Can you die without walking? Trip to American National Parks (7) Stay at Hogan, a Navajo residence in Monument Valley

Indigenous peoples who have lived in this land and coexisted with nature long before they became the country of America.
Among them, the country of Navajo Reservation, where Navajo people live, still boasts the largest area in the United States.

Monument Valley, a vast tribal park that spans Arizona and Utah, is located within the country of Navajo, a sacred land that has long been worshipped by the Navajo people.
A place where rocky art that can only be seen as a godsman spreads in the endless red soil. It's truly the world of film.

This is not a national park, but a tribal park managed and controlled by the Native American Navajo tribes, and they have long worshipped it as a sacred place.

Of course, there are people around Monument Valley, but there are also people in the volleyball that still continue to live traditionally in places where there is no water or electricity. The residence they used to use in the past, Hogan, is still available in the volleyball today.

Did you know that you can stay at Hogan, which is made from their wisdom?

We stayed at Hogan and went to sleep in a starry sky.
As I look at the starry sky at night, I think how beautiful this earth is. . That's what it means.

The size of the nature is so magnificent and full of wonder, and the beauty of the universe spreading beyond the night sky, I am confused by how big my heart is.

This is a power spot where you can truly feel that Native Americans have discovered mysteries in nature and learned everything from nature, and that on a large round Earth, nature, humans, animals, all coexist as the same lifeform.

What is Hogan, a residence born from the wisdom of the Navajo people?

Hogan is a residence born from their wisdom, learning, trial and error as they live in nature for many years, saying that it is warm in winter and cool in summer.
It was born from the wisdom of the Navajo people who live with the Earth and give deep respect for nature.

Even today, some people deliberately build Hogans next to their homes in the old style and live there. Even today, there are many traditional Navajos who live in Hogan. Their Hogans have no electricity or water. When using electricity, they use a generator.

Hogan uses a wooden juniper made from hemispherical earth, and uses mud on the exterior walls to complete the structure. It is said that juniper logs are stacked tightly and a hemisphere mold is created without using a single nail. If the soil in the Hogan has dried up due to rain or other factors, just stick it again! said Navajo's friend Johnson.

And the entrance to Hogan is always built to the east. East is a sacred direction for them.
It seems that the time of the morning sun rises is considered to be the sacred time of the day, and the entrance to Hogan is always set eastward to allow sacred new light to be brought into the house and to spend the day with that spirit.

Hogan also said he would maintain a relationship between Mother Earth and Father Sky. The sky that serves as the ceiling is father, and the earth that serves as the ground is mother, and the warm space inside Hogan is surrounded by both. That's what happens.

A wood stove is placed in the middle of the Hogan, and a chimney extends directly above the sky. Cook on the wood stove to warm up. It's simple, but it has everything you need.

Book Hogan Overnight

You can stay at Hogan. And it's in the park in Monument Valley.
As I mentioned in my previous article, Monument Valley is a tribal park managed by the Navajo government, as it is a Navajo Tribal Park. There are residents in the valley who still live in it, and there are private property locations, so you will need to book Hogan Overnight through a tour company run by a local Navajo.

There are several local tour companies, so you can book in advance online or over the phone by looking at your preferences and prices. (Several companies offer overnight services, such as Monument Valley Simpson's Trailhandler Tours $250 per night)

Things you can experience at Hogan Overnight

By booking an overnight trip, you can enjoy a tour of Monument Valley View Spots, evening meals, singing by Navajo after meals, dancing performances, sleeping bags, watching the sunrise, and breakfast, so it's packed full. There is no doubt that you will be able to have a priceless experience that is more than you would expect.

Below is an example of a typical schedule.

1. Meet with the Navajo driver guide for the tour that I signed up at around 3 or 4pm at the Visitor Center.

2. I put my car in the parking lot of the visitor center, and from there I finally departed inside the volleyball area in the driver's car, and toured the viewpoints (sightseeing)

3. After visiting the viewpoint, we headed to the private property where Hogan is where we would stay, and first heard about Hogan's explanation, the restroom location, and other precautions, and then we had a brief relaxing time. It was just before night, so I took photos and took a walk around. .

The evening sky is mixed with pale colors.

Meanwhile, Navajo staff prepare dinner.

4. Dinner time! Dinner is Navajo Taco! A meal featuring fried bread made from cornflower, a traditional Navajo dish, and vegetables, beans, steaks and more! It is also suitable for vegetarians. The Navajo Taco's Flybread suits Japanese people very well. Freshly made and really tasty. Is it like a nostalgic fried kappe bread made thin and soft? Sprinkle powdered with powdered sugar or honey to make it a dessert.

Enjoy a fun time eating with the Navajo people.

5. After the meal, there was a singing and dancing performance by Navajo. And story time.

Navajo songs and dances resonate in the mind and body, and their songs and dances are their culture and life itself.
It seems that fewer people today sing or ceremonies than they used to, but there are still people who have always had the Navajo spirit and value traditional traditions and customs. Our guide, Johnson, is one of them. He said that singing is life itself and shared many stories.

It is said that many of their songs constantly speak to nature, receive messages from the natural world, and are born from them.

Of course, I don't understand the words or the meaning of songs sung in Navajo, but they don't care about them, and the deep message from their songs resonates with them, and I can't help but feel spiritual.

After seeing this wonderful performance, we even presented a surprise handmade bracelet, and we were able to explain each individual's message to the bracelet, which I am truly grateful for.

The story time that follows allows you to hear about what they think of humans and nature, their way of thinking, their culture, habits, and lifestyles, and the stories about Navajo that are told are full of spiritual worldviews.

6. Free time, sleep

The land has become completely dark and quiet, but when you leave Hogan, you will find the wonders of the universe spreading above you. An uneven universe spreads out as far as it goes through a starry sky.

You can see the Milky Way with your naked eye, and there is no word in the extraordinary scenery.

We all sat on the ground for a moment, and each spent a quiet time.

7. After that, I returned to Hogan and went to bed. The photo was taken in November, but the inside of the Hogan was cooked with a wood stove, making it warm and comfortable. There was no need to worry about what I had expected in advance that it might be cold, and I went to sleep surrounded by warm Hogan and the energy of the earth.

8. In the morning, Johnson from Navajo comes to wake him up, adding some firewood. Although there is no water or electricity, there is a tank and bucket that can be used for water, so after washing your face and brushing your teeth with that water, we set off to see the sunrise.

9. It takes about 10 minutes by car from Hogan to reach the Asahi and spectacular view spot.

Seeing the moment when the morning begins at night, there is no word for how beautiful it is. I was impressed that such beautiful art is normally performed here every day.

The sun also showed its face, and it was sunny today. It's the beginning of a refreshing day.

10. Breakfast is a continental breakfast style with cereal, ham, bread, milk and yogurt, fruit, dried fruit and pastries, and the tour ends after breakfast!

The coffee at breakfast was soaking up, but the Navajo tea was also very gentle and delicious. It's perfect as a souvenir. It tasted like chamomile tea. They are available at souvenir shops and nearby supermarkets (it is popular and may be sold out).

lastly

It was only one night, but there was plenty of content. I think it will really bring you experiences you would not have experienced in a hotel accommodation, and will become a good experience and memories in your life.
Above all, it was a rare opportunity to interact with the Native American Navajo people, and their songs and stories really touched my heart, and I was captivated by the beautiful connection between this red earth and the Navajo culture. It will make you want to learn more about America's majestic nature, long history, and beautiful land.

I sincerely recommend Hogan Overnight inside Monument Valley. If you have any questions about overnight or need to make a reservation, please feel free to contact Anami Tour. I'll help you.

Kato Sayaka

Leave your Monument Valley hiking and travel plans to us. Due to my father's influence, I have always loved outdoor activities, and since I was in Japan, I was captivated by the great nature of America and Canada, and as a result, I arrived at the United States, which I had longed for. We currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours that can be created with customers, including completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. We will introduce you to some special options that you can find out because you are a local resident. If you are interested, please visit the website below.

ANAMI TOURS Official Website