Painting in Wool

single year has passed that they have not returned. Some of their finest photographic studies of the Valley through the years have appeared in these pages.

"My first trip but not my last trip" wrote a visitor in the 30's, and he repeats what so many have also written. "Here's to a fine, new airport," and the airport has been put in. "And when we came we thought we had seen everything, but . . . oh!" a statement that, of course, is one that the most travel-weary traveler would make because nothing before will prepare you for the Valley. "God put these monuments here and today we're sure He put you here, too!" wrote some visitors from California in 1948, expressing a gratitude of all travelers who come to enjoy the hospitality of our hosts in the Valley.

Photographers, artists, geologists, anthropologists, and just ordinary travelers have come through the Valley since the Gouldings set up housekeeping for visitors. Lately a new breed has come along: Atomic Energy Commission representatives and uranium prospectors, and, in their search for the magic metal, they have built roads where there were no roads before; so, thanks to them, jeep trips are now possible, opening up so much more of this rock wonderland which we never could have seen before.

Operating a lodge in Monument Valley is not one of the easiest chores in the world. You haul your supplies one hundred and fifty miles; and water was a headache, because water, too, had to be hauled. Luckily, now, that has been arranged. Plenty of water. Not like in the old days when a guest would be given a gallon of water for the evening ablutions and then maybe the hosts would have to borrow some back for the evening soup!

the easiest chores in the world. You haul your supplies one hundred and fifty miles; and water was a headache, because water, too, had to be hauled. Luckily, now, that has been arranged. Plenty of water. Not like in the old days when a guest would be given a gallon of water for the evening ablutions and then maybe the hosts would have to borrow some back for the evening soup!

A couple of years ago the water problem was solved. Eight modern, well-appointed cottages with refrigeration and radiant heating, were install eating, were installed to supplement other accommodations. About the time this is read, eleven more cottages, equipped up-to-date in every detail, will be ready for occupancy. Things are getting kind of fancy up there in the Valley! (The address, incidentally, in case anyone would be interested is: Goulding's Lodge, Monument Valley, via Kayenta, Arizona.) Here you even have to travel for your mail!

The guest book in the Valley is dotted with the wonderful drawings of Jimmy Swinnerton, noted artist and cartoonist. And, in honor of his repeated visits, a bridge has been named for him. The poets, too, have been along.

All of this, and much, much more, is found in the guest book of the Valley, a revealing document for those who like to go to new and distant places. R.C.