Around the Rez

Work and Play on the Rez

2013-07-05T18:55:00.001-07:00

Why not let work and play mingle?

Watch your sheep corral while you slide or swing on the monkey bars with your buddies.

Soft dirt makes a somewhat safe landing pad.

Practice your rodeo skills in your youth for a promising career later. Remember, "Ride rank, make bank!"

The free market is alive and well on the Rez -- you can usually get a snow cone or a big dill pickle for a resonable price from some entrepreneurial soul in one of several public housing complexes. Ayn Rand would be so proud.

A swap meet springs up wherever there's room to park a vehicle.

Some fun stuff!

A cheery morning coffee -- serving soon. We hope.

Oh, and ... don't pay attentions to signs. Whatever they may mean. :)

Big Doin's in Chinle

2012-05-19T15:08:00.001-07:00

We have a hardware store in Chinle!

Ace Hardware opened in Chinle. The Grand Opening in April, 2012, was a great success.

It was very exciting - everyone was there!

Former Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley spoke most eloquently, in Dine Bizaad of course, about economic development on the Navajo Reservation, and the positive impact of business such as Ace Hardware blazing the trail.

President Shirley graciously allowed us to have our photo taken with him. We were pleased. President Shirley continues being proactive in community service since his term expired.

Afterwards, we celebrated with luncheon at the swap meet. Others had the same idea; Goody's is a popular local lunch spot on Fridays.

Enchiladas and tamales topped off our morning just right.

It is wonderfully convenient to have our very own hardware store in Chinle!

Canyon de Chelly, April

2012-04-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

A beautiful April day in Chinle

led me to take a stroll down White House Trail in Canyon de Chelly.

Wading in the wash was a refreshing treat.

The sky and clouds and cliffs delighted me throughout my leisurely walk.

I returned refreshed and ready for life above the rim.

Zazzle!

2012-02-14T08:07:00.000-08:00

See my new, fun store at Zazzle for Rez-themed stuff!

Around the Rez at Zazzle

Signs on the Rez

2012-02-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

The general public relies on signs for guidance and direction. It is no different here on the Rez than anywhere else; thoughtfully placed signs keep the populace smoothly flowing in the right direction.

Keeping the landscape pristine is important!

Safety first!

Keep the good guys in.

The star is not only bright, but morning.

Rodeo rules on the Rez!

There ain't enough room for the both of us.

Considering a kitchen remodel?

Take note, all you credit card transactions.

We must consider ourselves warned.

What's vending mean?

In case you're lost.

Get out the washcloths and scrub brushes!

Whether seeking goods, services or directions; whether you need help deciding what to do or where to go, Rez signs are certain to lead you on.

My Favorite Cowgirl

2011-12-18T17:20:00.000-08:00

Shyla is my current favorite. She is taking to roping very well, with Daddy to teach her. She'll be throwing a lariat herself in no time.

Jump into the circle:

Good girl! Now you try:

Folks, I think she's got it, don't you?

(You may click to enlarge the above photos )

Early Winter Scenes

2011-12-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

Please enjoy a few miscellaneous photos with the flavor of our everyday life on the Rez.

The current winter is milder than the last, I think. The warmer temperatures melt the snow and allow it to soak into the ground. The mountains above brood in the early morning light near Dilkon, Arizona

Llamas make pretty good sheep guardians; they're cranky and big. This haughty, disdainful guy ran away from the sheep, though, when we came near his charges below Carson Mesa.

It seems that something is always burning down on the Rez. The firefighters managed to keep this trailer fire from spreading to the homes and businesses nearby as they watched it burn in Chinle, Arizona.

There's always an exciting happening involving livestock here on the Navajo Reservation, like this long-past event advertised north of Many Farms, Arizona.

We didn't attend, though we might have been tempted by a chance to win da big bucks.

Some among the ubiquitous Rez dogs are pressed into duty as watchdogs;

we consider ourselves duly warned though little intimidated by these lazy fellows.

I succumb with pleasure to the lure of roads like this one leading to the top of Carson Mesa.

White house Ruins ~ Canyon de Chelly

2011-11-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

The White House Ruins in Canyon de Chelly are aptly named for the whitish portion of the ruins.

The well-preserved structures are viewed from close up by hiking down White House Trail, the only public trail in the canyon.

The first day of November, 2011, offered a charming opportunity for a stroll down to see the ruins.

What a lovely day to enjoy. The weather is perfect.

The ruins are of a complex, multi-room, multi-purpose habitation, likely housing several families at one time about 1200 years ago.

Paintings on the cliff face look as if they were more recently applied than beyond the past millenium.

Rising cliffs against the deep blue autumn sky are a dramatic backdrop to brilliant cottonwood leaves.

Autumn's coloration is perennially energizing and refreshing.

Dizzying cliffs, towering into the sky, dwarf the ruins below.

Back at the top, we admire the silvery winding snail trail of water gleaming its way through the wash's bottom.

How tiny the ruins look from above.

(See this link for a run down the trail:)

Let's Run Down the Canyon

You may click to enlarge the above photos.

Three Turkeys Canyon -- A Glimpse of the Ruins

2011-10-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

Three Turkeys Canyon, in Northeastern Arizona, is a lovely hiking destination. The well-preserved ruins stand in their canyon wall nook as they have for centuries.

The hike down to the canyon floor begins with dramatic overviews of the canyon.

A cement plaque declares that Mr. Spencer and his crew worked on the trail in 1964. The trail is steep and rough, with lots of scree, but it's a short hike to the bottom. Our party included two little ones, rough-and-tumble girls of 2 and 5 years old.

The ruins are visible through the trees during the descent.

The three turkeys painted by the ancient cliff dwellers are fresh and clear today.

The Anasazi left ample evidence of their practical and artistic tendencies.

The October skies in this remote corner of the planet deepen against terracotta stone precipices.

Canyons walls composed of shinarump conglomerate sparkle in the sunlight, incorporating pebbles and bits of quartz.

The creek at the bottom runs light and shallow. I wonder how many centuries have passed since a river sustained the lively little village tucked neatly into this sheer cliff face.

And I wonder, too, who in ancient times carried his little one on his shoulders along its shady banks on a bright October day.

The children befriended a colorful froggie, the only wildlife sighting of the day.

We could not have had a lovelier day or more congenial company for our hike.

You may click to enlarge the above photos

"Let's Run Down the Canyon"

2011-08-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

A run down - and back up - White House Trail in Canyon de Chelly is a refreshing break from our usual gym workouts, especially when the weather lures us outdoors. A tunnel at the top of the trail welcomes us.

We are eager for the run

The White House Trail is a three mile round trip from the canyon rim down the switchbacks to the wash and a view of the ruins.

The canyon is always delightfully inviting

The trail is kept fairly smooth and is suitable for running. In some places the trail is hewn from the canyon wall.

Locals in training run down and up 2 or 3 times. Once is usually enough for us.

Another tunnel near the bottom

On the way back up.

Going up is a little more trying than the coast down.

Back at the top

It's always a pleasure to take a workout day to run down White House Trail in Canyon de Chelly.

You may click to enlarge the above photos

For a glimpse of the ruins, click the link below:

White House Ruins ~ Canyon de Chelly

A Room With a View

2011-05-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

On Carson Mesa

There is always a rest stop on the rez. No one need suffer just because the next gas station is 40 miles away. Frankly, I prefer a well-ventilated room with a view to a stuffy, often dirty rural gas station, anyway.

A well-worn path suggests there may be paper available; I however, always pack my own.

Wisely placed with the door away from the highway

An artist will always find a means of expression

On Balaiki Mesa

Rockin' on the Rez

2011-02-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

Intriguing rock formations are a a big contributor to the treat that is the natural landscape here in northeastern Arizona. Some are the remains of giant waves of molten rock that long ago pushed themselves up from under the ground in spectacular displays of violence and energy. Thousands and millions and gazillions of years later a tortured sculpture is still standing.

Frozen in Time ~ A Monument to a Violent Event

Sentinel of a Vast Land

Pushed Along From Underneath

Alert Through Time

Interestingly, these formations exude a sense of peace; lightning rods that seem to draw all the trouble and turmoil of modern life to themselves and pull it far into the earth, leaving the surface land large and wide and at rest.

The Soothing Colors of a Resting Land

Some interesting rock formations are the results of surface elements on the sandstone land. Wind and water, storms and wildly fluctuating temperatures, work together to fashion fascinating formations for our entertainment.

A Rock Family Squats on the Land

Gazing Dreamily Upon the Distant Chuskas ~ A Never to be Realized Journey For This Otherwise Alpha Rock Person

Very Much an Earthling, Despite Appearances

The Slow Reclamation of a Red Sandstone Mountain at Bita Hochee

(You May Click to Enlarge the Above photos)

Roads on the Rez ~ An Exercise in Patience With a (Mostly) Beautiful View

2011-01-24T11:28:00.000-08:00

Going anywhere on the Reservation can be an adventure. Wide views stretch the eyes to take in intriguing horizons, unending skies meet long stretches of colorful land, and there is almost always a road to take you there.

Descent Into Beautiful Valley

Nazlini Road

Traveling South on Carson Mesa

Can You Choose the Road Less Traveled By?

A Beautiful Winter Road at Three Turkeys ~ Looking Out Toward Black Mesa

There is a Beyond the Horizon

A Muddy Route Can Be a Challenge ~ The Road to Sawmill Beyond Spider Rock, Canyon de Chelly

The long roads, despite appearances, all lead to somewhere. A seemingly remote, endless road will usually take you to homes and people. Chinle Unified School District, for instance, has the longest bus route in the US.

School Bus Route Below Fish Point, Black Mesa ~ Proof That it is Taking You Somewhere

Tagged But Legible

Yes, Pavement Eventually Wears Out ~ A Patched, Pitted, Mess of a Road in a Chinle Housing Project

The term, 'maintained' may sometimes be misleading. With so many miles of roads, and so much remoteness. it is not surprising, perhaps, that there is a constant need for improvements.

Patience Required for Travel on This Road!

Car Eating Potholes Punctuate This Road Near Tslani, Arizona

Fish Point is Around the Corner

With glorious landscapes and extravagant natural beauty, is it any wonder that the roads on the Rez draw us on and on?

(You May Click to Enlarge the Above photos)

Chidis ~ How We Get Around the Rez

2011-01-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

It can't be helped ~ vehicles on the Reservation put in a long, hardworking life. A brand new car or truck is in for the long haul here. Traveling long distances on ancient roads paved and unpaved, along with lots and lots of dust, dirt and mud, puts your cars and trucks through rigorous tests of endurance.
Below are a few photos of the different life stages of chidis, or vehicles, here on the Navajo Reservation near my home.

Thunderbird Taxi ~ Outlasted the Ranch and Died in the Saddle

Below could be an upscale ad but for the telltale flat tires.

Parked For the View and Stayed

No stranger to a hard days work, this dump truck has earned retirement.

A Real Workhorse Out to Pasture Near Round Rock, AZ

A hardy pick-'em-up truck still going, with a recent investment in some tires.

Still Going Strong

Shiny new and full of life, with a tired dog enjoying a nap in the sun nearby. (I thought the worst at first, too, but believe me, this dog got up and was very much alive.)

A Nap Near My Favorite Car ~ Glamorous By Association

Various Stages of Decomposition ~ Going Back to the Land Near Spider Rock, AZ

When You're Done, You're Done ~ It Takes All Kinds to Get Us Around Here on the Rez

It's Very January Here on the Rez

2011-01-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

The dry cold days of January are here. Winter storms lay down a cover of snow that quickly dehydrates into patches and spots of frozen white ice. Everything seems cold; the earth, the sky, even the brilliant sun can't seem to warm the dry, freezing world. It all conspires to intensify the feeling of cold, pulling the moisture and life out of the very ground.

The Great Dehydrator in Action

Brooding skies cast a grey and sepia wash over a world locked in cold.

Beware of Dogs

Shade House in the Shadow of Black Mesa

Till the Cows Come Home

Corral as Art

A brightly colored home reminds us that life is stirring and carrying on, and the time of cold will give way to animation and warmth again.

Blue House and Black Mesa

(You May Click to Enlarge the Above Photos)

Pets on the Rez

2011-01-11T16:39:00.000-08:00

Like people everywhere, folks on the Navajo Reservation love their pets. Traditionally, Navajo people have raised sheep, goats, and cattle on their vast expanses of land in the southwestern United States. Dogs, of course, are a big help herding livestock; dogs still look over flocks of sheep and goats grazing among the sagebrush.

Goats Are People, Too

Llamas were introduced more recently to guard flocks. Their large size and often crabby temper make them suitable for thwarting larger predators, such as coyotes and mountain lions. Some are currently out of work, like this guy.

A llama has a little snack in Kinlichee housing

Today, dogs are as likely to be kept as companions, as shepherds.

My Pretty, Purple Picket Fence

Rocky

A Willing Pup

Piper at Ease

Sparky

Dozer of Tuba City Will Do Tricks For You

The predecessors of the lazy guys below probably earned their keep working livestock for their humans.

Hanging Out and...

Wishing For Impossible Things at the Chinese Takeout ( They Have No Credit Card ID, You See.)

Dogs and cats as cuddly pets and loyal friends to their humans are currently as popular here on the Reservation as everywhere else.

Harry and Ryan and Elliot

Lord of His Castle

No Bad Guys Allowed

Tough Love

Puppy Love

Is This My Best Pose?

Sporting My Tiger Coat

Cats can serve double duty as mousers and playmates.

It's My Turn to Be the Mom

Partners on a Cold Stoop

Cuddling is Good

Megan and Elliot in Winter Dress

2 White Cats

Dream Kitty

( You May Click to Enlarge the Above Photos )

Homes on the Rez

2011-01-05T09:16:00.000-08:00

A home is more than just a place to receive mail. Sometimes, the place called home is beyond an available numerical address. Where we live does not depend on numbers on a Post Office box or names on a street sign.

You CAN Find Us!

Our homes are our personal arrival at a place determined by many things; perhaps birth, circumstance, or choice.

I love homes on the Rez. Especially I find hogans fascinating. These cleverly designed round homes of the Navajo are wonderfully suited to the climatic extremes of the High Colorado Plateau. Warm in the winter, with a center wood stove radiating its friendly heat, and cool in the summer, especially when a little breeze floats gently through the open door.

Uninhabited Hogan Near Greasewood, AZ

Though short on space, these homes are long on ingenuity, and well adapted to be a cozy base for an active, outdoor life of herding sheep or cattle, or raising corn. They also provide a dry protected shelter for weaving a rug or raising a family. New features have been added in modern times, though the traditional lifestyle is by no means extinct. A flat screen TV with remote control may be featured, and a bathroom perhaps added to the side is a welcome convenience. I always enjoy seeing hogans, inhabited or not. May they always be part of the landscape of the Rez.

A Blue Door is Inviting

Male Hogan Used for Ceremonial Purposes

Near Many Farms, AZ

Sheltered Under a Shady Tree and in the Shadow of Black Mesa

A Busy, Growing Family With Grandma Babysitting

Electricity Available!

A New Roof Needed Here

( You May Click to Enlarge the Above Photos)