Blog postings about Debbie Lamb and her handmade life

Monument Valley - Navajo Nation Utah/Arizona

8/30/2020

This is part fifteen in a series of posts about my visit through parts of Arizona and Utah in September 2019.
(Click words that are bolded for more information.)

Passing through Navajo Nation

Our bus tour through Arizona and Utah was coming to a close. Heading back to Phoenix via the scenic route took us through iconic Monument Valley, a desolate desert punctuated by isolated towering buttes of tremendous beauty. The backdrop of numerous films, this landscape has been photographed by many who pass through this unique area, which is home to the Native Americans who live within the Navajo Indian Reservation that straddles the border of Utah and Arizona and encompasses 27,000 square miles. Due to the health concerns that have dominated 2020, Monument Valley is indefinitely closed to visitors, so I am especially thankful for the opportunity to pass through last year.

Monument Valley in Navajoland

It was a dreary day with threatening rain clouds, but the rain held off while we stopped briefly at Goulding's Trading Post. In the 1920s Harry Goulding and his wife purchased land in the area and began trading with the Navajo people who lived nearby, eventually building a two story stone trading post, with a store on the first level and their residence upstairs. It was the Gouldings who first brought Hollywood to Monument Valley in 1939 with the film Stagecoach, which starred John Wayne. More movies have been filmed here, bringing economic support to the Navajo people. Now a museum, Goulding's Trading Post offers a glimpse into the life of this couple who lived in Monument Valley for decades. The trading post also offers another vantage of the stunning landscape.

The view from Goulding's Trading Post

Dramatic landscape of Monument Valley

I enjoyed the rustic wooden fence, wagon wheels, and other props around the trading post. It would have been nice to linger awhile longer, but the rain finally began to fall and our next stop was the Navajo Museum. There we would meet one of the four remaining Navajo Code Talkers, a 90 year old World War II veteran who had a fascinating story to tell.

Goulding's Trading Post and Museum

Wagon Wheel

Monument Valley as seen from Goulding's Trading Post

What an honor it was to meet a WWII veteran who had served in such a unique capacity! Initially, 29 Navajos were recruited by the United States Marines in 1942 to develop a secret code for use during the war. Up until then, the Japanese had cracked every code that had been used. Based on the unwritten Navajo language, this code enabled the success of the Pacific campaigns of WWII. Beginning with these first 29 young men, over 400 Navajos became Code Talkers.

Many of the Navajos who joined the Marines were underage, including the gentleman we heard at Navajo Museum. Because secrecy was vital to the successful development and implementation of the code, these young men did not even know what they had signed up for. Those first 29 men developed the code and the others memorized the code. All learned to transmit the code with uncommon speed and accuracy. The Navajo Code Talkers played a fascinating role during WWII and are worthy of honor and respect.

Navajo Sand Art

The next day we headed back to Phoenix. The bus tour had ended, but we still had one last day to enjoy the Sonoran Desert before traveling back to our home in Florida.

~ Debbie

If you missed the earlier stops, follow the links and enjoy the view.

First stop - Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden here.
Second stop - Montezuma's Castle here.
Third stop - Sedona here.
Fourth stop - The Grand Canyon here.
Fifth stop - The Desert Watch Tower here.
Sixth stop - Glen Canyon and Lake Powell here.
Seventh stop - Zion National Park here.
Eighth stop - Between canyons here.
Ninth stop - Bryce Canyon here.
Tenth stop - Utah's Scenic Byway 12 here.
Eleventh stop - Ancient Petroglyphs here.
Twelfth stop - Goblin Valley State Park here.
Thirteenth stop - Arches National Park here.
Fourteenth stop - Moab, Utah here.
Fifteenth stop - Monument Valley here.
Sixteenth stop - Hole in a Rock here.

0 Comments

More in Moab, Utah

8/22/2020

0 Comments

This is part fourteen in a series of posts about my visit through parts of Arizona and Utah in September 2019.
(Click words that are bolded for more information.)

After our bus drive through Arches National Park, which you can read about here, we spent the rest of the day exploring Moab on our own. People come to Moab, Utah to visit the nearby National Parks, and they come for biking, hiking, driving jeeps, boating and rafting. Some come to ride in hot air balloons. No wonder Moab is called the "Adventure Capital!"

A colorful wall mural

We enjoyed a quiet stroll along the Colorado River. Moab is just one town that the river meanders through, ever southward, on its way to the Grand Canyon and beyond. Here its banks are lined with invasive tamarisk trees and other plants, a ribbon of green beneath the towering red hills.

Tamarisk along Colorado River in Moab, Utah Picture

Tamarisk lined Colorado River

The Colorado River in Moab, Utah

We crossed over the river on a foot bridge to get a closer look at the red rocks. Was there a peek hole in the rocks, an unnamed arch high in the varnished cliffs? Yes, there is. Can you see it, too?

Another arch

A view from under the highway

Red and yellow wasps were buzzing in the heady fragrance of these flowering plants. And the milky white trumpet shaped flowers of Datura plants were open to the sun. Their unpleasant odor is a warning that although beautiful, ingestion of the plant is toxic.

Red and yellow wasp

Datura stramonium, Jimson Weed flower Picture

Datura flower, also known as Jimson Weed

Earlier, we had a chance to see petroglyphs from the bus.These intriguing symbols left by an ancient people remain, mysterious messages carved into the rock varnish of the sheer rock face.

Petroglyphs in Moab

Rock varnish

I spy a bighorn sheep

Humanoid figures carved in stone

Dancing figures all in a row, Barrier Canyon style

More bighorn sheep, top right

This petroglyph panel can been seen on Kane Creek Blvd. There are many other places to see petroglyphs around Moab. Most involve a hike.

In this area centuries ago, people left pictures for others to see, pictures captured in rock. Today, people like me capture pictures with a ...

Metal camera sculpture in Moab, Utah Picture

I spy a wrench and a screw driver

... camera.

Well, not with this metal camera sculpture made of hand tools and other odds and ends. But this unique camera certainly captured my attention, so I captured it with my camera!

There is much more to Moab, and we hope to see more of this area some day. Our next stop is Monument Valley, so come along for the ride!

~ Debbie

If you missed the earlier stops, follow the links and enjoy the view.

First stop - Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden here.
Second stop - Montezuma's Castle here.
Third stop - Sedona here.
Fourth stop - The Grand Canyon here.
Fifth stop - The Desert Watch Tower here.
Sixth stop - Glen Canyon and Lake Powell here.
Seventh stop - Zion National Park here.
Eighth stop - Between canyons here.
Ninth stop - Bryce Canyon here.
Tenth stop - Utah's Scenic Byway 12 here.
Eleventh stop - Ancient Petroglyphs here.
Twelfth stop - Goblin Valley State Park here.
Thirteenth stop - Arches National Park here.
Fourteenth stop - Moab, Utah here.
Fifteenth stop - Monument Valley here.

0 Comments

Arches National Park - Moab, Utah

7/11/2020

0 Comments

This is part thirteen in a series of posts about my visit through parts of Arizona and Utah in September 2019.
(Click words that are bolded for more information.)

Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 sandstone arches

Continuing our tour brought us to the town of Moab, Utah and its prime attraction - Arches National Park. The world's largest concentration of natural arches is located in this National Park. There are over 2,000 arches with openings that range in size from 3 feet to 306 feet. The park receives over a million visitors each year and the wait time to enter the park by car can be lengthy. One advantage of being on a tour bus was quicker entry to the park, but a major disadvantage was the lack of parking. I was disappointed that we were unable to stop at many of the overlooks and viewpoints due to no parking. But we were able to get out and walk around at a few stops, and of course, I took pictures of the stunning scenery.

Besides a myriad of sandstone arches, other unusual red rock formations, hoodoos, spires, and balanced rocks dot the landscape of this National Park's almost 120 square mile area.

Unusual red rock formations in Arches National Park

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock is a popular landform. Standing 128 feet high, the massive rock perched on top seems to defy gravity. There is a short trail that circles its base. The red rocks are a striking contrast against the deep blue sky.

Along the trail, small man-made balanced stacks of rock called "cairns" have been made by park rangers. They add a harmonious artistic element that complements the towering structures of stone nearby, and they serve a useful purpose - marking the trail. But visitors to the park are prohibited from making their own cairns, which can cause confusion on remote trails and disturb the natural beauty that national parks are meant to preserve.

Rock cairn at Arches National Park Picture

Cairns mark the trail

Cairn charm

From the Balanced Rock trail, the Windows Section of the park with more stone arches, including Turret Arch can be seen in the distance with the La Sal Mountains further beyond. The La Sal Mountains are the second highest mountain range in the state of Utah. With peaks up to 12,000 feet, these "Salt Mountains" were an important landmark on the Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Los Angeles, California. On the return drive to Phoenix a few days later, we saw that the first snow of autumn had "salted" the high peaks of the La Sal Mountains.

Arches National Park view of the La Sal Mountains Picture

The Window Section with the La Sal Mountains beyond in the golden glow of a fall morning

That morning, most of the arches had to be seen from the windows of our moving tour bus, but we were able to stop and take the short walk to a beautiful arch "hidden" in a slot canyon shaded by two sandstone fins - Sand Dune Arch. The easy trail leads through deep rust colored sand and becomes quite narrow until opening up into a cathedral like room with a ceiling of blue sky. Sand Dune Arch stands alone. It was quite beautiful with golden sunlight streaming from above.

Sand Dune Arch

Within the slot canyon leading to Sand Dune Arch

A view of the moon adorning a ceiling of blue sky

Perhaps the most photographed arch in Arches National Park is Delicate Arch. With its opening of 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, this beautiful arch is the iconic symbol of the park and is the largest free-standing arch in the park. We viewed the arch from the lower viewpoint, which is one mile away. To get up close involves a 3 mile roundtrip hike up a steep slope of slickrock and takes 2-3 hours. Hundreds of visitors gather throughout the day from sunrise to sunset to take in the view, and some venture out at night.

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park Picture

Delicate Arch viewed from a mile away

Visitors come to Arches National Park to see Delicate Arch

Some of the nearby rocky hills were covered with a beautiful turquoise green layer of earth, a natural patina produced by minerals in the soil.

Natural turquoise green patina

Here are a few more beautiful stone arches that we saw while driving through Arches National Park that sunny day in September 2019:

Several stages of arch formation

And a closer view of the arch on the left

Another arch in the park

Here is another view of Balanced Rock:

Balanced Rock from afar. See more of the turquoise green soil in the distance on the right.

We only spent a few morning hours in Arches National Park. Someday I hope to return and enjoy more time in this awe inspiring land of balancing rocks and stone arches.

That afternoon my husband and I took a scenic walk along the part of the Colorado River that winds through Moab on its southward course through the canyons and deserts of Utah and Arizona through the Grand Canyon and beyond. You are welcome to join us in the next post!

~ Debbie

If you missed the earlier stops, follow the links and enjoy the view.

First stop - Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden here.
Second stop - Montezuma's Castle here.
Third stop - Sedona here.
Fourth stop - The Grand Canyon here.
Fifth stop - The Desert Watch Tower here.
Sixth stop - Glen Canyon and Lake Powell here.
Seventh stop - Zion National Park here.
Eighth stop - Between canyons here.
Ninth stop - Bryce Canyon here.
Tenth stop - Utah's Scenic Byway 12 here.
Eleventh stop - Ancient Petroglyphs here.
Twelfth stop - Goblin Valley State Park here.
Thirteenth stop - Arches National Park here.
Fourteenth stop - Moab, Utah here.

0 Comments

Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

4/19/2020

3 Comments

This is part twelve in a series of posts about my visit through parts of Arizona and Utah in September 2019.
(Click words that are bolded for more information.)

Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

It's been a while since the last post of this tour, which was about ancient petroglyphs in the Fremont River Valley of Utah. While that post highlighted the strange and fantastic pictures etched into a rock surface bordering a valley, this post is about strange and fantastic rock shapes carved into a valley of red dirt.

Goblin Valley State Park is not as well known as the other canyons that I've written about in previous posts, but it is well worth visiting this remote spot which is located between Capitol Reef National Park and Arches National Park. Unlike the towering spire hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, the hoodoos of Goblin Valley are smaller sandstone formations that resemble mushrooms or the not so nice creatures of fairy tales called goblins. It's interesting that the old German, Norse, and English word for goblin all convey the idea of a hollow or cavity in a cliff, rock, or earth. In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, three trolls turned to stone at sunrise, and I can imagine that the fantastic shapes that fill Goblin Valley State Park could indeed have been goblins or trolls turned to stone in the baking heat of the San Rafael Desert.

Hoodoos of Goblin Valley State Park

There are thousands of goblins in this small valley that is 2 miles long and a mile wide. Visitors are free to roam the area. Three short trails wind through two narrow slot canyons or atop a ridge overlooking the valley. Apparently there are petroglyphs and pictographs here, but we didn't have much time to explore and missed seeing them. Another reason to visit Goblin Valley again!

An eerie landscape

Except for the blue sky, it looks like this valley could be on Mars. I'd much rather visit here.

Like most deserts, Goblin Valley has extremely high temperatures during the hot summer, over 100 degrees, but the nights are much cooler. Most of the hardy animals that live here are nocturnal, starting their day under twinkling stars in the clear night sky. Goblin Valley State Park is a designated Dark Sky Park with one of the darkest night skies in the world. There are camp sites and even two yurts that can be reserved for those who aren't afraid of goblins.

You never know what kinds of travelers you might meet. Apart from the stone goblins that congregated in that valley, we met a macaw, a colorful bird that, when in the wild, makes its home in lush tropical areas. This particular macaw was traveling with its owners in a specially adapted area in the back of their van. We took a few minutes to admire its beauty before leaving the valley of goblins.

A colorful macaw

Near the entrance of Goblin Valley State Park are three hoodoos known as "The Three Sisters." Our next stop would be Moab and Arches National Park where another "Three Sisters" are located. But that is another post for another day. Until then, thanks for joining me in this tour of Arizona and Utah.

~ Debbie

Three Sisters at Goblin Valley State Park Utah Picture

The Three Sisters at Goblin Valley State Park in Utah

3 Comments

How to Sew A Fabric Face Mask

3/22/2020

1 Comment

We are living in strange times. The effects of the coronavirus are far reaching, even to those who haven't gotten sick. Many common household and hospital supplies are hard to come by these days. Some are asking what they can do to help. After seeing a post on social media about the need for face masks, and that fabric ones are an acceptable substitute for the paper face masks usually used, I knew I could help in this way. Not only am I a soap maker, but I have a large stash of 100% cotton fabric from when I was an active quilter. So hi ho, hi ho, it's off to sew I go!

There are many fabric face mask variations. This is just the way I made them.

I used the "Deaconess" pattern found here, but after making a couple masks, I tweaked the pattern so that the mask would fit better over the nose, and I found a process that worked for me. A face mask with straps that can be tied will provide an even better fit, so that will be the next change I make moving forward, but in the meantime, I hope this picture tutorial will be helpful. Feel free to modify and adapt the pattern, just as I did.

Cotton fabric cut 9" x 12"

Cut a 9" x 12" piece of cotton fabric. For a snug fit over the nose, I sewed a small dart on each 9" side. To do that, fold the 9" side in half right sides together so that the folded piece is 4 1/2" x 12." On the cut edge, mark 3/4" from the fold. Then mark 1 1/2" on the folded edge.

On the cut edge, mark 3/4" from the folded edge

On the folded edge, mark 1 1/2"

You can draw a line. I just eyeballed it.

Sew the nose dart on each 9" side. I sewed a few back stitches at the point to secure the dart.

Sewn nose dart

Make a dart in the middle of each 9" side

After making the two nose darts on opposite sides of the fabric, fold the fabric along the 12" side, right sides together, with the dart seams lined up and the darts facing opposite directions.

Line up the cut edges right sides together

Line up darts facing opposite directions

Sew a 1/4" seam across the cut edge with the darts. Make a slight turn where the darts intersect.

Sew across the top, turning at the slight angle where the darts meet

For the straps there are a few options. I started with 1/4" elastic until I ran out. I found that for my face, elastic cut to 7" worked well. But to fit my husband who has a larger face than I do, elastic cut to 7 1/2" was better. I read that loop straps are usually between 6 - 8 inches. This tutorial is for a fabric loop strap.

Tie straps are completely adjustable, so I will make face masks with ties going forward. Plus I'm out of elastic, as is Walmart and Jo-ann's. And I have lots of cotton fabric...

To make the fabric loop straps, cut two pieces of cotton fabric 1" x 7," or for a larger size, cut the fabric 1" x 7 1/2" as shown. Fold each strap in half with the wrong side and long sides together. Then fold the raw edge in to meet at the center fold. The raw edge will be enfolded within the strap. The strap will measure 1/4" when sewn. Yes, it's tiny and a little fiddly to do this. Using elastic is easier.

Cut and fold fabric loop straps. Using an iron is neater, but I just winged it.

Sew down the length of each strap as close to the folded edge as you can. Insert one strap into the mask with one strap edge lined up along the sewn edge of the mask and the short raw end of the strap lined up with the edge of the mask. In the photo, the short edge still needs to be lined up with the edge of the mask.

Strap inserted into the mask, along the sewn seam

Starting at the top where the strap is inserted, sew a 1/4" seam down the short side of the mask, stopping 1/4" from the bottom of the folded edge of the mask. There needs to be an opening to insert the other side of the strap later.

Leave a small opening at the folded end

If you forget to leave an opening, it's easy enough to pick out a few stitches later. Don't ask me how I know.

Now do the same with the second strap on the other side, only this time, leave a 2" gap in the middle of the seam so that the mask can be turned right side out. Then pull the four corners of the mask through the gap so that the mask is now right side out.

Turned right side out. The opening will be sewn shut later.

At this point, using an iron to press the edges neatly together is an option. I just finger pressed the edges together in preparation for inserting the other end of the straps and sewing around three sides of the mask.

Mask turned right side out and edges pressed flat

Starting with the side of the mask that doesn't have the larger opening for turning, insert the end of the strap into the small opening at the bottom of the mask at the folded edge. Insert it far enough into the opening so that it will be sew down in the seam. Insert 3/8" to 1/2" inch.

Insert edge of strap 3/8" to 1/2" into the opening at the folded edge

Sew a 1/4" seam down the short side of the mask. Sew over the strap at the top end of the mask. I back sewed a few stitches over the straps for extra reinforcement. Next, sew a 1/4" seam across the top of the mask, turning slightly at the nose dart.

Sewing across the top of the mask

At the other side, sew down the short edge of the mask, over the inserted strap, continuing down the side, being sure the opening edges are turned inward. Be sure to insert the loose end of the strap 3/8" to 1/2" into the small opening at the folded bottom edge of the mask.

Insert the loose end of the strap before reaching the end.

Inserted end of the strap before sewing

To reinforce the side seams, sew a small 1/8" seam close to the edge of each side. This will also close that large opening on the one side where the mask was turned to the right side.

Mask with ear straps before sewing the tucks. Note the double seams.

To make the mask even more fitted, two tucks are made in the short edges. Many fabric face masks have three tucks, but with the nose dart, two tucks are enough. To make the first tuck, measure 1 1/2" from the top edge of the mask and fold under about 1/2" to make a tuck and pin in place, keeping the edges even.

Make a tuck 1 1/2" from the top edge of the mask

First tuck

For the second tuck, measure 1 1/2" from the folded bottom edge and make a tuck. The two tucks should be facing down towards the folded bottom of the mask. Pin.

Measure 1 1/2" from the bottom edge to make the second tuck.

When the tucks are pinned in place, the short sides of the mask should measure 3 1/4."

Sew a 1/4" seam down each side of the mask, removing the pins before reaching them. It is not a good thing to hit a pin. Don't ask me how I know. I back stitched at both ends of the seam to reinforce the inserted straps. Congratulations! The mask is finished.

Finshed fabric face mask

Wash and dry the mask before donating it to someone you know who needs one. Better yet, make a bunch of them and drop them off at your local hospital, hospice, or nursing home. And make one for yourself. You might need it someday.

Although we live during anxious times, we need not fear. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:4-5 "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:12

As I sew more fabric facial masks in the days to come, my prayer is that those who wear them will not just overcome the coronavirus, but overcome the world by faith in the Son who gives eternal life to those who believe.

~ Debbie

1 Comment

<<Previous

Forward>>

Debbie the Soap maker Enjoying simple pleasures

Blog Categories

Handmade Soaps - Free Shipping - Courage

Discover the benefits of using handmade soap - gentle cleansing, luxurious lather, soft skin. Handmade from start to finish, with beautiful color and wonderful fragrance, natural ingredients are combined to produce a simply unique bar of handcrafted soap.

You are sure to be delighted with my handcrafted artisan soaps. Due to the handmade nature of these beautiful soaps, individual bars may vary from the photos shown. Each bar of handmade soap from The Lathered Lamb is truly one of a kind!

My handcrafted artisan soaps are made using the cold process method of soap making from scratch. Vegetable oils and butters are mixed with sodium hydroxide, resulting in a chemical reaction which produces natural soap. Small batches are made in my kitchen with care and attention to detail. Some batches are limited edition, so snag a bar while they are available because once they're gone, they're gone!

My original soap formulas produce luxury soaps with silky, bubbly lather that gently cleans the skin. These handmade soaps are scented with body safe fragrance or essential oils and are colored with natural pigments. Each bar of my handcrafted soap weighs over 4 ounces and comes wrapped in an attractive label with a complete ingredient list. Shrink wrap protects the soap while ensuring the fragrance can be smelled through an opening in the back.

Did you know that body wash is made with detergents? Sodium lauryl sulfate and other sulfates strip the skin of beneficial body oils. Sure a body wash smells great and looks pretty. Plus the plastic container is convenient, even if it usually ends up in a landfill, but many folks don't realize that they could wash their dishes with that bubbly body wash!

Handmade soap is a simple solution. Sometimes the old ways are better after all. Detergents have only been around for 100 years, after being developed in Germany during World War 1. Soap making, however, has been an ongoing craft for thousands of years.

Handmade soap is an affordable luxury. Pamper yourself or someone special today with a bar of soap from The Lathered Lamb. Live Simply. Use Soap.

To order other fragrances, see individual product listings.

Courage - 4 oz net wt

6 available

Price includes shipping

Courage handmade soap is scented with masculine notes of black peppercorn and leather are carefully crafted with warm woods, patchouli, musk and citrus. The slate blue soap has a textured top.

Ingredients - palm oil, coconut oi, olive oil, sodium hydroxide, castor oil, shea butter, fragrance, ultramarine blue, silk

To order other fragrances, see individual product listings.

Local customers, enjoy the reduced price of $7 a bar, 4 bars for $25, or 12 bars for $70. Please contact me for either pick up or meet up delivery, and I will refund the shipping.

Up to 12 bars of soap from The Lathered Lamb will fit in a flat rate padded envelope.

See What's New

Blog Archives

September 2022
November 2021
May 2021
January 2021
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
June 2018
January 2018
September 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
October 2015
September 2015
April 2015
March 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014

Enter Store

Monument Valley - Navajo Nation Utah/Arizona

More in Moab, Utah

Arches National Park - Moab, Utah

Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

How to Sew A Fabric Face Mask

Blog Categories

If you'd like to receive my blog posts or get first dibs on my latest soaps, sign up below. ​ I promise not to spam you.

Handmade Soaps - Free Shipping - Courage

Blog Archives

If you'd like to receive my blog posts or get first dibs on my latest soaps, sign up below.
I promise not to spam you.