John Wayne's Monument Valley Ride ~ November 4 - 8, 2013 ~ plus an optional 5th day - Nov 9 - for you die-hards! Our four-day ~with an optional 5th day~ historic John Wayne's Monument Valley horseback ride and tour takes us deep into "John Wayne Country," located in the heart of the Navajo Tribal Park. Our guide is one of the best and well-known Navajo guides in the valley. Rumor has it her family served as guides for John Ford and know all the locations we want to ride to. The West ... the Real West ... the Reel West .... it doesn't get much prettier, grittier, or awesome than Monument Valley. And if you love John Wayne / John Ford movies filmed here, then this ride is for you. The region, located on the northern border of Arizona with southern Utah, near the Four Corners area, lies within range of the Navajo Nation Reservation. Monument Valley means the valley of the rocks (Navajo: Tse' Bii' Ndzisgaii) and is characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 feet above the valley floor. COST: $1,996 per person Initial Deposit: $500 per person, non-refundable deposit required to book your reservation Final Payment: Due 90 days prior to ride ... July 14th Optional 5th day of riding ... Saturday, November 9th -- additional $299 includes the same as below. Includes Trained horses (you’ll be matched to a horse based on riding abilities) Tack (yes, you may bring your personal saddle) Wranglers Navajo Guide / Historian Three meals a day (sack lunches for saddlebags when riding) Not Included Transportation to and from Monument Valley, Utah Hotel / motel / accommodations -- I highly recommend Gouldings Lodge (435-727-3231 / www.Gouldings.com), where we will have our breakfasts' and dinners' (lunch will be on the trail). It was here John Ford & John Wayne stayed. There is also a movie museum here and the set from one of Wayne's films. I have set aside a number of rooms at Gouldings Lodge for our group. Gouldings Lodge fills up quickly - with or without us. I highly recommend you call Gouldings and make your reservations as early as possible. Mention Great American Adventures so they know to take the room from the block of rooms reserved for us. You can Google other local motels, but most are 20 to 30 minutes away. RV - arriving by RV? Contact Yvonne Chee, campground manager, at 435-727-3231, ex: 2 Transportation Packages, plus Optional Tour Packages for non-riders GAA has made arrangements with East-West Global Tours to arrange your complete transportation package; including roundtrip air, vehicle rental or *motorcoach plus motel accommodations or any combination. *Flight arrivals will be coordinated to facilitate group transfers via motorcoach to share the expense of transportation. Daily tour packages for non-riding spouses can also be arranged. For full description and pricing of transportation packages and optional tour packages, click here: http://eastwestglobaltravel.rezdy.com/4700/john-wayne-historic-ride-transportation-tour-option Or, simply Contact Shawn Elder at 480-648-4735 / sales@eastwestglobaltravel.com / www.eastwestglobaltour.com for all your transportation needs and optional tour packages.
Suggest Cowboy Wear (see Dress Code) not mandatory, just more fun / dress warmly!!
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While surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of this region, we'll specifically focus on the films of John Ford and John Wayne. In fact, John Ford filmed a total of nine movies here including: 1939 film Stagecoach - nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture an Best Director; 1948's Fort Apache; 1949's She Wore a Yellow Ribbon; 1956's The Searchers; |
Some of the many movies filmed here were: 1946's My Darling Clementine; plus, The Eiger Sanction; Wagon Master; Easy Rider; Once Upon a Time in the West; Mission Impossible II; The Marlboro Man cigarette commercials; How the West Was Won; Mackenna's Gold; The Trial of Billy Jack; 1981's The Legend of the Lone Ranger; Back to the Future II and III. |
~ Itinerary ~ Monday, November 4 through Friday, November 8 are ideal dates. The weather - cool and crisp - perfect for riding. Tourists have returned home, leaving this beautiful valley all to ourselves. And very important ... Gouldings Lodge will have rooms available for us. |
| Monday, November 4 Arrive Monument Valley and check into Gouldings Hotel (contact them at 435-727-3231), our headquarters for the week. We'll also have our meals here. 4:30 PM - "Meet & Greet" outside in front of the Movie Museum, weather permitting. Dinner on your own this evening. 8:00 PM - For those interested, we'll watch a John Ford / John Wayne movie! In fact, we may be able to watch a different movie each night! (Gouldings Permitting).
Tuesday - Friday, November 5 - 8 After breakfast each morning, we'll head out to our horses waiting for us deep in the valley. I work with only the best wranglers, hand-picked by me, that know their horses and choose horses for you based on your riding abilities. We'll mount and allow our Navajo guide - also the best in the area - to take us on an adventure I have personally requested. Tuesday night will be a special outdoor cookout for everyone ... including our non-riding spouses. Lunch everyday is on the trail. Wednesday - "John Wayne" Day - wear your best cowboy / soldier attire that would make the Duke proud!! Thursday Night - Costume Contest! For the best looking "John Wayne" dressed individual. The winner will be judged on what he/she has worn for the week, with extra points given for "John Wayne Day" on Wednesday. Friday night dinner will be another special outdoor cookout for everyone, including our non-riding spouses.
Saturday, November 9 optional 5th day of riding!! I was asked, "Gee, if I'm coming all the way to Monument Valley, can't I ride for five full days like on your other rides?" My response, "Ok." And then I started calling the wranglers, Gouldings Lodge and Navajo Guide. The price for this additional day is $299. Includes horses, tack, three meals and guide. Or, if you prefer, you do not have to opt for this additional day and can head home!!
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C'mon Pilgrim ... Let's Ride |
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| Recommended Reading "John Ford and the American West" by Peter Cowie The photos in this coffee table book show many of the areas we'll visit at Monument Valley |
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