Window Rock Tribal Park

The Navajo word is Tségháhoodzáním, meaning "rock-with-hole-through-it." This feature is a sacred place, used by the Navajo for certain water ceremonies. It is also the name of the town around it that is the capital of the Navajo Nation and the seat of government. The small park below the rock formation is dedicated to the Navajo veterans who have given their lives fighting in wars for the United States. The Navajo are ardent patriots, in spite of the terrible treatment they received during the 1800s and despite the fact they they were denied U.S. citizenship until 1924. The Navajo Code Talkers are particularly honored at this place. These men developed a code based on the Navajo language (considered the hardest language in the world to learn) and served very bravely in the Pacific in World War II. They  carried 100-pound radios onto the beaches and through the jungles and were often some of the first to land.

This little park is a lovely spot to walk and contemplate. The namesake feature is stunning and unusual for this part of the Colorado plateau--resembling more the features at Arches National Park.