[Stones] Visiting US Prehistoric Sites

[Tim P]

Much later in the year, I'll likely be visiting prehistoric N American 
sites - Native American Indian places. Completely new for me. It is in 
the Four Corners region of the US (Arizona, Utah,
Colorado, New Mexico), especially the Anasazi (The Ancient Ones), 
Navajo, and a little Aztec.

Does anyone have tips, recommendations what to see, how to see it, how 
to perceive it, advice for being in the desert for near two weeks? Bugs 
and critters to watch out for, and so on?

The tour will start and finish in Albuquerque. Onto Bloomfield NM, then 
Aztec Ruins http://www.nps.gov/azru/index.htm , then to Bayfield, Co. 
Chimney Rock - http://www.chimneyrockco.org/ , then to Mesa Verde 
,http://www.nps.gov/meve/ , onto Dolores, Co for 3 nights inc. Anasazi 
Heritage Center http://www.co.blm.gov/ahc/index.htm
, Canyon of the Ancients, Lowry Pueblo 
http://www.co.blm.gov/ahc/lowry.htm, and then Ute Mountain Tribal Park 
http://www.swcolo.org/Tourism/Archaeology/utemtn.html 
<http://www.swcolo.org/Tourism/Archaeology/utemtn.html> , into some 
Navajo territory Chinle, Az, Canyon De Chelly 
http://www.neartime.com/ruins/chelly.htm 
<http://www.neartime.com/ruins/chelly.htm> , Chaco Canyon 
http://www.traditionsofthesun.org/viewerChaco/ 
<http://www.traditionsofthesun.org/viewerChaco/>
and likely more...

I'm currently figuring out how I can get to Monument Valley at the start for the iconic scenery and powerful landscape, with some Navajo sites, and then take in the petrified forest national park en route to the main tour start in Albuquerque.

Any discussion, insights would be welcome.

Many thanks,

Tim.

PS And should it mean I at last take those Carlos Castaneda books off my shelves and actually read them? ;o)