BIG b-day trip Southwest
 

I am planning a 40th b-day trip for my Husband!
Here is what I have:
September 29-Oct 1 Grand Caynon Hike
Oct 2- Oct 10 HELP ME FILL THIS IN

So far I know I would like to get to Caynon de Chelly and possibly Sedona and then the balloon festival in NM. I also want to do something unique that gets him close to Indian Culture---like a one-on-one lecture or study indian music for a day.

http://www.americansouthwest.net

This will get you started.

I haven't had any one on one experience with the Indian Culture but I did have an excellent group experience in Canyon de Chelly.

I would recommend either the 1/2 day or all day guided tour in Canyon de Chelly. They are lead by Navajo's who have lived in the area. They not only show you the scenery but give you a history lesson about the area and their people. We took our tour thru the Thunderbird Lodge in the park.

From the Grand Canyon you might want to spend a night or two at Monument Valley Tribal Park. You might be able to find some one on one in this area too. OR from the Grand Canyon drive to Tuba City and take Hwy 264 thru Keams Canyon and Second Mesa. You really see how what life on the reservations is like when you travel these back roads.

I would plan on two nights for Canyon de Chelly and drive thru Window Rock on your way to New Mexico. I've never been to the balloon festival.

Utahtea

www.balloonfiesta.com for Balloon Fiesta information. It's not too early to start working on your hotel reservation for the Fiesta; rooms fill up quickly.

Try the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque - www.indianpueblo.org - for help with Native cultural questions.

Someone at Native America Calling - www.nativeamericacalling.com - may also be able to help you.

Lee Ann

We did a Southwest trip last May as follows: fly into Phoenix, Grand Canyon (1 night), Monument Valley (2 nights), Mesa Verde (2 nights), Bernalillo (5 nights) visiting Santa Fe, Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

We really enjoyed the Navajo tour at Monument Valley (arranged through Gouldings Lodge), we loved Mesa Verde and has several terrific experiences at the park (namely the ranger led tours and dining at Metate), in and around Bernalillo we enjoyed our day in Santa Fe (including a cooking class for me), loved visiting the Pueblos and thought the cliff dwellings at Bandalier were really amazing.

We planned to do Chaco but experienced weather issues which made it necessary to press on. We did not get to Taos or Canyon de Chelly though I'd heard wonderful things about both. Travelling with a toddler limited some of our travel ambitions. We also would have enjoyed more time at the Grand Canyon but I've been before and while it is wonderful to hike we thought it too hard on a two year old.
Have a terrific trip.