Bisti Badlands BLM photo-Spot and Navajo sacred Landmark Shiprock - in the Uncrowded part of New Mex

[@delstanley1349]

My first trip in the Four Corners region was in 1987. I did all the national and many state parks in all four states. I even squatted on all fours at the four state boundary area. It was free then. I'm sure glad I went to Arches and Zion then, they are so crowded today you must make reservations! Back then I could go anywhere in the area just by driving up. The major difference these days seem to be that more younger visitors are coming. Good for them. Back in the day it seems that most of the visitors retirees. Not anymore. I personally didn't want to wait, nor was I assured to reach a ripe old age and see all the beauty. I slept in my truck just outside Monument Valley for free and there were no cabins or hotels on site. The next day I did check into a hotel in Kayenta, AZ. I waited all day for sunset to take some pictures. Bad move. The highway to MV was shut down for the last few rays of sunlight because a commercial was being made while we waited on the highway! I'm glad I wasn't there when they were filming "Forest Gump" years later! I went back in 1990 and got my pics. This may surprise you, but at some of the parks then (1987) I heard more German than English! In fact in some parks the interpretive signs were also German or Swiss. Euros in American parks is NOT a recent thing. One of the favorite places for Euros beyond the four corners region is Death Valley. IN THE SUMMER! Yes, they plan their trip for a summer visit, hoping to be there on a record day for heat. Yes, they HOPE TO BE THERE when the temperature is the hottest it has ever been since records were kept and to be able to say they were there when it happened! Sadly a German family died there a few years ago. I can't remember if they found all family members. Anyway US parks are a big thing in Europe and has been for some time now. I've been through Farmington many, many times and have passed by Shiprock (the butte?) on the highway but have never stopped by. Most of the time I turn off on NM 170 and go north before I get there. In that area I once spent the night at a place called Angel Peak off US 550 south of Bloomfield. I was coming from Chaco Culture. Anyway, I enjoy your videos especially in that part of the world. Thanx!

[@TheWestisBig]

Glad to hear your stories and that u enjoy the videos My 100 + minute video on Utah’s parks. Btw- i mention, before Covid about 2/3s of visitors are from Europe. Now i think it is a lot of young folks from US. I’m planning another trip when it cools down.

[@ValerieGonzalez]

Great writing, or narrating! I also really appreciate your production value. Thanks for sharing your experience 🙏🏼🤍

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks so much! I work hard on it. It’s nice to finally hear it’s appreciated! thanks

[@johnnypark3729]

Wow!!! Your video’s are the BEST!!! As a FullTime RV’er, you have provided us with so much valuable information on places to discover in this Beautiful Country! Thank you

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks. it takes a lot of time!

[@beebeesfuntasticadventures6110]

Beautiful, amazing, fantastic job.

[@TheWestisBig]

Thank you very much!

[@texasranchadventures]

I first saw shiprock while flying back to Texas from Yosemite. It was such an amazing sight and I looked up the area as soon as I got home. It’s on my list of places to visit.

[@TheWestisBig]

It’s amazing!

[@kayzeaza]

The west is blessed with beautiful landscapes. No wonder why Americans wanted the land!

[@martinforrester8249]

Travelled to Shiprock from Farmington in 1994, what a mystical place. I also spent 2 days drooling over the amazing Chaco Canyon. Oldtimer Englishman from Shropshire reliving some past adventures. Love the South West.

[@TheWestisBig]

So cool! I assumed you've watched my Chaco video- it's one of my "Road Less Traveled" videos

[@martinforrester8249]

@@TheWestisBig I did indeed. Prior to going to Shiprock, I had spent fascinating day at a Totah festival at the Civic Centre there. I chatted to different tribe members before purchasing lots of jewelry from artists exhibiting their wares. So colourful and inspiring.

[@raymiller764]

great video, like it so much I saved it!!!

[@TheWestisBig]

that’s great thanks!

[@evalenasbabys]

Grant county New Mexico has some amazing views nestled in the Gila forest, we have cliff dwelings and many Native American cultural sites….

[@TheWestisBig]

cool

[@andreasausmuc]

What a wonderful, inspiring video - and I really love that theme of the roads less traveled - and what amazing views even with those wild fires.

[@TheWestisBig]

Glad to hear it. FYI- there are a few more videos on my channel with the road less traveled theme.

[@andreasausmuc]

@@TheWestisBig I had a quite long, relaxed breakfast and clicked through some of those. Just didn't have enough time to comment yet - just 👍ed 😉

[@TheWestisBig]

ah good. thanks

[@christang2113]

If you say you took these images and videos on Mars, I will believe you, lol. These places look really unique, especially the Shiprock, for some reasons it reminds me of the “Wall” from “Game of Thrones”.

[@TheWestisBig]

Its a cool place.

[@Jen_Is_Outside]

Your videos are bad ass. Thank you!

[@TheWestisBig]

thanks. i wish i could get more folks to watch them

[@nathmad7140]

Very interesting video and wonderful vues from your drone. You could not do the same in national parks..thank you

[@TheWestisBig]

thanks. and yes it’s true it is illegal to fly a drone in a national park. so i don’t

[@ahalgormeli401]

👍

[@jayhenderson6506]

I'm surprised more people don't at least interact by clicking like. It takes virtually no time. I've heard at least interacting supposedly does help with KZbin's algorithms. I like to try to help in ways I can.

[@TheWestisBig]

thanks. i wish more would click like. About 70% of my viewers watch my stuff on a TV and its hard to find the like button on TV apps- at least i hope that’s what it is.

[@jayhenderson6506]

@@TheWestisBig You're welcome! I would love to get in there but unfortunately my lady friend and I are not very mobile anymore. Looks so beautiful.

[@jmfoty4280]

Thank you for your video. Long ago I completely circled Shiprock expecting something so dynamic would be at least a state park. What I found was the dirt road leading to the site. I had the sense that I was an intruder into Indian holy ground. I am an astrophotographer planning to shoot the Milky Way at Bisti Badlands. What handheld GPS do you recommend so I can find my car on a moonless night?

[@TheWestisBig]

To the Navajo it is a sacred site. I don’t have a hand held GPS wish i did. Not sure u need one anymore- it’s getting crowded. I hope to do some Astro there this spring.

[@artwidener3098]

@jmfoty4280 when do you plan on going to Bisti?

[@keithwiebe1787]

What is the road like to Bisti?

[@TheWestisBig]

Hwy of course is paved. it’s gravel to the lot but was fine for me. they have had rain this summer so may have changed. this places brings in tourists so i bet they keep it possible

[@didibolter9362]

What kind of insects, animals and reptiles are here?

[@TheWestisBig]

first time for that question. haven’t seen any insects that i can remember. think i have seen a small lizard- i suppose they eat them

[@Jen_Is_Outside]

Tarantulas, rattlesnakes, scorpions, centipedes, jackrabbits, roadrunners..

[@TheWestisBig]

never saw any of those there

[@didibolter9362]

@@TheWestisBig I would say that you were pretty lucky then, I don't like any of those creatures! 🖒 🤗🖒

[@didibolter9362]

@@TheWestisBig Gee, the first time, wow, bugs and things like that is always an instant question from me 😃😄😆