It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Monument Valley gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Monument Valley, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Emily and I (Nolan) are very grateful you all gave us the opportunity to work”
“I have used this company for a few of my residents. They take such good”
“I can’t say enough about Always Best Care. Henry and his staff was there from”
“They were wonderful watching my husband why I had to work stayed right with him”
“I work with Always Best Care and it's been an amazing experience for me. I”
“Amazing staff! I am so glad to have found Always Best Care, it is a”
“I’m so glad we found Always Best Care to help our family take care of”
“I have used the services of Always Best Care since Sept. 2021. I have been”
“Always Best Care is amazing! All of the caregivers are professional and provide the best”
“Great staff. Working around my schedule and always there when I need them.”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and”
“They really care about their clients and staff, fast turnaround and superb care”
“The owners and staff at Always Best Care are so professional and friendly! With aging”
“The staff are exceptional and truly have their patients best interest in mind. Grateful to”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have organized and caring faculty and staff. They genuinely care”
“Great place to work. They are very helpful and also fast to respond to any”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we”
“Great to work with, caring, compassionate and willing to work with different situations! They take”
“The caregivers and staff at Always Best Care of St George are top notch. I”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we”
“Friendly and knowledgeable staff!”
“Emily and I (Nolan) are very grateful you all gave us the opportunity to work here. We had excellent experiences with management, caregivers, and our clients. We are thankful for your patience with our schedules and experience. We have learned a lot from being here, and we hope that our experiences from being here can be for our future benefit. We’d recommend working at ABC to our friends because of the great experiences we’ve had her. Emily and Nolan”
“I have used this company for a few of my residents. They take such good care of their clients and do such a good job at taking the time with each and every one of them. They go above and beyond for their clients. I’d definitely recommend them!”
“I can’t say enough about Always Best Care. Henry and his staff was there from the start to help me find a sitter. I was in a position where I needed immediate help and they came through. His staff was caring and responsible. They helped me through a very difficult time.”
“They were wonderful watching my husband why I had to work stayed right with him so he didn’t fall”
“I work with Always Best Care and it's been an amazing experience for me. I have learned so much about not only our patients we help, but the compassionate hard working people that are behind it all. I'm so grateful to work with such a caring, kind and helpful company they really do treat you like family❤. Not only are they giving back each day to patients who need them they are kind and caring to their employees as well. I love working for this company!”
“Amazing staff! I am so glad to have found Always Best Care, it is a blessing. I live 300 miles away from my elderly parents and cannot always travel, it’s comforting to know that my parents are in great hands and that I don’t have to worry about them. The staff is well trained and the management goes above and beyond to meet your needs. I think of them as angels in disguise!”
“I’m so glad we found Always Best Care to help our family take care of my grandpa! They have been amazing to work with. It’s such a relief to find a company that has open communication and cares about their clients and the clients family, too!”
“I have used the services of Always Best Care since Sept. 2021. I have been very pleased with the attentive care they have given my husband. They have been flexible, accommodating, and gone the extra mile helping with my husband's needs. As an example, I was away for the day and I was called by the caregiver that my husband was not doing well. I came home and we decided to take him to the emergency room. The caregiver came with us and stayed at the hospital for hours. He was released with the medication he needed for his recovery and she helped bring him home and get him settled before she left. This was way into the night and passed her normal working hours. One of my requests before hiring on a Senior Service was that the caregivers enjoyed their job and enjoyed working with challenging patients. I use their service six days a week and every caregiver has been kind, compassionate, and hard working. I really have been pleased.”
“Always Best Care is amazing! All of the caregivers are professional and provide the best care. I have tried multiple different agencies in the area for help with my grandmother and none have been as attentive and helpful as ABC”
“Great staff. Working around my schedule and always there when I need them.”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and beyond providing amazing care for the elderly with the help of trustworthy caregivers! They work as a team which makes the environment of there company so unique. Thank you always best care you have been amazing.”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and beyond providing amazing care for the elderly with the help of trustworthy caregivers! They work as a team which makes the environment of there company so unique. Thank you always best care you have been amazing.”
“They really care about their clients and staff, fast turnaround and superb care”
“The owners and staff at Always Best Care are so professional and friendly! With aging parents, it’s so nice to have the staff here to step in and help with caring for them. They are able to set everything up so quickly and provide the care when we need it! We are so happy we found out about them!!”
“The staff are exceptional and truly have their patients best interest in mind. Grateful to have found a company that will care for my loved ones in a way I would myself. Thank you!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have organized and caring faculty and staff. They genuinely care for their clients and want to help them in the best way possible. We are so happy with the services they provide.”
“Great place to work. They are very helpful and also fast to respond to any questions that I have. Thank you ABC!”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we need more help with our aging parents. The office staff and owners are very professional and kind and they seem to be extremely careful in hiring staff that reflect the same values. I feel safe in trusting the caregivers. It's a huge relief to know that we have someone else who can help fill in when we can't be there or our parents just need more help than we can give.”
“Great to work with, caring, compassionate and willing to work with different situations! They take time to understand needs to accommodate the best way to help! They are trustworthy, dependable and a business you can count on!!????”
“The caregivers and staff at Always Best Care of St George are top notch. I highly recommend them for in home senior care services!”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we need more help with our aging parents. The office staff and owners are very professional and kind and they seem to be extremely careful in hiring staff that reflect the same values. I feel safe in trusting the caregivers. It's a huge relief to know that we have someone else who can help fill in when we can't be there or our parents just need more help than we can give.”
“Friendly and knowledgeable staff!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Monument Valley KOA Journey with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Goulding's Stagecoach Dining Room or visit John Ford Point, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Monument Valley, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Monument Valley, UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Monument Valley, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
1 / 1The pallets are loaded and crews are ready at the new Utah Food Bank headquarters in Blanding. The facility is setfor ribbon-cutting ceremnoies on February 7 and opening to patrons on February 8. Courtesy photoby Sally Jack Contributing writer Utah Food Bank announces the opening of its new Southeastern Distribution Center and Food Pantry in Blanding. Construction on the 18,000 square foot facility began more than a year ago under general contractor Tri-Hurst Construction of Blandin...
| 1 / 1 The pallets are loaded and crews are ready at the new Utah Food Bank headquarters in Blanding. The facility is setfor ribbon-cutting ceremnoies on February 7 and opening to patrons on February 8. Courtesy photo |
by Sally Jack Contributing writer Utah Food Bank announces the opening of its new Southeastern Distribution Center and Food Pantry in Blanding. Construction on the 18,000 square foot facility began more than a year ago under general contractor Tri-Hurst Construction of Blanding, with subcontractors Northern Electric, Redd Mechanical and others contributing to the structure with their areas of expertise. A ribbon cutting for the new facility will take place Wednesday, February 7 from 10:30 to 11 a.m., followed by an Open House and tours from 11 a.m. to noon. Although the ribbon cutting and open house on the 7th will be by private invitation only, Southeast Distribution Center Director R.T. Nielson reports that individuals who are interested in taking a tour of the facility are welcome to call for an appointment, or drop by anytime during business hours for a personal tour.The Food Pantry will open doors for business on Thursday, February 8. The completed distribution center includes a 1,800 foot pantry where qualifying persons may pick up food for their families much like a grocery store. When patrons arrive, they will be given a chart which shows eligibility requirements based on family size and income. Patrons will self-declare if they qualify for the services. Those who qualify will then be given a card which indicates a certain amount of times per month they may visit the food pantry, typically twice a month, and also the amount of grocery products they may choose, also based on family size and income. The Food Pantry is open to all individuals who come, but will most likely serve mainly those from San Juan County. San Juan County residents face significantly higher rates of hunger compared to the state average, where 20 percent of children in the county are uncertain about their next meal, which is double the statewide average. Because of the high need in the county, funding through the state of Utah was secured for the new facilities, allowing the new distribution center and pantries to remain debt free. A nonprofit foundation since 1904, Utah Food Bank is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Utah Food Bank has been actively serving San Juan County for 30 years, but without the infrastructure the new facility brings. The Government of Utah works closely with the food bank, but food pantries are generally owned and operated by individual groups and entities such as individual counties, community groups, or various religious denominations. According to RT Nielson, there are upwards of 200 food banks in Utah, but this is the first to be owned and operated directly by Utah Food Bank. In March, two additional food pantries owned by Utah Food Bank will open in Monument Valley and Montezuma Creek, and a fourth food pantry will soon open in Kanab. The Navajo Nation is classified as a food desert, with average driving time to food resources taking up to several hours one-way, so the opening of two food resources within the Navajo Nation will reduce this barrier. During the Covid pandemic of 2020, it became clear that there was a serious need for better food services in San Juan County. The previous model of dispatching a single truck on a weekly basis to the remote areas of the county proved insufficient to provide adequate relief. In addition, families had to drive long distances early in the morning, and sit in their cars waiting for the food truck to arrive. Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank President and CEO states, “the new facilities will make it possible for us to be helping and serving people more effectively and efficiently and in a much friendlier manner than passing a box of food through a car window. We look forward to being a part of the community in this way. It’s a win / win situation for all involved.
UPDATE: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park was removed from this article on September 25 after the announcement of its closure during the eclipse. ...
UPDATE: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park was removed from this article on September 25 after the announcement of its closure during the eclipse. More information.
I’m the world’s only “eclipse journalist.” For the very latest on the “ring of fire” solar eclipse—including the latest travel and lodging options—please press the big blue “follow” button above or check my main feed for new articles each day.
The “ring of fire” solar eclipse may be visible from nine U.S. states on Saturday, Oct. 14, but it’s to Utah that a large number of eclipse-chasers will head.
Only from within a narrow 125 miles wide path will it be possible to see the “ring of fire” (most Americans will see a partial solar eclipse), but within Utah there are so many scenic choices. The state also has a favorable climate for clear skies and some of the darkest night skies in the U.S.
Entering the state at 10:24 am MDT on Oct. 14, the “ring of fire” will last as long as 4 minutes and 40 seconds in Utah close to the centerline, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com.
It will cross many U.S. National Parks—from Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon to Grand Staircase-Escalante, Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge.
And that’s just for starters. Here are 12 places to see the “ring of fire” in Utah:
Note: several of these suggested locations are in the backcountry where facilities and resources are few. Be prepared to bring everything you need—a full tank of fuel, food, cash, toilet paper, ice—because it may not be available in your location. Many businesses in southeastern Utah have Navajo employees, which means they may not be open during the morning. Follow the Visit With Respect guidelines.
10:27 a.m. MDT, 2 minutes 36 seconds
Over 10,000 visitors came to Bryce Canyon National Park for the 2012 “ring of fire,” so expect “a very busy day.” The Bryce Canyon shuttle and shared-use bike path will be the only ways of getting in and out, though there are organized events. The night before will see a lecture at 8 p.m. at the North Campground Outdoor Theater by NASA Lunar Scientist Dr. Barbara Cohen while the night after the eclipse will feature an evening program by Caltech postdoctoral fellow Cameron Hummels, also at 8 p.m, with telescope viewing planned afterwards.
10:26 a.m. MDT, 4 minutes 36 seconds
Although many will head to Sevier on the centerline, Marysvale just short on Highway 89 will see a long-lasting “ring of fire.”
10:28 a.m. MDT, 2 minutes 54 seconds
This normally lesser visited Utah State Park west of Moab will likely be busy on Oct. 14 and it is confirmed to be holding an event. Goblin Valley State Park has mushroom-shaped hoodoos. It’s going to be busy and cost $40.
MORE FROM FORBESYour Complete Travel Guide To October's 'Ring Of Fire' Solar EclipseBy Jamie Carter
10:27 a.m. MDT, 4 minutes 40 seconds
South of Capitol Reef National Park is the town of Boulder, home to an 11th-12th century Puebloan village inside the Anasazi State Park Museum. There’s a 67-mile long Burr Trail to Bullfrog past the remote Henry Mountains.
10:27 a.m. MDT, 4 minutes 22 seconds
South of Boulder in Escalante, Lower Calf Creek Falls is an easy circular trail totaling 6.2 miles. Just to the south is Kiva Koffeehouse.
10:30 a.m. MDT, 1 minutes 7 seconds
Although most the Islands In The Sky section of Canyonlands National Park is outside of the path, its Grand View Point Road reaches into it for a brief “ring of fire”—and a long display of Baily's beads.
10:29 a.m. MDT, 4 minutes 31 seconds
Near the Four Corners, but slightly away from the major attractions, this small town on the San Juan River is on the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway. If you’re headed to this backcountry location then heed this advice.
10:29 a.m. MDT, 4 minutes 40 seconds
A deep canyon above a meander (gooseneck) in the San Juan River, Goosenecks State Park’s Ring of Fire Fest event will have telescopes, solar binoculars, food booths and some free solar eclipse glasses. $5 entry.
10:29 a.m. MDT, 4 minutes 27 seconds
Home to Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu natural bridges and the world’s first-ever International Dark Sky Park, Natural Bridges National Monument might just be off the beaten track.
10:29 a.m. MDT, 4 minutes 40 seconds
A quiet scenic backcountry area—a 17 mile loop—close to Mexican Hat, Valley of the Gods requires a 4x4. San Francisco-based museum Exploratorium plan to live stream the eclipse from here beginning 9:00 a.m. PDT.
10:29 a.m. MDT, 4 minutes 40 seconds
A settlement on the banks of the San Juan River, Mexican Hat has a one of Utah’s strangest rock formations and could make a good location away from the crowds elsewhere in this region.
I am the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of “The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024.”
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Arguably one of the most photographed places on Earth, Monument Valley is the quintessential picture of the American West. The valley covers about 92,000 acres along the border of Arizona and Utah. You may have seen this iconic landscape in several John Wayne movies as the Hollywood star rode a horse through these sandy plains. You can travel for miles on horseback amid towering sandstone pillars that are peppered throughout this Navajo Tribal Park....
Arguably one of the most photographed places on Earth, Monument Valley is the quintessential picture of the American West. The valley covers about 92,000 acres along the border of Arizona and Utah. You may have seen this iconic landscape in several John Wayne movies as the Hollywood star rode a horse through these sandy plains. You can travel for miles on horseback amid towering sandstone pillars that are peppered throughout this Navajo Tribal Park.
Between the red rock formations and the sandstone towers, the valley contains evidence of eons of nature’s constructive and destructive power. Formed during the Permian period, this patch of land once formed part of a seafloor where sediments and sandstone piled up in layers for millions of years. Tectonic forces raised the slab above the water line and created a plateau. Then water and wind chipped away at the sedimentary rock and removed the softer materials, eventually giving us the towering structures that we see today.
The natural-color composite image at the top of this page gives a sense of the topography of the valley. The image was made from data acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 from May 8, 2018, and from a digital elevation model (the National Elevation Dataset of the U.S. Geological Survey).
The second image was captured by OLI on Landsat 8 on November 14, 2016. The shadows in this straight–down (nadir) satellite view give some sense of the elevation differences between the mesas and buttes that extend 400 to 1,000 feet above the valley floor. The floor is sand and siltstone and appears red due to the presence of iron oxides, while manganese oxide makes some rocks appear blue–gray. Researchers dubbed a similar landscape on Mars as “Monument Valley” because of the similarities to this Navajo park.
November 26, 2016JPEG
The first known human inhabitants of the area were the Anasazi Indians, who settled here in 1200 B.C.E. and created pictographs that are still visible today. The valley and monument area is now home to the Navajo Nation, one of the largest American Indian tribes. Called “Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii” (“Valley of the Rocks”) by the Navajo, Monument Valley is not technically a national park. It is managed by the Navajo Parks & Recreation Department. Tourists can travel along U.S. Route 163, the only road that passes through the park, or venture off the path on horseback or car with a Navajo guide.
NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens and Mike Taylor, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and topographic data from the National Elevation Dataset (NED). Story by Kasha Patel.
A resident of Monument Valley has opened a new community center in August to provide support to her community. The TséBii’Ndzisgaii Community Center opened earlier this year under the direction of 24-year-old Shandiin Herrera.Herrera grew up in Monument Valley, UT and graduated from Monument Valley High in Kayenta, AZ before earning a Public Policy degree from Duke University.Herrera came back to her hometown in 2019 as part of the initial class of the Lead for America Hometown Fellowship. She now serves on the boa...
A resident of Monument Valley has opened a new community center in August to provide support to her community. The TséBii’Ndzisgaii Community Center opened earlier this year under the direction of 24-year-old Shandiin Herrera.
Herrera grew up in Monument Valley, UT and graduated from Monument Valley High in Kayenta, AZ before earning a Public Policy degree from Duke University.
Herrera came back to her hometown in 2019 as part of the initial class of the Lead for America Hometown Fellowship. She now serves on the board for the organization.
Lead for America helps recent graduates across the US return home to do community development work in areas where challenges can outpace available resources.
“After being in North Carolina for four years, I definitely felt this pull to come home,” said Herrera in an interview with Redrock 92.7 FM.
“It’s really difficult for young people to come back to rural communities, especially on the Navajo Nation where our unemployment rate is regularly at 50 percent.
“When thinking about my next step, I was very grateful for the Lead for America organization, but it was challenging to think about how I could impact my community and just as I was finding my footing a global pandemic hit.”
Herrera was working as a Policy Analyst and Project Consultant for the Oljato Chapter when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Navajo nation.
Her vision to open a community center in Monument Valley was delayed as she dove into relief efforts helping create a nonprofit known as Yee Ha’ólníi Doo, which translates to “May our people have fortitude in times of difficulty.” The nonprofit does business as the Navajo and Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund.
The organization has helped organize relief efforts and distribute funds across the Navajo and Hopi nations, raising more than $18 million. Most of the relief funds have provided food, water, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other essential items.
Among the donations, $7 million came through GoFundMe efforts. An additional $10 million came from MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
While the Navajo and Hopi Families Covid-19 Relief Fund has focused on food, water, and PPE, the organization has also delivered 800 hand washing stations for homes without indoor plumbing, 75 boxes of winter clothes for children, and more than 140 tons of coal to heat homes.
Through these various programs, the organization served more than 500,000 people, including 86,997 households through their food distribution program and 140,000 individuals through their PPE program.
In addition to sitting on the all-woman board for Yee Ha’ólníi Doo, Herrera was also the distribution lead for Monument Valley.
“In the Monument Valley area, we were able to provide over 1,300 PPE kits and serve over 1,400 households through our food distribution program,” said Herrera. “It was just an amazing opportunity for me and my family, who served as my volunteer team.”
With vaccination rates up on the Navajo Nation and corresponding restrictions loosened, Herrera was able to open the Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii community center in August.
The Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii community center is an initiative of Yee Ha’ólníi Doo. The organization envisions opening additional centers on Navajo and Hopi lands in the future.
The new community center is located at the Monument Valley Welcome Center in Buildings A & B and features a business center with WIFI connection, printing/scanning and copying capabilities, a shared workspace, conference room, library, and classroom.
Since its grand opening, the center has had 218 visitors through September 24.
Herrera says the center was identified as a priority during a listening tour she held in 2019.
“I spent about four months reaching out to organizations and community members in the Monument Valley area,” she said. “Having really great conversations with people and learning about what they want and what they need out of our community.”
A community center was the number one priority identified. Herrera says Monument Valley wants a safe place for their families to go and access resources, such as broadband and computer access which can be hard to come by.
“My mom was a high school counselor for 30 years,” she said. “I was very fortunate to have access to her office to get on the computer but there were times where we didn’t have access and we’d have to travel up to Blanding.
“People were regularly traveling over 140 miles to access a computer or fax paperwork and so having that available for our people here again is just a dream come true for me personally.”
In addition to current services offered at the center, Herrera looks forward to opening a coffee and gift shop open at the center. Herrera says they’d like to see artisan-led workshops and provide a place for those who take the classes to sell their art at the gift shop.
“The idea is really to promote our entrepreneurs and bolster opportunities for young leaders and community members [and] create this beautiful and safe place for community members to convene.”
Although Herrera had planned to leave at the conclusion of her two-year fellowship, she’s staying for another year.
“With the work that I’m doing, I felt a need to stay home a little bit longer so I deferred law school one more year, to stay in my community and became the new director of our community center.”
Herrera will attend Law School at Arizona State University next year.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MVCC@NavajoHopiSolidarity.org additional information can be found on their webpage NavajoHopiSolidarity.org and their Facebook page: Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii Community Center.
You can listen to Shandiin Herrera’s Red Rock 92.7 Radio Interview here: https://redrock92.podbean.com/e/sep-14-interview-shandiin-herrera-direct...
The San Juan School Board approved a site for a new Utah State University (USU) facility in Monument Valley on October 13.The approved site is northwest of Monument Valley High School on Monument Valley Road, which leads to Gouldings.School board member Nelson Yellowman said the approved site is “probably the best site for utility infrastructure and access to Monument Valley High School.”Preliminary work on the project envisions a 12,867 square foot building with an estimated $10 million price tag.The ...
The San Juan School Board approved a site for a new Utah State University (USU) facility in Monument Valley on October 13.
The approved site is northwest of Monument Valley High School on Monument Valley Road, which leads to Gouldings.
School board member Nelson Yellowman said the approved site is “probably the best site for utility infrastructure and access to Monument Valley High School.”
Preliminary work on the project envisions a 12,867 square foot building with an estimated $10 million price tag.
The next step in the process is to draw up a lease agreement between the university and the school district.
Currently, USU offers courses in the site of the old Seventh Day Adventist Hospital near Gouldings.
In other business at the October 13 meeting, it was reported that a total of 2,880 students were enrolled in the San Juan School District on October 1, representing a drop of 49 students over the past year.
While the one-year total dropped, the number is very close to the 2019 figure, which was 2,891.
“Our numbers are relatively stable over the past two years,” said Superintendent Ron Nielson, discounting the 2020 year, which was totally disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Six of the 12 schools in the district did not have in-school instruction in 2020.
Enrollment varies by school, by ethnicity, and by age group. See the chart on page A5.
A total of 1,682 students in the district are classified as Native American, with 1,226 students classified as White, and 188 students classified as Hispanic.
The individual schools are mostly homogeneous, with at least 97 percent of the students in the Monument Valley, Montezuma Creek, and Navajo Mountain schools classified as Native American.
In the Monticello and La Sal schools, at least 91 percent of the students are classified as White.
The Blanding schools are split, with 56 percent of the students classified as White.
Over the past year, enrollment numbers grew by 16 students in the Montezuma Creek schools and fell by 45 students in the Monument Valley schools, by 12 in the Monticello schools, and by eight in the Blanding schools.
The numbers are similar across age ranges, with all 13 age groups having between 200 and 243 students.
There are 173 more male students than female students in the schools, with 1,526 boys and 1,353 girls.
The school district is pulling back on plans to remodel the conference building in Blanding.
The district had set aside $500,000 to remodel the building, which was originally constructed more than 60 years ago by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a seminary building.
Business Manager Tyrel Pemberton reports that an analysis by Tri-Hurst Construction showed that the building may have structural issues, in addition to challenges related to energy use and ADA codes.
Nielson reports that the school district, like many organizations, is experiencing difficulty finding employees for many positions.
It is creating a growing problem for the school secretaries who coordinate substitute teachers.
“Our secretaries are reporting tremendous pressure to try to find subs,” said Nielson, and the calls to order a substitute are coming in the hours when the secretaries are off work.
Nielson said that one direction the district could move is to hire a single employee to coordinate substitutes for the entire district.
Another option is to possibly move some of the work hours to the school secretaries to after regular business hours.
Either way, said Nielson, “We can’t continue asking people to work off the clock.”
Nielson reviewed the district COVID-19 situation and said, “I feel pretty good with where we are at right now. Numbers have been up and down but not drastic changes.”
Every morning, the district reports the number of active cases in each school. On October 19, there were 17 active cases in the district, with nine cases in the Blanding schools, five in the Monument Valley schools, and three in the Monticello schools.
“I don’t know to what degree students who may be sick are being tested,” said Nielson. “The numbers may not be 100 percent accurate.”
Monique McDermott, the new principal at Blanding Elementary School, reported to the board.
McDermott stated that three goals at the school are to work with the new assistant principal at the school, to develop a school wide behavior support system, and to expand professional development opportunities for teachers who teach writing and vocabulary.
With 525 students, Blanding Elementary is by far the largest school in the district.
The board presented San Juan Sweet Job awards to Craig Swenson, a Career and Technical Education teacher at San Juan High, Chandra Hart, who teaches at Blanding Elementary, and Sheri Pugh, who serves as a counselor at San Juan High.
The school board declined to join a class-action lawsuit regarding vaping products sold through Juul Labs. Two legal firms have approached school district about separate lawsuits.
Superintendent Nielson reports that 31 of the 41 school districts in Utah have joined the lawsuit.
The school board approved new math texts for seventh and eighth grade students. The math texts for high school students was adopted in 2017.
The school board also approved changes in activities for schools in the River Region. Nielson said that COVID and other factors has caused “a lot of revisions and changing in the athletic schedules.”
The next school board meeting is on November 10.
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