Canyon de Chelly VII final posting by danapommet
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Description
Spider Rock is Canyon de Chelly’s most distinctive feature. It is located where Bat Canyon and Monument Canyon, both finger canyons, off the south side of Canyon de Chelly. The best view is about 16 miles, along the South Rim Drive. This sandstone formation is about 800 feet (240 m) up from the canyon floor. It has been in a Spiderman movie and a US Marine Corp commercial. This part of the canyon is about 1,000 feet deep.
According to traditional Navajo beliefs the taller of the two spires is the home of spider woman. I’ve heard two stories, as to how this elderly Navajo woman was given this name.
From a young Navajo – an elderly woman took shelter between these two towers, on a bitter cold night and woke the next morning, to the site, of a spider weaving a web and thus taught her people how to weave blankets to keep warm.
From a Navajo elder – basically the same story except the blanket that kept her warm that night was woven with a plain striped pattern. It was a series of stripes that were different colors and no design. What the spider taught the elderly women that morning were the intricate designs that made the Navajo blankets famous. I prefer the latter.
Some info from the National Park Service, Wikipedia and Navajo people I had talked to.
Posting scanned from a 1996 photo.
Thanks for stopping by, taking a peak and for all your previous comments.
Dana
Comments (29)
Fascinating place Dana. And excuse me if I've said this before...IT REALLY IS:-)
Splendid place, love your photos!
It is a very beautiful place.
Dana, you've given me a wonderful tour of an area that I've read about in Tony Hillerman's books! Thank you very much for this
What a view ! Wowwwww
this is gorgeous!!!
Amazing shot!
Excellent!
many thanks for the picture, i know this place, have been there on honeymoon 23 years ago:) very well composed!
Looks big... no wait... Looks small???? Awesome shot :)
Loved the story about the blankets... amazing place.
Spider Woman would have been the spider between the spires because it was she who taught the Navajo women to weave. Her husband, Spider Man, made the first loom from things like the earth and lightning bolts. The Navajo weaving tradition is at least three hundred years old and done almost entirely by women. There are a very few accomplished male weavers in recent years, however. Women did and still do support their families by creating blankets and rugs for sale. Young Navajo girls create their first blanket at about the age of 6. Ok. that's not really about this photo... back on track, I love this view of the many spires of all sizes and the wandering water. I knew the story of the weaving however, as in all tales, I had heard it a little different and with more leading up to the weaving discovery and a lesson in hard work given in the end. :-) But its pretty much the same story you heard but with more words.
Astonishing!
This is my favorite of the series for many reasons. First, the POV is astonishing, truly gives you and idea of how high and huge and beautiful this place is. Then, the story--whichever version you want to believe, it simply adds to the magic. Thanks for sharing these!!
fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
Those two rocks are incredible
Great POV! nice series Dad. :~)
Made me feel real giddy, fabulous shot, I like the thought of the 2nd story. Great in zoom!!!!!
marvelous capture!!
wow ..what a view!!!
A spectacular POV! Were you in a balloon? {;-) Fantastic story.
impressive hoodoos, thanx for sharing again
What a dramatic view, wow!
SPIDER ROCK TERRIFIC SHOT AND WONDERFUL WORK !!!
Amazing POV! It makes my stomach do flippy flops. Excellent capture and great narrative!
I like both stories, wonderful series Dana!
very impressive place and landscape
stunning landscspe !
Nobody sculpts like Mother Nature! Great shot!