Iconic buttes seen in John Wayne movies, tower in front of Monument Valley visitors center.

I've seen the area, Monument Valley, time and again in old westerns and in commercial backdrops. It is exciting and a bit surreal being here in person.

Officially named Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, it occupies the southeastern corner of Utah and northeastern corner of Arizona. I am pleasantly surprised by the parks accessibility and spectacular views of its iconic buttes from the visitor parking lot and campground.

I'm here in late October so I'm missing the frenzy of summer visitors and fortunately 100 degree temps. Today is a balmy 70 degrees. Perfect for an acclimatized Alaskan.

After driving the tourist loop through the park on a bumpy, washboard road, I've decided to book a Navajo photography guide for the afternoon so that I can get into an area off limits to other visitors.

I meet the guide at 3pm. We are en route to adjacent Mystery Valley where he promises great photography. Not! While he came highly recommended, today he is somewhat cynical and reticent and takes me to areas that have poor lighting.

A shard of pottery found in Mystery Valley. My guide says it is hundreds of years old, but I question that..

It is still interesting, but photographic opportunities are limited. I'm thinking that I could have spent my $100 more wisely.

We get back to the visitors' center just after an incredible sunset. Unfortunately I have been in the wrong place at the wrong time most of the afternoon.

Honeymoon Arch the best photographic opportunity in Mystery Valley.

I return to my hotel room after the long day of touring on bumpy, washboard roads and sandy paths through Mystery Valley to discover my socks are teaming with fine red sand, my teeth and camera gritty and grinding, and hair tinged red.

Despite a few downers, I'm still hyped over what I've seen and experienced in Monument Valley. The towering sandstone buttes smattering the desert landscape I feel are well worth the time, trip and $$$s.