Monument Valley

Spread across the border of Utah and Arizona, the spectacular scenery of Monument Valley is captivating year round. The giant sandstone formations towering over the desert floor are a unique kind of structure you don’t see every day.

They aren’t mountains, or canyons, or even just big rocks, but something else. They are monuments. Some have been given descriptive names such as Mittens, Elephant Butte, Totem Pole, and North Window.

Monument Valley is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft above the valley floor.It is located on the Arizona–Utah state line. The Colorado Plateau covers 130,000 square miles within northwestern New Mexico, southeastern Utah, and northern Arizona. Monument Valley is one of the truly iconic places of the United States. The setting for hundreds of Western movies, its unique sandstone formations are instantly recognizable the world over. Iron oxide in the weathered siltstone gives the valley its red color. It is near the Four Corners. The valley lies within the territory of the Navajo Nation Reservation and is accessible from U.S. Highway 163. When you see the photos, you will probably recognize Monument Valley. It has been featured in many forms of media since the 1930s.

Director John Ford used the location for a number of his best-known films and thus, in the words of critic Keith Phipps, “its five square miles have defined what decades of moviegoers think of when they imagine the American West”.

In addition to becoming one of the most iconic images of the West, it has become a popular tourist destination. It’s not always referred to by name in the movies, but most visitors will surely recognize it.

Forrest Gump and his band of running followers jogged along U.S. Route 163 right through Monument Valley in 1994. Fans of the movie often visit this stretch of the highway to recreate the scene or just take a few photos.

Monument Valley is officially a large area that includes much of the area surrounding Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a Navajo Nation equivalent to a national park. Oljato, for example, is also within the area designated as Monument Valley. Most of the scenic locations are found within the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. At the edge of the valley, there is a visitor center, a small convenience store and the Haskenneini Restaurant. The Valley Drive is a dirt road through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park on the Arizona side of the valley.

From the visitor center, you see the worldfamous panorama of the Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte. You can also purchase guided tours from Navajo tour operators, who take you down into the valley in Jeeps for a narrated cruise through these mythical formations. During the summer months, the visitor center features Haskenneini Restaurant, which specializes in

both native Navajo and American cuisines, and a film/snack/souvenir shop. There are year-round restroom facilities. One mile before the center, numerous Navajo vendors sell arts, crafts, native food, and souvenirs at roadside stands.

Visitors pay an access fee and drive through the park on a 17-mile dirt road (a 2-3 hour trip). Parts of Monument Valley, such as Mystery Valley, Ear pf the Wind and Hunts Mesa, are accessible only by guided tour.

There are no shortage of local Navajo guides available to take you on tours of the valley. Spare your own vehicle and join a guide for a narrated tour by jeep or 4×4.

Visitors must stay on the valley road unless accompanied by a Navajo guide. The sole exception is the Wildcat Trail, a self-guided 3.1 mile hiking trail along the the West Mitten Butte.

The park is open from 6:00am to 8:30pm in the summer (May – September) and from 8:00am to 4:30pm in the winter (October – April). Monument Valley experiences a desert climate with cold winters and hot summers. While the summers may be hot, the heat is tempered by the region’s high altitude. Although the valley experiences an average of 54 days above 90 °F annually, summer highs rarely exceed 100 °F. Summer nights are comfortably cool, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Winters are cold, but daytime highs are usually above freezing.

All areas on the Navajo Nation are closed to nonNavajos unless you have a valid pass or permit issued by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department or other delegated tribal authority. Failure to have a permit is considered trespassing on a Federal Indian Reservation.

Important Note: Navajo Parks have paused operations due to Covid19. Check before visiting for latest updates.

https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/ monument-valley/ https://www.utahscanyoncountry.com

California’s Olympic Valley is located in Placer County, northwest of Tahoe City along California State Highway 89 on the banks of the Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. It is home to Squaw Valley Ski Resort, the host site of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Olympic Valley is the smallest resort area to ever host the Olympic Winter Games.

In 2012, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows were combined to offer joint access to 6,200 skiable acres, 43 lifts and over 270 trails. The resort attracts approximately 600,000 skiers a year. Squaw Valley is one of the largest ski areas in the United States, and is the second-largest ski area at Lake Tahoe after Heavenly.

The resort spans two mountains, with stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. Skiers and riders of all ability levels are welcomed by over 65 percent beginner and intermediate terrain, while legendary steeps, towering cliffs and heart-pumping chutes continue to be ground zero for boundarybreaking skiing and riding.

The resort features slope side lodging at The Village at Squaw Valley, which bustles year-round with nonstop events and over 50 bars, restaurants, and boutiques. With an annual average of 450 inches of snowfall and 300 sunny California days, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is known as the Spring Skiing Capital™ and provides the longest ski and snowboard season in Lake Tahoe. Its ski season often lasts until the end of May.

History

The town of Claraville, formerly located at the mouth of Squaw Valley, was once among the biggest mining operations in the Lake Tahoe region. The Squaw Valley Mining boom was short lived and by 1863–64 the valley had lost almost all of its

Wayne Poulsen, a former star skier from the University of Nevada, had acquired 2,000 acres in Squaw Valley from the Southern Pacific Railroad. Poulsen met Alex Cushing, a Harvard Universitytrained lawyer, in 1946 while Cushing was vacationing at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. During his vacation, Cushing toured Squaw Valley at Poulsen's invitation and decided to invest in building a ski resort there.

Unlike Poulsen, Cushing had the political connections and access to the capital necessary to create a ski resort. In June 1948, the two founded the Squaw Valley Development Company.

Squaw Valley Ski Resort opened on Thanksgiving Day 1949. The resort was constructed with $400,000 raised by Cushing, including $150,000 of his own money. The creation of the Squaw Valley Development Corporation and Squaw Valley Ski Resort mark the modern era of Squaw Valley.

Olympic Valley

In 1954, Cushing began lobbying the International Olympic Committee to host the 1960 Olympic Winter games after he saw an article in the San Francisco Chronicle that detailed Reno, Nevada’s bid to host the games. Innsbruck, Austria was Squaw Valley’s biggest competitor in the running for the 1960 Winter Games, and in 1956 Squaw Valley won the right to host the games by a vote of 32-30 on the second ballot.

The Winter Olympics

In anticipation of the Olympics, the official name was changed to Olympic Valley in 1960. At the time, Squaw Valley was an undeveloped resort. The infrastructure and all of the venues were built at a cost of $80 million between 1956 and 1960. The layout was designed to be intimate, allowing spectators and competitors to reach most of the venues on foot.

The 1960 Winter Olympics were the first Winter Olympics to be televised live and attracted millions of viewers. One of the unforgettable highlights was the USA-Russia Ice Hockey Olympic Medal game won by the USA 3-2.

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In 2010, Squaw Valley Ski Resort was acquired by KSL Capital Partners, terming what they called a “renaissance” for Olympic Valley. With its acquisition, KSL announced $50 million in improvements to Squaw Valley. The total amount was increased to $70 million when Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows merged in October 2011.

Skiing and Racing Culture

https://blog.squawalpine.com

Skiing and racing culture have been important to Squaw Valley since before it hosted the 1960 Winter Games. An athlete from Squaw Valley has competed in every Winter Olympics since 1964, when Jimmie Heuga competed in the IX Olympic Winter Games. Because of this, Squaw Valley has taken the moniker “Official Supplier of skiers to the US Ski Team”.

To learn more about the 1960 Winter Olympics you can take an Aerial Tram ride to see memorabilia at the free Olympic museum—and the resort often holds elite competitions throughout the season. It’s not uncommon to see past and future Olympians training on the mountain.

Squaw Alpine has also set itself apart with a focus on sustainability. In the near future, the resort plans to run 100 percent on renewable energy sources, making it the first major ski mountain in the U.S. to do so. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has announced its commitment to change the resort name, removing the word “squaw” which is widely considered offensive. The resort has begun work on determining a new name.

For more information, visit:

https://www.visitplacer.com

USA Hockey Team celebrates its 3-2 victory tover Russia at the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Branson, Missouri is one of America’s favorite vacation destinations, but many associate Branson with world-class live entertainment shows. But there is much more to Branson, which makes it popular with not only group tours, but families as well. Branson offers thrilling attractions around every corner along with genuine Ozark hospitality. So here is a list of the Top10 attractions, as selected by, well, the folks in Branson.

1. Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City, one of America’s great theme parks, is an 1880s themed experience that puts the words “family” and “fun” at the heart of everything they do.

Experience Time Traveler, the only rollercoaster of its kind, that goes speeds up to 50 mph while you

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make a 10-story, 90-degree vertical drop, or be amazed by the craftsmen and artisan demonstrations before your eyes.

Fill your belly with good Ozark

Mountain cookin’ from one of many tasty restaurants and booths, or become a volunteer for the day at Fireman’s Landing. Once you leave, you'll be counting down the days until your next visit! Aquarium at the Boardwalk is one of the newest things to do in Branson and is unlike any other aquarium you’ve visited.

Some features that visitors can expect to enjoy are more than 250 different animal species, an original 5D submarine adventure to the bottom of the seasharks, a 24-foot high Kelp Forest climbing structure for kids, stingrays, a gorgeous 16-foot view of a coral reef, two mirrored art installations that give the sense of infinite ocean life, lionfish, and more than 7,200 individual sea animals.

Guests will also meet the Aquarium’s characters Aquarius, the

wise and helpful Giant Pacific Octopus and Finn, the adventurous Golden Puffer.

3. The Track Family Fun Parks

Turn, putt, soar, and play at the Track Family Fun Parks in Branson. The Tracks offer three different high-rise tracks including the Wild Woody, The Lumberjack and Heavy Metal High Rise, bumper boats, mini golf, laser tag, the Sky Coaster, the iconic Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, the Branson Skyscraper and so much more. Let loose, take a spin and let the good times roll at the Track Family Fun Parks.

4. Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park

Shepherd of the Hills is not only an historically significant stop in the Ozarks, it is also a fun-stocked attraction.

Shepherd of the Hills was recently voted USA Today’ s Best Aerial Adventure Park in America. The outdoor ropes course, ATV track, ziplines, live shows, restaurant, petting zoo and more make this family fun park almost unbeatable!

6. Beyond the Lens!

5. WonderWorks

Branson’s newest attraction, WonderWorks, has quickly become a crowd favorite. Found in the heart of Branson’s Entertainment District, you can't miss the iconic exterior of WonderWorks, a huge upsidedown house.

Once inside, you can discover four stories of interactive and intriguing activities, experiments and mysteries sure to entertain, educate and inspire the whole family.

Take an exciting trip behind the scenes of pop culture at one of Branson’s newest and most unique attractions.

Here you’ll find a mix of historical conspiracy theories and interactive, top-of-the-line gaming systems. There are photo ops around every corner, so don’t miss your chance to smile for the camera.

7. Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

Grab your cowboy hat and prepare for a fun family dinner show at Dolly Parton’s Stampede.

Be amazed by 32 horses, a large cast of talented trick riders and incredible country-style food. You even get to be a part of some friendly competition as each side of the arena cheers for their competitors to steal the show.

Before and after the show, you can visit the outdoor Horse Walk and meet the four-legged stars.

8. Bigfoot Fun Park

Bigfoot Fun Park has an adventure in store for all. For indoor fun, check out the extensive arcade and 8Di interactive gaming experience.

Outdoors, between the 200-foot free fall of the Gravity Bomb, 200-foot Super Sling ride, themed mini golf course and extensive maze, you will never run out of fun. You can also take a unique, themed trip through the Ozarks on the Discovery Expedition.

9. Titanic Museum Attraction

The Titanic Museum Attraction is more than a museum—it’s an unforgettable experience.

Once you step inside the ship you will climb the grand staircase, meet the crew and become a passenger on the Titanic.

Prepare to interact with artifacts and displays, hear stories and sounds from additional passengers and experience history.

Before you leave, step outside the ship’s walls to take your picture with a real iceberg and feel the 28 degree water.

10. Fritz’s Adventure

This multi-dimensional family attraction brings all the thrills and challenges of outdoor adventure indoors.

Fritz’s Adventure’s three stories of challenges and adventure are waiting to be explored. Check skydiving off the bucket list with Fritz’s Areodium, a safe outdoor wind tunnel.

Fritz’s restaurant offers both healthy and hearty menu options, so spending the whole day exploring is a breeze.

For additional information, visit:

ExploreBranson.com