Gypsy & The Navigator

Prelude To A Tour

Leaving Kirtland heading west on Highway 64 we found ourselves on a roller coaster ride.

Just before continuing on Highway 160 west we came to Tec Nos Pos. 

Not far from there is Four Corners Monument where the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona come together. The sun was high in the sky and no matter how we turned there was always a shadow for the photo.

Not too crowded while we were there so not much of a wait for our turn to stand where the states meet. 

There are vendors selling Indian jewelry and crafts.  The booths are set up in a square, each side in a different state. The Monument is maintained by the Navajo Nation as a tourist attraction.  You pay $5 per person to enter. 

Highway 160 continues the roller coaster ride now amid the slick rock.

Soon it was red rock.  This is "Baby Rocks" aka "Baby Rocks Mesa" in Navajo County; named for the wind and rain eroded walls that seemingly have formed thousands of "babies" hanging onto them.  

We passed volcanic plugs.  I had to look that up when we were at Shiprock.  It is created when magma hardens within a vent on an active volcano. When present, a plug can cause an extreme build-up of pressure if rising volatile-charged magma is trapped beneath it, and this can sometimes lead to an explosive eruption. 

There they are.  Those red cliffs make my heart skip a beat. Turning north on 163 at Kayenta puts us close to our destination. 

Our destination is ahead.  Goulding's at Monument Valley.

Glad we had a reservation.  They just kept coming and coming.  Not all got a spot.

Who wouldn't want to stay here?  Look at that view out my window. 

We got set up and still had some daylight exploring time left.

 

But, first we wanted to sign up for the Monument Valley tour.  I had done a little research and found that we could do the 17 mile tour in the Navigator.  It said that the road is rough and Walt doesn't mind driving rough roads.  Then I read about the cars that were damaged or had tire failure so I started to think maybe we should do a tour.  Then...........the clinchers.  The tours are led by a Navajo guide so you get their perspective and most of the roads are either private (yes, people do live in the Valley as they have for centuries), or only accessible via a guided tour.  Oh and the roads down there!  We still love the Navigator so we will let someone else do the driving.  We scheduled an afternoon tour the next day.  

 

On to explore the Goulding's Story.  Goulding’s features a lodge, campground, stores, restaurant, and a museum. It dates back to 1921 when Harry Goulding and his bride Leone (nicknamed Mike) purchased 640 acres and started life in a 10 x 20 foot tent.  They eventually built a two story stone structure with a trading post on the first floor and living quarters on the second.

The original structure is now a museum.  I was very impressed by the living quarters.  Very comfortable and pleasing to the eye. Like the Navajos who had settled there, Harry and his wife also ran sheep. And then came the Depression, hitting the valley and leaving the inhabitants destitue. There was a terrible drought in 1934 and then another one in 1936. Income from the trading post diminished to virtually nothing.

In 1938 Harry Goulding made a brave move.  Harry learned that United Artists was looking to film a Western on location. Armed with his last $60 and a portfolio of Josef Muench's memorable photographs of Monument Valley he and his wife loaded up their bedrolls and headed to Hollywood. Through amazing perseverance and stars aligning director John Ford saw those photographs of this amazing valley and decided to use Monument Valley as the site for his movie "Stagecoach."

 Since Stagecoach dozens of films have used Monument Valley as a setting.  Seeing many of them has put the valley on my wish list for a long time. Another dream come true.  The movie industry greatly helped the economy of the area and now tourism is big business. 

Behind the museum is Captain Nathan Brittles’ Cabin—also called John Wayne’s Cabin. This was actually a potato cellar used by the Gouldings, but director John Ford used it for exterior shots of the personal quarters of the character played by John Wayne in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon .
 

The Gouldings ran their desert outpost for decades, tending to filmmakers, peddling curios, steadily adding rooms and services. Today you can watch the old movies in the little theatre behind the museum.   The movies in the museum are great too.  Lots of information about the 1864 deportation of the Navajo people in the area (the "long walk") by the government of the United States of America. Navajos were forced to walk from their land in what is now Arizona to eastern New Mexico.  In 1868 after many deaths and tragedies they were allowed to set off on the "long walk" home. 

While at the Lodge we had lunch at the Stagecoach Dining Room.  The building first started out as a movie prop when John Ford began making movies down in Monument Valley.  It then became the mess hall for the movie crews; the cook would prepare the food, ring the bell (still displayed out front) and everyone would come in and eat family style.  When tourists began staying at the Lodge, they would eat there; but the Health Department visited one day and stated it was unsafe.  The Gouldings tore down the old building and rebuilt a more modern structure with windows that look out upon Monument Valley.  Each table includes a beautiful Native American jug for the water.  It is heavy and keeps the water cold.

Most of our fellow diners were locals.  

 The Stagecoach is noted for its Navajo Tacos and it was my choice.  It was delicious and the fry bread was perfect. 

Walt had the Spicy Pork Green Chile with a side of fry bread.  A very nice dining experience. 

 Those sandstone walls catch and hold my attention. 

The prelude to the tour tomorrow was so stunning I am sure my head will be spinning tomorrow. 

The sandstone formations glow in the setting sun right outside our door on our return to Gypsy II.  Oh, what beauty.

 

The Farmington River Trail

We had a full day open in Kirtland and we had been told about a wonderful museum in Farmington.  Honestly the day was so glorious there was no way I wanted to be inside.  Again a reason to come back to an area.

I had read about the Animas River Trail in Farmington.  We had taken the Rail trip from Durango to Silverton along the Animas River so it was fitting that we visit it further south too.

It is a beautiful set of trails nestled along the river.

The sky was blue, the trees were green, and the paths were practically empty.

The water was fast running and muddy brown.

There were deer.

There were Canadian geese families.  There are many birds along the trail.  If you go to the Nature Center you can get bird food to feed them as you walk the trails.

Trails run on both sides of the river and are connected by pedestrian bridges. 

Along the trails you can put in or take out of the Animas River for the purposes of running the river by canoe, kayak, or raft.

Right now there are about 8 miles of trails but plans are to continue to extend the trails.

 

The All Veterans Memorial Plaza is a focal point along the trails.

Memorials to each branch of the military and each conflict are included on the Plaza.

The park recognizes the contributions of all American veterans - past, present, and future.  

The park was established in 2003.

Each major war or conflict beginning with the Revolutionary War is depicted around the park.

The information they put on each plaque was concise and very informative. 

I got photos of each of the conflicts back to the Revolutionary War.  It was eye opening to see the number of men and women that have given their lives for our freedom.

This floating stone globe is actually suspended on the water and is easy to spin.  It is etched with the major countries/continents of the world, marked to show where U.S. service men and women have served their country. 

Another area that has provided us with a perfect day.

Uh oh!  Maybe not a perfect day.  We have had a lot of warnings in our travels.......tsunami, tornado, severe storm, flood, bear, cougar....but this is our first prairie dog warning.

Yes.......wouldn't want to turn my ankle in that.

Sorry to disturb you!  I know I know we were warned.

It was a perfect day for a perfect day.

In the morning the wheels will be rolling to a new destination. 

 

Ojo Caliente and Beyond

A trip to Northern New Mexico wouldn't be complete for me without a day at Ojo Caliente Spa.

It is about a 45 minute drive from Pojoaque and the scenery is so pretty.

Once we enter this tree-lined drive we know we are near.   By now if your windows are down you can smell the pinion burning in the kiva fireplaces.

These ancient springs are different sulfur-free mineral waters.........Lithia, Iron, Soda and Arsenic, with more than 100,000 gallons a day steaming to the surface revitalizing us when we soak in them. Ojo Caliente is a legendary oasis. It soothes our bodies and minds, and lifts my spirit.   And the mud baths.........you slather mud all over your body and bake in the sun until done! As the special blend of clay dries, toxins are released from the pores of your skin and you come away feeling cleansed and refreshed.

After a very soothing day a storm came rolling in as we left.

We were blessed with a rainbow.

We were treated to a light show.

The sunset was a stormy one.

The sight of the Roxanne Swentzell Tower Gallery under the stormy skies was a nice way to end a wonderful day.

The wheels were rolling toward our next destination.

We were headed north and west to the Navajo Nation.

Being on the road for several hours sometimes lets me reflect on things that have been in the back of my mind.  This time it started with a comment made to me by a friend.  She said " I couldn't do what you are doing."  I completely understand. Traveling full time in a very small RV is not for everyone.  

RV living isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination.  Life still goes on.  You still have responsibilities (although much less for us) and things happen.  We have been so blessed that we have not had any major mishaps so far.  Not to say that there haven't been some things I haven't liked.  Such as that horrible storm in Dodge City, Kansas that made me happy that I'm not in Kansas anymore.  And just a few days ago when there was a tornado warning in Pojoaque and the sky was black and I was very frightened.  Then the hail came.........but luckily it was small.  

You still disagree with your spouse and your spouse still gets mad at you.  Being in such a small space prevents you stomping off somewhere else so you just get over it.  Luckily Walt is very easy going and puts up with my more emotional side. 

RV'ing isn't like a vacation or an ordinary road trip.  It is at a much slower pace where you have taken all of the comforts of home along.  The best is having your very own comfy bed to sleep in every night.  

The freedom to explore the USA is an incredible adventure.  There may be obstacles on the road but there are always obstacles in life.  Life in a small space is simpler.  But simple is not for everyone.  For that I am grateful. Can you imagine what it would be like if we all had the same interests?  If everyone RV'd the roads would be bumper to bumper with RV's, the National Parks would be even more crowded than they are now, all of that gorgeous open land out there would be dotted with RV's,  the backroads we love would be superhighways and the cities would be empty. 

We do miss our family but with technology today we are able to keep up with them.  We are proud of our family and we are comforted by the fact that they are healthy and moving forward in their lives.  

 Not every day are the skies perfect for photos and that is OK.  The sombre days soothe me........giving me the rest that is needed for those explosive perfect blue sky days.  We live an awesome life.  A life that is not for everyone.

Those wheels rolled along the road and the wheels in my head stopped as we arrived in Kirtland, NM for a couple days to see what we could see.

One place that you can't miss in the area is Shiprock.   We spent several hours enjoying its massive presence as well as the bright orange wildflowers surrounding it.   The high, bright white sky made photos almost impossible.

Shiprock is  an isolated rock mountain that rises abruptly from a gentle slope and a virtually level surrounding plain.  It is 1,583 feet above the plain.  

 Shiprock and the surrounding land have religious and historical significance to the Navajo people.   The areas near the formation are closed to non-native people.  Three miles away is the recommended distance.  I don't think we disobeyed that requirement.

While there we met a very weary traveler.  It seemed he had been on the road awhile.  The only food we had were some stale crackers that we keep in the glove box to feed birds.  He happily gobbled down every last one. 

He seemed friendly but would not let us get close enough to touch him.  He didn't get defensive.......he would just get up and walk away.  Hard to leave him there, we were miles from civilization, and no way to get him in the car to take him to a shelter.  

Making it doubly hard was this......is it friend or foe?  It was circling and staying well away from us.  Scary out there. 

 Our life on the road is the best.  The best for us at this time in our life that is!

 

Georgia O'Keeffe Land Continued

"All the earth colours of the painter's palette are out there in the many miles of badlands... "(Georgia O'Keeffe)  If you look you can find all those colors in this land.

We stopped for a snack at a picnic table overlooking Abiquiú Lake.  And looking way out there is Pedernal,  O'Keeffe's mountain........ in her mind.

In 1945 she bought a second property in New Mexico – a ruined hacienda, with parts dating from the 18th century, in the village of Abiquiu. This ancient settlement occupies a bluff overlooking the Chama River as it flows towards the Rio Grande and O’Keeffe took advantage of the access to fresh water by cultivating a private garden, covering around an acre. She grew fresh fruit and vegetables as well as flowers including roses, lilies, poppies and bleeding hearts.

Today her home is open by appointment for tours.  We didn't go this trip. Another reason to come back.   

Our next back road destination took us by some interesting houses.

My hope is they are filled with artists.

Walt is always so good natured about driving me to out of the way places.

This road was very curvy and had some steep drop offs.

The destination was Plaza Blanca.

These eerie white limestone rock formations are known as the Plaza Blanca, or the "White Place" or  the “White City.”

These natural wonders were often painted by O’Keeffe.

It was also the locale for the movie "Cowboys & Aliens" starring Daniel Craig.

Photographers like to use black and white in the area.  It's nice but I think I like the color better.

Walt and I decided it was like a miniature white Bryce Canyon.

It is other-worldly.

With all the varied landscapes and light in this part of the world no wonder O'Keeffe found so much inspiration.

Even from here she could see her beloved mountain Perdenal. 

In her later years, O'Keeffe suffered from macular degeneration and began to lose her eyesight. As a result of her failing vision, she painted her last unassisted oil painting in 1972.

"I can see what I want to paint," she said at the age of 90. "The thing that makes you want to create is still there."

Failing health forced her to relocate to Santa Fe where she died on March 6, 1986 at the age of 98.

 In 2014, her Jimson Weed/White Flower No 1 sold for $44 million at Sotheby’s in New York, setting a record for a work by a female artist.

Oh, what a day!  A day I didn't want to end.

 

Beauty Is "In Your Face " In Georgia O'Keeffe Land

After leaving Albuquerque we only went about 80 miles north to Pojoaque.  We have stayed in the area a couple times before because it is a great starting point for so many things to do near there.

Our first trip was to Georgia O'Keeffe country.  We took this road through the trees in Abiquiú .

It took us here.

May is too early but by July and August the color will be lavender and the smell will be fragrant.

Yes, it is pink and 12 feet tall.  This sculpture in the enchanting northern New Mexico village of Abiquiu makes you do a double take.  I am sure that is what the owners of Bode’s General Store where it stands had in mind.

Cross the road and climb the hill and there is a diverse cultural experience. 

Artists from all over come to the Abiquiu area for inspiration, most notably Georgia O’Keeffe who bought a home and stayed.  Someone should step up and put a roof on this one.......it would be a perfect home/studio.

Love the art work on the library done by local children and some adults. 

 Continuing on the views are astounding. Just like Georgia O'Keeffe's art there is nothing subtle about the beauty of the landscape here.

Georgia O'Keeffe was born in 1887 and was already a notable artist by the time she started coming to New Mexico in 1929.

By age ten she had decided to become an artist.

 She had serious formal art training but she felt constrained by her lessons that focused on recreating or copying what was in nature.

She was introduced to the principles and philosophies of  Arthur Wesley Dow, who espoused created works of art based upon personal style, design, and interpretation of subjects, rather than trying to copy or represent them. 

Her initial visit in 1929 to New Mexico was to Taos where she completed her now famous oil "The Lawrence Tree."

The painting of the large ponderosa pine tree was done with her lying down on a bench and looking into the night sky through the branches of the tree. Typical "in your face" O'Keeffe art.

O'Keeffe then spent part of nearly every year working in New Mexico.

O'Keeffe was known as a loner and explored the Northern New Mexico land that she loved in her Model A Ford.

The landscape is so full of color and movement that it does seem to just beg to be painted or photographed.

And the sky full of fluffy white clouds changes the light on the cliffs moment by moment.

I can certainly understand O'Keeffe's love affair with the visual scenery of the area.

This is Echo Amphitheatre.  It is just up the road from Abiquiú and Ghost Ranch.  

The hike into it is gorgeous.

So lucky that while we were there there were very few other visitors.

And yes, the echo really works.  I was the only one there and a little self conscious about yelling.  But, once I did it was really fun. Walt was a ways back and said he didn't hear me.  

 The Legend......"In the spring of 1861, a group of settlers from Iowa were farming in northern New Mexico when they were set upon by a band of Navajo who had ventured into the region. The settlers (one family was the Zendalters and another family was the Treblers) were taken to the top of the amphitheater and executed. Their blood spilled into the amphitheater, staining its walls. Three years later, when the Navajo were being forced on the "Long Walk" to Bosque Redondo by the U.S. Army, ten Navajo men were killed at the top of the amphitheater in retribution for the earlier deaths. Once again, blood spilled down the walls of the amphitheater. The blood seeped into the pores of the rock and dried and supposedly is still visible today. It is said that in the echoes returned from the cliff's walls one can hear the anguished cries of the dead."

The scary legend didn't detract from the exquisite beauty all around us.

The size of the cliffs and the wide expanse of the sky make me feel really small.

Size was an important part of O'Keeffe's work.  She said: 

"If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small," O'Keeffe explained. "So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it - I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers."

O'Keeffe continued to be inspired by views like this and much of her work spoke of the Southwest.

Flowers always seemed to be part of her art.

 

 

She was particularly inspired by Ghost Ranch, north of Abiquiú, and she decided to move into a house there in 1940.

Ghost Ranch is now a Retreat and I can imagine how restful and inspiring it would be to spend peaceful time here. 

The building is the Welcome Center.  Look at those rocks!  They are called Chimney Rock.

See that flat topped mesa way out there?  It is Perdernal.  Georgia O'Keeffe painted it several times and it was probably her favorite subject.  She considered it her private mountain.  She said " God told me if I painted it often enough I could have it." 

On the Ghost Ranch property is the cabin and corral used in the movie "City Slickers." 

I wonder if the wagon adheres to the 15 mph speed limit.

Ghost Ranch is beautiful today but I can imagine how peaceful it would have been in the 40's with only the ranch workers and a few guests. Truly inspirational.  This is getting long and there is more to see so...............it will be continued.

 

More Of The Gathering Of Nations And Time In Albuquerque Comes To A Close

There is so much more to the Gathering of Nations than the dancing.

So much more than the Drumming.

 So much more than the Singing.

So much more than the amazing, colorful costumes.

It is an event where Native people can come together each year to celebrate and share culture, and a place where singers and dancers can congratulate each other for a job well done with a fist bump.

It is a place where people from around the world have made the Gathering of Nations Powwow their travel destination.

For me it was an amazing experience.  I am always one to step up with a defense when I hear people complain about the Casino's fostering gambling, the high incidence of substance abuse and alcoholism among the tribes, their large number of diabetes sufferers, their acceptance of a welfare way of life and many more.  Who is to say that things would not have been significantly different if instead of taking their land, forcing them into religions that took away their native ways and so on that some type of negotiations, compromises, empathy, and better self control on both sides would not have changed the course of history? And if so would those things that are complained about be as much a part of their lives today if their paths had been different?  Where the Indians future meets the past in these types of meetings is a very good thing.  I know you can't rewrite history but it doesn't stop me thinking WHAT IF?

There were buildings full of arts and crafts in the Indian Traders Market.

I was most taken with the selection of hides and furs.

So soft, so supple, SO pricey.

Some feathered guests were there as well.

HawkQuest is a non-profit group that uses birds to teach about nature.

They were there as a fund raising effort and one of the ways to donate was to have your photo taken with one of the birds.

Any one would be a good choice but oh my look at this eagle. 

So thankful for where we've spent the day.  It was a very good day despite the rain and wind and was topped off by a huge piece of fry bread to go! 

A phone call beckoned us to Santa Fe.

As an added treat it had snowed.

Winter and Spring in one beautiful place.

The repair on my ring (top one) had been completed.  And yes, this time I did not resist.  A new opal band (bottom one) came home with me. 

A stop at the Bakery at La Fonda was in order.

We brought back this turtle loaf of bread to have with our chile when Joyce and Paul stopped by on their way back from their Texas trip.  Not only was it fun to look at it was delicious.

One of our last excursions in Albuquerque was another trip on the Rail Runner.  It was Wednesday so as seniors we rode free.

This time it was just into downtown Albuquerque.

We spent several hours strolling the streets of downtown Albuquerque.

There is always much to see in downtown areas in cities.

There is art in unexpected places........like this apartment roof top.

 What about this stack of car doors along the sidewalk?

This is what prompted the trip today.  You can't help but a glimpse of it whenever you are in the downtown area.

It is Gertrude Zachary's Castle built right next to her Antique Store.

To view it you have to look through chain link fence.

 Or through miles of razor wire.

Longtime Albuquerque businesswoman Gertrude Zackary chose to  build her castle on Second Street , a large compound in the heart of the city, next to her antique store.

 

She was one of Albuquerque’s most colorful and dynamic business leaders, was known for her jewelry and her quirky antique store.  She died in 2013 and I wonder if when she lived in the castle she felt the necessity to live behind chain link and razor wire in her luxurious home.

Today the home and garden looks well cared for behind its massive security gates.

She caused quite a stir in Albuquerque when she built her huge castle next to her antique store adjacent to train tracks and a homeless shelter.  Not to mention that it is directly across the street from the Sanitary Tortilla Factory. Thank heavens it wasn't the Unsanitary one.

It seems to me that the fence security spikes would be enough to deter entry.  They are on every inch of the walls and gates around the compound.

At 8,500 square feet, it cost millions and took two years to build, but it's worth a lot less because of the barren industrial location it's in.  

Zachary says her home was inspired by grand estates in Paris. She built it to showcase her collection of religious art and stained-glass windows.

Unfortunately she didn't get to enjoy it long...she died shortly after it was built and now it sits empty and forlorn.

It was opulent, filled with exquisite antiques and myriad works of art, has an elevator, a pool, and the cradle for Napoleon III's son on the second floor.

I did read somewhere that you could rent if for special occasions like a wedding. 

What do you think about building such an extravagant house in such a run-down area of a city?

You know all those posts you see on Facebook with a snow covered cabin by a lake and they ask if you could live in it for a month with all the food and heat provided but no internet, phone or TV?  If they asked me about this my answer would be Yes, yes, yes.  It would take me a month to just explore every inch of it interrupted only by long afternoons of reading in some luxurious spot. 

Then it was on to more exploring in colorful downtown.

Snakes are double headed and full of color.

The colors everywhere are vibrant.

But for pattern and color the Kimo Theater can't be beat.

AS Wikipedia says "It was built in 1927 in the extravagant  Art-Deco-Pueblo Revival Styel architecture, which is a blend of adobe building styles (rounded corners and edges), decorative motifs from indigenous cultures, and the soaring lines and linear repetition found in American Art-Deco architecture."   Quite a mouthful.

It's as if every surface is covered with something interesting. 

It has undergone several phases of continuing restoration to return it to its former glory and is once again open to the public for performances.  Another reason to come back to take in a performance and enjoy the interior.  That and the Flamenco performance we didn't make it to are on my list for "another time."

After a late lunch it was time to catch the Rail Runner for the ride back to Gypsy II.  Despite Joyce and me NEVER winning at Canasta our stay in Albuquerque has been another great adventure in this wonderful life of ours. 



 

 

 

 

 

A Train Trip And A Gathering

We had driven by this giant owl one day on our way to meet Joyce and Paul at La Salita for lunch.  The food at La Salita was really good.  Yummy Chile Rellenos and OOOOh the Sopapillas.

But this giant owl was too tempting to not go to lunch another day.  Even though it was not opened until 1986 it has a Route 66 50's vibe and it's claim to fame is its Green Chile Cheeseburger. The experience was fun but we weren't too impressed with the food.

A cool but sunny day had us taking a Rail Runner trip from our RV Park to Santa Fe.

The Rail Runner goes from Belen to Santa Fe.  We are so impressed with it and are happy to see how many riders it has. For $7 each we can ride round trip to Santa Fe.  And now on Wednesdays anyone over 62 can ride for free through the summer. 

It is so relaxing to sit back comfortably and watch the scenery roll by.

The trip takes about 2 hours with 11 stops between where we embark and the Santa Fe station. Not bad.

The Santa Fe Railyard has been in use since 1880 when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company pulled its first train into the depot.  The Railyard is not far from downtown Santa Fe and the Plaza.

The walk has pretty things to see on the way.  The wisteria clearly think that it is spring in Santa Fe.  I wonder how they were feeling a week later when it snowed there.

I so enjoy perusing in all the shops.  Since we have no room for things anymore it makes it even more fun.  I can appreciate things without any temptation of buying.  I will admit that every now and then I think "if I still had a house this would come home with me" but I don't so appreciation alone is good.

This was a definite appreciation piece.  Love the "folk art" feel.  Santa Fe has a Museum of International Folk Art.  Haven't made it there yet.

Makes sense right?

There is art everywhere in Santa Fe and much of it includes turquoise.  So Southwest!

 

We always spend quite a bit of time in La Fonda. 

The Hotel was built in 1920 and then purchased by the Santa Fe Railway in 1925.  They commissioned local muralists to paint the interior walls and Mary Colter redesigned the hotel's interior.  Her designs included exposed vigas, or ceiling beams, and Mexican tiles. 

They have done a wonderful job of keeping the best of the 20's.  It operated as a Harvey House complete with Harvey girls until the 1960's.  

Every time we go I find something new to admire.

A trip to Santa Fe would not be complete without an hour or two on the Plaza.

There is always an interesting character there.  Isn't that a pretty spotted horse?  Appaloosa would be my guess.

Here's what I found out about him.  He rode his horse with 2 dogs to Santa Fe from Michigan. It took him about 6 months with an average of 25 -30 miles a day for 5 days with 2 days rest, but sometimes because of winter and snow he was held up. He is there to stay for a while. His horse is 3 years old and very mellow.  They don't mind pictures and will accept a dollar or two for the pose. 
 

While waiting for our return train I couldn't help but admire the paintings on a nearby building.

Verrrry Interesting.

What a great day.  Walt and I think there should be more trains like this.  Nice perk New Mexico.

It was a windy and rainy day but there was an event I had wanted to go to that was only for a couple days so the weather couldn't stop us.  Not to say that I didn't complain having to walk through it to get into the venue.

The event I have been waiting for is the Gathering of Nations.  It is said to be the biggest Pow Wow in North America.

The Gathering of Nations hosts tens of thousands of Native Americans, bringing together this year “water protectors” from the nationwide protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The event in Albuquerque began in 1984 and in 2016 there were reportedly 80,000 visitors at the event.

The Gathering is full of singing and dancing competitions featuring over 3,000 participants from hundreds of tribes across the US and Canada.

A new Miss Indian World had been crowned the night before.  We did not see her but the outgoing young ladies honor walk was done while we were there.  She is a very accomplished young lady and is one of the voices for clean water that has been expressed at Standing Rock in regards to the Dakota Access Pipeline. No matter where you stand on the matter the Indians compassion for clean water and nature cannot be discounted. 

The bright colors of the clothes and the beating of the drum was mesmerizing. I loved it.  I don't think Walt enjoyed it near as much as I did but he is always so patient and ready to go where I want to go.  

There are age categories.  Of course, I loved the little ones.  It is so good that they are retaining their culture and passing it on to their children.  I laughed though because the Gathering is all about the old ways but they are definitely here in the now too.  The announcer kept encouraging us to follow them on Facebook and to follow the Gathering live. 

There are so many categories of dance and each has it's own type of dress.  

The categories start with male, female, and age.

From there is goes into the types of dances.

There is Straight Dancing, Cloth Dancing, Fancy Shawl Dancing, Fancy Feather Dancing, Grass Dancing, Northern Traditional Dancing,  Gourd Dancing, Jingle Dancing and I am sure more. 
There were several ceremonies like this one of this pretty pony that was brought all the way from Montana as a part of the prize for the winning male dancer. 

This is getting really long and there is more I want to save for my memories so To Be Continued.........