Indian Country Wrap Up

As usual, we didn't make it to all the places we were interested in seeing. So much to see in the American Southwest and so little time in just a month. Still we thoroughly enjoyed where we did visit. In fact, we plan to return to the more northern part of the Southwest to explore the many canyon lands. The interactive map below shows where we camped and the places we visited:


View SW Wrap Up 2013 in a larger map

What were the highlights on this trip?

Chaco Canyon	Chaco Canyon was the most fascinating of the places we visited and continues to interest us to this day. The level of the culture that was developed at this location is truly amazing. In fact, the more we learn about Chaco, the more intriguing it becomes.
Prophecy Rock & Tewa Park	Prophecy Rock and Tewa Park were a fascinating glimpse into the long traditions of the Hopi people.  It was astounding to learn how accurate their predictions have been and are yet to unfold.
Ranger led tours in Mesa Verde	We really enjoyed both of the ranger led tours we went on at Mesa Verde, but the tour of Cliff Palace was made special by the group of Hopi school kids who accompanied us. The haunting song they sang to their ancestors at the end of the tour was magical.
Jeep tour in Canyon de Chelly	The jeep tour inside Canyon de Chelly was a real treat, especially since I had been there in the early 1970's but had missed anything of importance. Francine, our guide,  grew up in the canyon and knew every nook and cranny as well as it's long history.
Grand Kiva at Aztec Ruins	We were amazed at the feeling we got just sitting inside this reconstructed Grand Kiva at Aztec Ruins. It was a profound experience.
Blow hole at Wupatki	We were fascinated by the sophisticated ventilation systems many of the early Kivas and Pueblos employed. The Blow Hole at the Wupatki Pueblo was a real blast of cool air on a warm day.
Photographing Monument Valley	It's easy to see why Monument Valley has been so popular with Hollywood film producers and directors. Even though the weather was blustery and cold at times, it's one of the most photogenic places we have ever visited.
The people & what we learned	Traveling always exposes us to new people. We very much enjoyed and appreciated the people we met on this trip from more formal settings in tours, to chance meetings in laundromats and campgrounds consisting of Native Americans, towns people, and fellow travelers from all over the world.

Books we read about the Anasazi Culture and can recommend:

House of Rain by Craig Childs

Collapse by Jared Diamond

Overall we gained a deeper appreciation and respect of the Native Peoples of the Southwest and their ancestors. Their cultures are very well developed with histories going back thousands of years. While Europe was still in the Dark Ages, these people had advanced knowledge of the heavens. They built amazing structures with advanced ventilation and lighting systems. They mastered agriculture and irrigation in difficult environments.  More importantly their cultures have survived drastic climate change and chaos. They have much to teach us, if we will only listen.