Valley of The Gods

Monument Valley is a land of fire, red rocks, cathedral-like formations and distance. Located in the vast high desert country of northern Arizona, it is one of the most spectacular regions in North America.

Film director John Ford was seeking a location for one of his classic western movies when he discovered Monument Valley and claimed it as his own.

There the hard-drinking, cigar-smoking pal of:

John Wayne, Ward Bond, Ben Johnson, Strother Martin and other fine cowboy actors established his roots and shot some of the best western films to ever grace the Silver Screen. I am referring to 'Red River,' 'Stagecoach,' 'The Searchers', 'She Wore A Yellow Ribbon' and 'Others.'

The valley had been peopled by Native Americans who lived in hogans. They herded sheep and cattle, often riding miles by horseback to tend their flocks. It is a lonesome land where predators exist. There are mountain lions, Gila monsters, rattlesnakes, wild boar and wolves in Monument Valley. If you visit this land for a morning stroll, be careful where you walk.

When I lived in Arizona...

...watched Ford's movie, 'She Wore A Yellow Ribbon' and decided to drive to Monument Valley to see if it was as beautiful as the director showed it on the screen. It was and more.

The place has an eerie quality that is almost spiritual. I think of the great churches with their organs and the valley fits in with that picture. Some of the rock formations remind me of organs. When I stop my car and roll the windows down, I can hear the sounds of silence except for the desert winds playing their music through those skyscraper rock formations.

Rain was falling miles away. Giant dark thunderclouds filled the sky and jagged lightning bolts hurled their daggers to the ground. It was an incredible experience that still fills me with awe as I think about it. I shivered and felt like I was on another planet.

As the rain fell miles away, I saw a lone horseman tending a herd of about 50 sheep. He was sitting motionless wearing a blue serape. I drove over to him and parked my car.

"Welcome," he said, extending his hand. "Nice car."

I got out of my car. "Nice horse," I said. "You look like you could have been in one of John Ford's movies."

He laughed. "Actually I was in one of them," he said. "I'm Navajo. Mr. Ford hired me and my brother for one of his films as extras. I met John Wayne and some of the other actors. Between shots we played poker."

"How did you do?"

He smiled. "They were drinking. I'm a pretty good poker player and I won a bit of money. An old Indian trick."

I asked him the name of the movie and he didn't remember. He said he didn't have a television set in those days.

"It might have been 'She Wore A Yellow Ribbon," he said. "All I do remember is that the Indians lost. In a John Wayne movie, we always lost." He roared with laughter and I joined him.

Monument Valley looks like a warm sunlit country but it is not that warm. This is northern Arizona and except for the summer months, there is a chill in the air.

I don't know where Ford is buried...

...probably Forest Lawn in Hollywood, CA. But I can guarantee you if he had a choice, his spirit hovers over this valley of fire where he made the West come alive for millions of western fans around the world.

If you ever are in Arizona, visit the place and you will see what I mean.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).