The Southwest at Its Most Authentic
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 6/10/05
Although it is not the "posher" of the two motels in Chinle, Canyon de Chelly Inn is spacious, well located for sightseeing, clean and friendly, with large rooms and a great swimming pool. But the stellar attraction of the Inn is its surroundings--the eternal beauty of Canyon de Chelly (pronounced "de shay") and the friendliness of Chinle, which lies on the westernmost point of the Navajo Reservation in Northeastern Arizona. This area is Native American to the core: you'll hear the Navajo language spoken; you can visit Diné College, a center of Native American studies; and surely you'll explore the apectacular Canyon area by car and along hiking trails. The Inn has a gift shop with a tempting selection of Navajo art objects. The Visitor Center at Canyon de Shay offers a full range of crafts, as well as culture and history exhibits. Tread lightly as you visit: everyone you meet who is not a visitor lives a Navajo lifestyle, graced by one of the most spectacular natural environments on the continent. We recommend the drive up the mountain to Tsaile (pronounced "saily") for a glimpse of the traditional culture of this area. Stay till evening for the colorful desert sunset that surpasses any other to be seen in the Southwest. If you're seeking peace, harmony, and beauty, you'll find them all here quietly awaiting your visit to Canyon de Chelly.