Aaaaaahhh Monument Valley 
Been there c. 1990, on the ground only, and only in the mid-day baking sun, whereas you chose a much better time of day for those absolutely stunning photos.
You have an amazing talent for colour and composition.
Peter wrote:
You have an amazing talent for colour and composition.
Not sure, but the time of day and the settings sure do help 
And yes, sunrise, or sunset, are magic moments for these kind of places.
Subdued by the sights, the light, and my state of elation, I can’t but spend a good time flying around the iconic sandstone buttes.
It must be the 3rd or 4th time I get to zig and zag around Monument Valley, but sure is a first in my own manoeuvrable steed, flying solo and therefore able to bank, turn, roll, and loop at will
And as was the case when playing between the icebergs in Greenland, I could spend the rest of my life in this firmament, dancing in between terrestrial stars…
But, as a mere mortal in a mere flying contraption, I can’t but continue… the next POI is waiting, a short distance to the East
Shiprock itself, or in Navajo language: Tsé Bitʼaʼí, “rock with wings” or “winged rock” (ref Wiki)
On left base for Shiprock airstrip
Once more out in the boonies. Amidst playing some blues on the harp whilst the coffee water is coming to boil, a C172 comes in for a couple of T&Gs. It then lands, and the CFI and student come for a nice chat. You’re never alone out there
Awe inspiring images Dan…
Those shots of Monument Valley and the area around Page are just… wow
After take-off the heading is northeasterly… towards yet another POI, and amidst some amazing landscape
Some of the stuff I spot from my cruising altitude sure requires closer inspection, so, let’s dive for it
As I’m approaching Colorado, the background, once more, changes. The inherently dry terrain gives way to green grassland and meadows, pine tree forest try to get a grip on altitude and steep mountains.
And getting closer to my destination discloses the mining popularity of the region
The approach and landing on the Lake County airport, aka Leadville, is easy. Leadville-Lake County airport is the highest in the US, the elevation being 9’934ft…
One doesn’t see this kind of density altitude everyday… but the runway is more than long
As a reward for the fantastic view, welcome, and service, every pilot flying in gets this certificate (yes, to protect what remains of my privacy I digitally removed my surname )
Going direct from Furnace Creek, the US lowest, to Leadville-Lake County the US highest, is interestingly enough a relatively short distance, and would have taken only about 3:30h at RV-6.9 speed. In the planning stages I thought about it, but also did’nt want to miss those POIs in between
Refueling done, and in view of the menacing build-ups, I enquire about the availibility of hangar space for the 2 days I will be spending here.
YLL is then tucked into the big hangar in company of a couple of spam cans for the next 2 days…
And an interesting license plate
Dan wrote:
Shiprock itself, or in Navajo language: Tsé Bitʼaʼí, “rock with wings” or “winged rock” (ref Wiki)
My family on my mother’s side is from Farmington (very close to Shiprock). That really is a beautiful spot.
