in cities have it worse.
The tires on top of the trailer helps with the wind. It will keep the wind from ripping the roof off.
That makes sense.
True but also keeps the roof from rattling in wind. Less noisy
also a very good lightening deterent
@@stevenclark2894 Really? I have never heard that.
Maybe they might want to try screws, like every other normal person does.
I lived on the Navajo reservation for 3 years while working with the New Mexico state property department. I really enjoyed myself because we were 60 mi from any town. Lived by the Toadalina School and the Newcomb trading Post which burnt down a number of years ago. This was back in the mid '70s, I came from Albuquerque New Mexico and a very wildlife and living out there really brought peace to me. The people are very friendly once they get to know you and will become lifelong friends. They have a totally different way of looking at the world and how it is and I learned a lot from them
Nice! Graduated from Newcomb HS Thanks for the kind words from my neck of the woods.
See any skinwalkers
Any campsites? Bike friendly?
I wrote a blog called Stranded in the Navajo Nation, detailing my few days there when my car broke down. The only good thing was I got to meet a lot of Native Americans, and learned a lot.
I and my husband (we were dating at the time) came through Kayenta, AZ the last week of December 1996, on the way to the Four Corners National Monument. It was a very eye-opening experience for me. Because of this particular trip, I ended up studying Native American tribal entities, and as a result, was part of a Native American non-profit organization in No. California years later. The Dîne (or Navajo) people are a fascinating group of individuals. I have come to know some through the American Tribal Association of Libraries and Museums (ATALM) in the 2010's and 2020's. The Navajo are good, helpful, and respecting people. Thanks for posting this video!
ROFL @ Four Corners National Monument ... You do know that the monument is located several miles from the actual point where four states touch don't you ?
Kayenta was founded in 1909 when one of the Wetherill brothers started a trading post there and the town grew from that into what it is today. Previously the Diné (Navajo people) never lived in villages and towns but in family camps scattered around the area. Some still do. It is unfortunate that you didn't visit the many museums in Kayenta or talk to someone familiar with the area who could answer some of your questions and I hope that you visited Monument Valley Tribal Park just up the road aways.
"Talk to someone familiar with the area who could answer some of your questions." I agree with you.
A person who lives in that town of around should post a video to tell the real history,and answer all questions of living in the area.
There are few businesses because generally Natives do not own their land or home, so they are unable to mortgage their assets to have a business. That is a sure way to keep them locked in poverty. Some on the Bavaho rez don’t even have water piped to their homes. Smh
I always enjoy the additional narration that Nic provides when she's joining you on these segments. She provides an additional prospective .
💯
Yes she does
Perspective*
@@Blasto2x Thunk yoo gramor polise
@@Pirtosi It's not grammar, it's malapropism. But you're welcome 😁
Kayenta began its Township status and recognition in 1986, but it has always been a community called Kayenta long before that. As a kid in the 70's, we'd go through this community on our way to visit relatives in Shiprock. As far as I'm concerned, it's an old community that's been there a long, long while.
Always a real treat watching the two of you. I always call it my road trip of the week because I get to experience the travel through the eyes of you two! 😄😄
Our pleasure! :)
Pleasure in these videos seems to be mutual.
I once was dating a Navajo gentleman. He showed me all around his hometown. I fell in love with it. There's an area where there's a side of a cliff where the water was seeping thru. It was cool. And all the wild horses that roam freely. Oh and I got to see 2 mexican black wolves. I felt like I was in heaven. I so love the wildlife.
Joe and Nicole together are so much fun. Best part of the video. Blessings!
I love traveling with you two! I learn a lot about all these towns I'd never get to visit....and it really saves on gas $!!😆
Not only are you two such a cute couple and work well together, but your videos are always so fascinating to watch. There's something informative, yet relaxing about your commentary, I truly enjoy all of your videos. I cannot wait to see the St. George video as I've driven through there a number of times and absolutely love that area. Safe travels!
Thank you so much!
We were invited to spend the night with the Navajo in 1979. Amazing experience. Things have changed since we were there. We visited Monument Valley and 4 Corners. Your channel is awesome. You have great taste and an appreciation for older architecture.
Thank you for taking me back to one of my favorite places in America. Lots of new home construction. No traditional Hogan's in sight😢 Thank you again ❤❤❤❤
Thank you! :)
"I don't live on the rez, the rez lives inside of me" thanks for the visit from white America🇺🇸
Back in 2006-7, my wife and I rented a motorhome along with her cousin and her husband. We had our young kids with us as well. We drove North from Phoenix up through the reservations to Monument valley to camp. The cousins husband loved to have cocktails each night and ran out of booze. We were passing through the reservation. We stopped by a Bashas grocery store on the reservation. We had no idea at the time that reservations were alcohol free. As we walked through the store, we asked an employee who was an indian where the liquor department was. The look he gave us I'll never forget. He said "reservations are alcohol free"! Man, we felt super stupid. Lots of beautiful country in Arizona, Utah and Colorado.
Yet the ditches out of town were filled with 40oz bottles of malt liquor when I lived there in 2011 to 2012. Dry is for the people who don't really need it to be dry.
Beautiful place there in the desert. The Dine gift shop was awesome and so was the food presentation. Thanks for showing everyone such a great place!
Here in the UK we have Ponies wandering onto the roads in the New Forest in the south of England, an area covering about 32 square miles. They are owned, but they roam through the forest and only get rounded-up about once a year. Love the videos, such a great insight into all the areas.
Interesting story. England's smaller than the Southwest, maybe that's why they're ponies there instead of horses.
@@LuckyBaldwin777 They are native to the New Forest and the Donkey's. They also have cattle and pigs roaming free.
@@wisdommorepreciousthanrubi8321 That's interesting. I'd think there'd be people hunting the cattle and pigs if they're just roaming free. That's a lot of expensive meat just wandering around.
Such an interesting video . Beautiful mountains all around and horses ! Thanks for taking us along on your travels Joe and Nic
I was a Teacheron the Navajo Rez for many years. I live in Tuba City and in Chine. Most of the better home you see are for Teacher housing or Nurses housing. There are not many good paying jobs for the Navajo people on the Rez. The are is very beautiful, but it can be dangerous driving at night. There is no fencing and Livestock are free to roam around.There are a lot of old Uranium mines left and have created a hazard to the people who live near them. I have great respect for the Navajo people and the Reservation and still have many friends there. Great video.
the tradition of the 'lawn' is a European affectation borrowed from the English garden, obviously not shared on a Native reservation.
i've heard it said that lawns were kept here to provide a visible space to deal with pests and vermin in early homesteads. i'd bet that no one on a reservation can see the use of wasting all that water. beautiful earrings.
Lawns are a huge waste of water. Put in some edibles if you must have vegetation.
@@w.hishmeh agreed! here here.
we don't need europe 2.0
Life on the reservation is uniquem Chinle is a town that is also interesting. Most of the houses are government built. Excellent vlog. I think you are good ambassadors for towns.
Probably one of the most traditional towns. I worked at the hospital for a while.
@@FB-gm6el I lived there 6 yrs. There are some friendly people there but if you are not Navajo you will feel unwelcome. At least I never felt welcomed there. I lived in Africa as a kid. I felt welcomed there.
See something like this, and you can not understand why some black people are yelling for money for past slavery, none were slaves. These reservations, a lot of them, are run down after thoughts. Their roads are dirt, their drinking water full of lead, the addictions and crime high. If you think they are swimming in money. Homes reflect wealth. Those are run down mobile homes. The cars around just as old. These people are not swimming in savings and wealth. Federal money should go to fixing up the reservations, if anything, not too a spoiled few who want more handouts.
@@frogfan583 believe me there is plenty of federal government monies going into the reservations. Free healthcare from birth to death. Good public education. Often free university studies if they are willing to go. But the land is BIA land for the most part. Lots of paperwork and money to get housing. The tribal government require 10% of gross business income so most businesses won’t lease on the reservation. It is also harder to buy a mobile home or cars because if they don’t pay you can’t just go onto the reservation and repossess. Their own people are screwing them over by keeping business out.
@@FB-gm6el
Did you forget Caucasians are illegals?
-COMANCHE NATION
Was trying to find more about the wild dogs and horses you saw driving through town. According to somebody on Reddit, "Culturally, dogs aren't "owned" and therefore not given collars. They are free-range but still may be cared for by a particular family. On the Rez, the sovereignty and spirit of the dogs is honored." Horses are a similar but more complicated story, not only because of their association with the Navajo origins story, but I'm reading that wild and feral horses are a problem throughout the west and not much agreement on how to solve the problem. No info on cats, but Nic's take on it was funny and insightful, as usual.
There’s a charity called Reservation Dogs that tries to spay/ neuter these dogs so they’re not having a million puppies.
They call them Rez dogs. All Reservations have them.
horses are not a part of the Navajo origin beliefs.
@@travisadams4470 I don't think I said beliefs, I said "story" as in history. It's something I read in one of the websites when I was trying to gather information. I'm no expert. I was just looking to learn
@joycelebaron2582 "horses are a similar, but more complicated story, not only because of their association with the Navjo origins story" But do keep learning about the Navajo origins story. It's very fascinating.
Very interesting video. I have to say that you are so very observant and your dry humor is hallarious! My husband and I often love to drive through the reservations. They live very comfortably and real. No one trying to keep up with the Joneses here. This was a nice tour of Kyenta, AZ.
Hi Joe & Nicole- thanks for this one- very interesting and also it was a very clean place. Love the horses and dogs running free ! Cheers, from CY in OZ🙃
Another great video giving us Brits an insight into the indigenous population, have been not too far from your location in Arizona back in the day at the Petrified Forest area and had a great time
If you're interested in some really interesting videos on the reservations you should watch Peter Santanello, he's done a few videos on different tribes & reservations & he has a unique style & shows people's real stories. Also did an amazing series through Appalachia.
Thanks Darren@@WombleUK
I moved to Kayenta 11 years ago from Minnesota. I didn’t last 10months. I got so depressed I was physically I’ll. I moved to Phoenix and lived there for 20 years. I’m back to Minnesota since Spring.
😊😆😆😆
I've lived in Durango for 25 years with the Ute and the Navajo. I'm from Texas. Texas is way more "civilized". But the nations are more in tune with nature. It's beautiful country.
I grew up in Cortez and now live in Mancos ... The only nature I really have ever seen the tribes around here in tune with .. is the canyons, ditches, alleys and sagebrush flats full of wine bottles and old mattresses and broken glass ... where they pass out ... The alleys and parks of Cortez have been cleaned up somewhat... but now they just wander out into the sage brush behind Walmart to spend the night .... I am not being mean, for I often do what I can to assist them.. But after 63 years of watching the generational curses and poverty on the Rez ... I don't see how you can say they are "in tune" ... There are some more educated of course, but they are just like you and I .... I know many very well.
They don't need restaurants with traditional food because they make it at home. Also there were probably people living there before it was formally incorporated as a town, that's why it looks older in places. The many coloured homes were pretty, I wonder why so many were boarded up? It is a pretty town, thanks for sharing, your videos are always interesting! Glad you are documenting all these intriguing little places.
Kayenta started as a trading post in the 19th century and people started to live there after. The oldest part of the town is the "hill" area, behind where the video starts.
When a person moves out of their home, they either have to transfer home site lease to a relative, or give it back to the tribe. Then the tribe typically just boards up the houses because they don’t want to spend the money to maintain them until someone applies for that particular homesite lease. The application and approval process sometimes takes a decade. Lots of red tape because not only does a person have to jump thru Navajo government hoops, they also have to deal with the BIA and US government BS.
This is the best channel on TH-cam 😊 Never a boaring moment 👏
Wow, thanks!
I have never been to the desert or Indian reservation. This was a cool video. The roaming horses and dogs added to the beauty of the landscape. I liked the multi-colored homes too. It was nice to see the toys and souvenirs available in the gift shops. I’d agree with your assessment about the overall availability of these items. Thank you for showcasing this beautiful area!
Great comment, Alexandra. :)
I enjoyed this video since we drove through Kayenta on our way to Lufkin, TX a few weeks ago. We stopped at the grocery store to grab a few items for our cooler. It was a nice store on the inside as you suspected. I can't wait to see your video on St George. We passed through St George on our way to Kayenta and pondered the idea of living in St George. Looking forward to it. Safe travels.
Those brightly colored roofs if they're metal that's the way to go. Never have to replace them like an asphalt shingle roof and they don't catch fire from embers floating in the air.
My husband and I were on an extended road trip March of 2023. We stayed overnight at Kayenta in a nice hotel at the end of town not far from the grocery store. We stopped at the grocery to pick up some snacks and something for breakfast the next day. We parked at the hotel and got out of the car and immediately there were 3 stray dogs at our feet..they were not aggressive in any way and my animal loving husband had soon made friends with them all. After we got into our room we noticed they all stayed by the entrance to the parking lot until another car entered and went to give those folks the same greeting they gave us…
You should look into the rules for Native Americans to own land. The Government holds land in trust so the government holds title to the land. This Trust rule goes back to 1830’s. Also look into whether they have water or have to have it shipped in. The SCOTUS just ruled that water doesn’t need to be available to Navajo in a water rights dispute. Also how far away is the nearest town for jobs? Most Reservations are far away from everything for a reason.
Yes, when my Great Grandfather died, the government took my Great Grandmother's land away from her, in Chambersburg, Pa. They said she couldn't own any land because she was Native American.
Thanks bro more informing everyone a little more about what we go through out here.
Can’t believe this is America. It’s completely unacceptable.
I’ve been there. Was at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab and talked to a nice Navajo woman and her kids who were passing through town. Had no idea I was so close so I spend a couple days traveling south and checking out the area. Some of the most beautiful country I’ve seen but yes the poverty is apparent on the reservation. I had a talk with a guy selling kneel down bread out of his trunk along the road by shiprock. He was struggling to get by. The people I met were very kind. I was telling him it was the most beautiful area I’ve ever been. After leaving I was thinking that’s a stupid thing for me to say. Sure it’s beautiful as a tourist with a pocket full of money but there is no real industry in the desert. Would be a hard life for the people trying to live there. Do look forward to visiting again.
Loose dogs, wild horses, horse poop, it's just very fascinating! Thank you for this great video.
We stayed in Kayenta hotel and found the navaho staff amazing ,some dressed in native attire. Great place to see Monument Valley and Bluff area. Wish I was back there. On driving to Page came across car boot market run by Navaho people and made to feel welcome . People pure of spirit and at one with the earth.
Wild, feral actually, horses are a thing in the southwest. I used to live in Nevada and we had thousands of them. They were all over the place. Don't mess with them especially the nursing mares, they will ruin your entire day.
Very good Joe and Nicole. I find your travels fascinating.
I’m Cherokee and I was raised in Phoenix Arizona. My younger son is Navajo or Dine’. All those dogs are REZ dogs. They are always on reservations and the native people definitely know about them. There are so many jokes. We’re a very funny society and we have a Lotta jokes about those dogs.
I want to thank you two for your respectful viewing of a large Indian town, the homes of our sacred indigenous brothers and sisters. We have been here 400 years while they approach something more like 40,000 years.
The Navajo, Apache, and other related Athabaskan speakers have been in the U.S. Southwest desert for about 900 TO 1,100 years after migrating from central Canada. [[ looking for a warmer climate ]] Who knows how many Millennia they have been in North America though........
I was born in Oklahoma and the ancestry on my mother’s side goes all the way back to when the state was Indian Territory. My grandmother was full Choctaw, so I have quite a bit of Native American blood in me. Hard to tell, I know, because of the Irish on my father’s side, but I do have nothing but respect for Native Americans.
@@brittongodman7769well we know they’ve been on North America longer than around 11,600 years when they crossed from Siberia. I guess I could be wrong but I’m fascinated with Hispanic and native American people. They are like an experiment in human evolution. Being cut off from the majority of the human species for 11,000 years. So neat
Interesting and educational drive, I like it! Greetings from Poland.
Arizona Native and have have driven through and visited Monument Valley many times, the area is very unique and worth a visit. In the past you can help the local native population by taking a Dinosaur track tour that are in the area throw them $20 after the tour. I do think this is closer to Tuba city.
👍Wow ! Those beautiful skies: they look like the boldly-painted scene-boards from a 1950s Technicolor movie that were hung artificially low in the studio for camera-zoom sizing. But they're real. 👍
I believe the simplicity of the unmanicured landscape is what truly gives it that wild, but beautiful scenery. I loved the colorful houses and the wild horses were really awesome. The hotel looked really nice and the food looked delicious. Just like you end your video with a meal, I always watch your videos with dinner. Somehow it just seems the best choice. Looking forward to your next video. Until then stay safe and God bless.
Steve in Oklahoma
Totally agree, Steve!
There are small Mormon towns scattered throughout the desert. You can tell you're in a Mormon town because every house has a nicely manicured green lawn. I'm not sure why that is.
I used to have an Apache lady who was a pen pal to me. She lived on a reservation just outside of Peridot Arizona. I've wondered about her for years. I miss her. Her name was Patricia.
while traveling by train in Japan i noticed modern homes having the same brightly colored roofs as you pointed out in this video. They are quite lovely.
Thanks Joe and Nicole this was very interesting and I agree with your point of a different kind of beauty. A stark rough kind of beauty. Utah is another example of what I would call a harsh beauty. I spent 10 days at age 17 doing volunteer work home improvement on an Indian reservation in northern Wisconsin but that was my only visit to a reservation and as you would imagine it looked very different. I love your videos and laid back narration. I had a thought while queuing this up. I have visited 38 states but one I haven't been to is Alaska and I doubt I will. I would love to see you guys go there in the future. Thanks again.
Not surprised at all of the cost of the earrings. My husband visited our son in Grand Canyon. They went through the museum and he picked me up a pair of earrings. Genuine Silver and turquoise and made by Native Americans. The turquoise of each earring is a pea size and cost $220. The price has gone up so much as it’s becoming harder to purchase the raw turquoise and driving the cost up. A lot of places sale jewelry and say it’s turquoise but isn’t genuine. But that’s with buying it in general online from who knows where.. you are helping families to support themselves so I’m sure your happy every time you wear them;) and you can actually say they are authentic Native American. By law no one or company can put on the product “authentic Native American” unless the one who made it is a member of a registered tribe with the federal government.
I am on board learning as always thank you Joe to show us this desert places it's cool
Joe & Nic, you have visited my hometown! Thank you for sharing the wonderful tour with the world. I live in Las Vegas NV now. It's good to see this video on TH-cam. Thank you again. Ahe'hee..(thank you)
Awesome!
Once again an amazing contrast between the northeast and the southwest. I believe all the horses you encounter are wild horses. There's a lot of wild horses in areas like that. My son and his wife lived in Phoenix and they'd take drives out to the desert and mountain areas and they said there are wild horses everywhere. I believe they are protected by law and that's why they roam freely.
Another great video Joe and was happy to hear Nicole with you. Thank you as always 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻🤠
Actually just residents' horses in town
That was a beautiful healthy looking colt. I liked how the horses roamed freely. But I think life must be hard there? Probably not much rain and imagine trying to grow vegetables or flowers.
No disrespect my brother, but your wife is absolutely stunning..... that outfit is crazy... Thank you all and keep up the good work
I met a Navajo gentleman at the Indian market outside of Santa Fe. He sold me a reallly cool Navajo bracelet that I still wear to this day. That food looked pretty good at the hotel! Navajo Country looks like an interesting place to visit for sure. Love the sky in that part of the country.
couldn’t imagine myself livin a desert like that, wonder how they do it.. All that sand as you mentioned..
Though the township was created in the '80s, Kayenta has been a place for longer, and is mentioned in the American literary classic "House Made of Dawn" by N. Scott Momaday who wrote the novel in '68. (most of the novel takes place in New Mexico & LA). We spent several nights in Kayenta in 2021 in order to visit Monument Valley. They do have quite a few amenities, the people were really nice. It did seem quite remote, but that's what makes it cool.
I am retired from an Auto and Home Insurance Co. that have been for 22 years Orange County, California. I want to move out of the City, and move to Las Cruces, New Mexico. I remember when I used to go to my Grandmother's house and stay with her in El Paso, Texas. On our way there we would stop in Las Cruces, and I always loved the view of the Organ Mountains. I just cannot believe how much it has grown now. There are beautiful New and Old Homes there. I am also looking in Palm Springs with beautiful Mountain Views in the background also. Stayed there for 3 days in downtown with a room with a view of the mountains from the balcony at the Hyatt Regency. It was worth the stay in a suite. Love your show.
I've driven through Kayenta several times en route to or from Monument Valley. I think I may have stopped for gas or to grab an Indian Taco and been on my way. I guess the horses are an adequate substitute for cats...this time, anyway 🙂. The free-roaming dogs are the reason you never want to go for a bike ride in places like that...unless you can pedal real fast. I trust you ventured a bit further down the road to see Monument Valley?
We did. :)
Kayenta has been there much longer than 1986- that may be when it was incorporated. We’ve been traveling that area since the 50’s- already a town then.
That's when it was incorporated.
Pronounced "KAY-en-taa". We call it K-town. Used to be a big farming community way back in the day.
It was a huge coal mining town.
Yes, water rights is a huge issue in Northern Arizona - as long as Phoenix gets their water first.
The town is slowly dying.
You should visit Piñon next.
Yeeya! Piñon, Blue Gap! 😂
On the rez we play Indians and Cowboys lol I just wanted to say thanks for the cool vid. Oh if you want the real deal authentic foods, look for some vendors on the weekend, should be a flea market. You could try some delicious mutton hehe, thanks to the Spaniards for bringing us sheep, and English who gave flour that we make into frybread.
I lived in Az. for several years. People don't really do large lawns of grass. I lived in Sedona, even with a lot of money to spend it's not a thing.
I will never complain about cutting my lawn every week again !
after moving from the san fernando valley to wickenburg i bought a house with a large lawn and love it.
Good video we have horses romeing around in dartmoor England my cousin kalli from tennissie nashville was amazed 😅
Enjoy the NEW ride...welcome back to the ROAD...and enjoying the TRAVEL REPORTS!!!! SAFE TRAVELS to you BOTH
Thank you!
Thanks for your honest tours of the areas of America many people know nothing of, but view with great subjectivity due to what their told.
Thank you!
See something like this, and you can not understand why some black people are yelling for money for past slavery, none were slaves. These reservations, a lot of them are run down after thoughts. Their roads are dirt, their drinking water full of lead, the addictions and crime high. If you think they are swimming in money. Homes reflect wealth. Those are run down mobile homes. The cars around just as old. These people are not swimming in savings and wealth. Federal money should go to fixing up the reservations, if anything, not too a spoiled few who want more handouts.
My girlfriend and i watch every video together and i love the variety. Going from the Midwest , to rhe northeast back to texas and the southwest is great.
Thank you!
I keep waiting for the roadrunner to zip by with Wiley Coyote on his tail😂
Me too!! 😂
What's also fascinating about those houses with hardly any widows and no attics is I see no swamp coolers or mini-split HVAC systems on the outside. Unless they have regular HVAC systems and ductwork inside.
Good point. I didn't catch that.
We do the same thing with deer up here in northern Wi. A couple of toots can save your cars' front end. My wifes' cousin lives on a reservation and his house, his car and money are given to him from proceeds from the local casino. This leads to not caring about your property because you don't own it. Most reservations are nations unto themselves and they can set their own laws. The houses looked to be mostly double wide mobile homes and pre-fabs with plenty of single wides thrown in. Great video, liked it much.
Dessert looks delicious! Thanks for another great Tour. Kayenta. J
You may be able to handle 2 wives, Joe, but I reckon Nicole would grow rather jealous and the second wife would end up disappearing mysteriously 😆
Right!
Another fine video. The food looked real good. Pretty nice looking Hampton Inn. Safe travels.
Thanks 👍
Beautiful scenery. The Indian homes on the reservation were interesting with not many windows. I noticed the pickups were all too tall to go in the garages. Joe, your meal looked good. They sure do like fry bread out there. lol Nic, the earrings were a great souvenir. Thanks
We're not Indians but I guess only to the pilgrims
Thank you for yet another wonderful look at your beautiful country…
That is hysterically ironic to see "cowboys and Indians" toys at a reservation of all places. They probably know people would buy it for that bizarre story of how they got it. PS good to see apparently wild horses. Might be a bronco in there..
Looks like you'll be traveling through Page and the beautiful drive through the Vermillion Cliffs. Nice video. I can almost taste that addictive green chile. I just ordered 10 lbs. of green chilles from New Mexico.
Like seeing the food as you travel around.
I'm white and live in the newer houses shown at 11:00 12 years ago. That was all that was available for me when I worked there. It was run by HUD, and was very poorly managed. The homes had to be boarded up or locals would break in and trash the homes. The home next to me and across the street from me were destroyed on the inside when the doors were kicked. I went in the one across from me after a few months of the door being kicked in and the walls board was torn down, everything smashed, carpet destroyed. Water was free, and some people grew gardens. I was told the Mormon Church would help people with that if interested. I tried to grow lawn and garden in the fall when I arrived. Th garden went well the following summer, but the lawn was destroyed by sand. Being on the west side of the property the spring wind (which was bad all over in the region) scoured the soil and left huge piles of sand all over anything that held it. So, my lawn was buried under 4 to 6 inches of dirt, and there was a huge dirt pile left in front of the house. A 10 foot wide, 3 to 4 foot deep channel was scoured by the wind, that winter and spring, from along the road on the west side of the property. Also, the cattle over grazed the land to the west and grass that was left ended up being on pillars 1 to 2 feet high, with the soil being blown away.
Thanks for the video, Regards Simon from sunny Adelaide City, South Australia 😊
Thanks for watching!
Did you check the food prices and selection? Gas prices? We have to drive 2/3 to get groceries and other necessities.I have to drive 50 miles to check the mail. We are in the high desert and it snows.
Tires on top of trailer are for melting the snow off the roof faster. That rubber begins to get hot immediately when sunlight hits it. Keeps the roof from caving in.
Beautiful skies out there, that's for sure. A real stark beauty. From Google Maps, it looks like the main road looks just like most other American towns, with fast food joints, etc. According to City-Data, the main industries are :
Educational services (26.5%) Accommodation & food services (16.1%) Mining, quarrying, oil & gas extraction (12.3%) Health care (8.8%) Construction (7.8%) Public administration (5.6%) Food & beverage stores (5.3%)
And don't even tell me you're going to Colorado City and Hildale next!
They don’t like outsiders in Colorado City. They’re all very protective of their 8 teen wives.
Yep, Joyce - Hildale & Colorado City is the next video, as well as Centennial Park - a town that is 100% polygamist. :)
I have a cousin living in New Mexico who frequents the Navajo Nation 🧿. He's also traveled through St. George on his way to Vegas. Just returned recently from a trip to Istanbul, Turkiye 🇹🇷 .
I really enjoy your explorations. Many thanks, and God bless.
Nice, gorgeous country. Was that a common area for horses...smart. Wise "landscaping" too. Swept yards keep fires away, bare soil inhibits pests. Why piddle around a false yard when you have 360 skies and sandstone looking remarkable all around.
What a pleasure to see horses living their life 😊
It is very interesting for a Spaniard to know the other side of America, small towns on a land far away from California, Florida or NY State. Thanks Lord Spoda.
Actually the area grew around the trading post which was founded in 1909. So people have lived in the area over 100years ago.
I used to work with a Navajo guy. He told me the Navajos were really passionate about their high school basketball team. He said visiting teams would get real nervous being surrounded by thousands of screaming Navajos.
Bball is the biggest religion on every rez
Great movie called Edge of America based on a true story. It takes place on the Navajo Rez.😊
Love your channel! Something's up with your sound though, don't know if it's the rough roads, or wind noise from the window down. Oddly, when you had your bronco, it was rare to hear road noise and mic issues. I still enjoy your videos VERY much.
The sky is so clear and beautiful it looks photo shopped.
unless the tribe has a casino the income comes from the government as well as the housing. Does not say much for how the government views the tribes. Poverty is rampant as well as alcoholism ,drugs and hopelessness. This is actually a pretty well kept place as far as reservations go. You should go see Shiprock or affectionately called shipwreck in New Mexico. It is an absolute tragedy that one we still feel the need for reservations and two the way we treat the inhabitants. I speak from experience as I have lived on two reservations. The horses are free range by the way
I really love watching you both having conversation. Sooooo cute! Hejehe! Be bless.
I imagine the east and west side of those houses have less windows like you said to keep cooler in the mornings and then in the afternoon. Though if I had to choose I'd want less windows on the west side as it's hotter in the afternoon.
On most reservations there are loose dogs. They are refered to as Rez Dogs.
THANK YOU,,BEEN SOME TIME SINCE I BEEN THROUGH THERE..MCDONALDS,I BELIEVE HAS A CODE TALKING MUSIUM..SAFE TRAVELS..
If you want authentic locally made native jewelry then go to Gallup, New Mexico and eat in one of the many restaurants where the local jewelers sell their jewelry for a lot less than you would pay in a jewelry store
Not only no grass but I didn't see any fire hydrants. Wonder if the primary source of water is well water.