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Claire Samuels

Claire Samuels

Chattanooga, TN, US of A

Someday, I'll go everywhere. Every highway, every back road, every staggeringly beautiful place there is to see in this enormous country.

January 06, 2015
Rated 5.0

There are a lot of crowds, so get going early. Rent the poles and boots, it's not too expensive and they're a massive advantage. Be prepared to be awestruck by one of the most incredible natural phenomena you will ever see. The walls of the narrows are so high and so smooth, carved out over centuries by flowing water, sanded to perfection. The colors are amazing. Take the time to stop and look up at the sky.

10 people found this review helpful
January 06, 2015
Rated 5.0

Definitely do the natural entrance if you have the stamina to walk downhill for a while! The path is paved but slippery--far from spelunking but still an adventure! The inside of the caverns is spectacular, otherworldly, and incredible. I'm a lover of caves in general, so I won't go too in depth on the formations themselves, since there's another page for that, and stick to the 'natural entrance' part of the review. One of the coolest and most unexpected things about the descent is the 'cave swallows,' hundreds of tiny birds that swoop back and forth over the mouth of the cave, making incredible noises that echo all the way down.

2 people found this review helpful
January 06, 2015
Rated

If you go to Alien Zone, pay the $3 to go into the back to the alien dioramas. It's cheesy, ridiculous, and a lot of fun. Especially if you've always wanted your picture taken cuddling up with an alien on a living room couch, or grilling with one at a backyard barbecue. Yes, it's fake and silly, but it is definitely worth the stop if you're in Roswell already. The dioramas are kind of hidden in the back behind the tshirts and everything.

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January 06, 2015
Rated 5.0

From the highway, this formation is beautiful. Take the time from your trip to four corners to drive slowly as you pass it, in search of a small, unpaved side road with one of those yellow grates. It's one of the only holes in the fence that runs along the main road, but it still takes some looking to find. Believe me, it's worth the detour. The drive to Shiprock is probably less than a mile, but there's no road at all, not even a marked path. Be sure your car can handle serious dips, rocks, sand, and gullies.
We went in that golden hour of twilight, and when we finally got to the base of the monument it was so enormous, washed in pinks and purples, that I teared up. On the way back to the main road, my partner stood out the sunroof despite the incredibly bumpy road and watched the rock fade in the oncoming darkness. Truly incredible place.

2 people found this review helpful