Dinosaur tracks (Tuba city)
We woke up early to catch the sunrise on Monument Valley… majestic! Breakfast at the view was descent especially in comparison to diner. We were ready to be back on the road destination… The Grand Canyon!
En route we had been looking at the map and I had mentioned it was possible to see fossils from the Dinosaur era. My sister was excited about the concept and it seemed to actually be on the road to Grand Canyon.
Next to Tuba city, still in Navajo territory is a site where you can see dinosaur footprints, take pictures and even touch them… which doesn’t seem like a good idea for heritage purposes… I’m not sure what is the legal state of the site. When you arrive some young people will ask you if you want to see dinosaur tracks… there is no entrance fee, and I don’t think you necessarily have to use the local youngsters as guide, but I don’t really see how to refuse. They know the spots and will throw some “facts” about the fossils. Our “guide” was nice a little nonchalant, but polite, he walked us around throwing a few dinosaur names at us and water on the tracks and “fossils”. Although it is hard to tell what was scientific fact and what was just seeing random shapes in rock formations, it was a fun experience. From what I read the tracks are from the early Jurassic period, but I have not found a truthfully serious article on this.
Sunrise on Monument Valley
Monument Valley in the Morning
Elephant feet, AZ
Elephant Feet and our Ford explorer
Dinosaur tracks!
This was described as Fossilized Dinosaur poop… However as I ventured on the internet I read this was not true. We were also shown “dinosaur eggs” but once again I read it was just a rock formation… As I am no Paleontologist, I’ll just be gullible and enjoy the ride
Rock formation or fossilized head as our guide hinted? He made us tap on it and explained that since it was hollow it was indeed a fossil… Not sure how scientific this method it
The road in the distance
The Grand Canyon
