We left Holbrook and went in the wrong direction (SOUTH) due to a smart phone. The same smart phone that convinced my husband and brother-in-law to drive past a sign that read "Fool's Hollow State Park" in Show Low three months ago, because the smart phone navigation told them to keep driving. I know, because I was waiting at said state park waiting for them.
Today we entered the Navajo nation. Try explaining that one to the kids. Yes, we are in the United States, but this special area is a considerated Navajo Nation. We decided to check the Canyon de Chelly off my bucket list. On the way there, we hit Ganado and the Hubbel Trading post. Okay, well, well worth the drive to get to this find. After a tour of the home (just as it was left in 1957) and the gardens, we met Josh and Ethiline. They work the grounds as part of the job corp program and host a farmers market twice a week. We missed the farmers market, but Josh let Jay Jay and I pick our tomatoes and dig up a carrot for the ride.
Jay Jay washed the carrot and then ate the whole thing. Root, tip, skin. He also ate a ton of the tomato's. Told me he really didn't like them, but would eat them anyhow.
Allie wanted to hit the trading post, wanted a snack. Jay Jay followed suit. I asked each kid how much money they had, Allie report 5 dollars, Jay Jay reported 8. Okay, don't touch ANYTHING in the store unless you plan to buy it. This is a big lesson that we need to relearn each and every day. Allie smartly picks a 35 cent cinnamon sucker, Jay Jay wanted the $180.00 Navajo rug. I was able to persuade him into the 35 cent sucker. Allie goes to the front, makes her purchase. I follow Jay to the cashier, he puts his sucker on the counter, is asked for his money and reports that he doesn't have the money WITH him. Allie bails him out.
We continued on to the Canyon in Chinle. There is nothing, absolutely NOTHING in the this part of AZ. When we went to check out the campsite in Chinle, we learned that none of them have power, which we needed. Our batteries (three of them) need replacing. So after we check out the canyon views, we knew we were driving on.
At the first canyon look out, Allie found a mama dog and a tiny little puppy. Abandoned, according to the local woman there who was hoping we would buy some jewelry. WHAT? I have to know more. She tells me, navajo's want boy dogs, for protection, for fighting. The girls, they abandon. Drop 'em off in the touristy spots. Now, let's get back to you buying my jewelry or I am going back into my van. Abandoned on this cliff, where it was going to drop to the 30's, windy, nothing for miles. Abandoned, just like our lucky dog at home. To an 8 year old girl, the only logical thing to do here is to adopt them. Take them into the RV and keep them, flees, worms and all. So we gave them some of Kai's food, a bowl full of water and dragged Allie, crying her eyes out into the RV, with those sad little dogs, wind blowing their fur, watching us. FABULOUS.
At the second look out, I meet Christine, a Navajo woman who proudly showed me her college ID. She is selling hogan's that she makes from material she collects in the canyon. Willow, clay. They at 6 inches by 6 inches and filled with minatures. A woman working on a loom with a baby beside her, a small medicine bag, sleeping mats, beaded jewelry. I had to have it. Jay bought a Navajo story stone from an 11 year old boy who has walked here to make some money. No one is with him and he tells Jay he has been here all day.
We leave the canyon and drive into down town Chinle, where thankfully, we are blessed to see a pack of lost dogs wandering around. Lots of abandoned dogs, Allie, they will find their way. Gradually, we switched from the "stray dog" spotting to "hogan" spotting.
So onward we drive, for a long time, Jay drinking 5 hour energy shots and me telling the kids "not too much longer". But it is longer. Miles and miles of 2 lane with NO WHERE TO STOP. No potty, no gas, nothing. Into the night, when we finally arrive at four corners monument, the gate is closed. So I tell Jay to reposition the RV away from the gate, wake the kids from the back of the bus and there we are, the long awaiting 4 corners! Whoopee!!
Finally, we arrived at Cortez. That KOA sign like a beakon in the night. After landing our spot, we drive into town to celebrate our survival of the Navajo Nation with a micro brew and a good dinner. Nothing like a micro root beer with honey to set things right with a broken hearted daughter. Jay Jay told me immediately after the dog incident that I had "broken Allie's love". And it had remained broken as we drove mile after mile away from them. Once back at camp, we set up shop, tuck in for the night and listen to the rain all night. Today, we are staying at the KOA in Cortez, where it is snowing. There is a blizzard in Durango, 46 miles away, that promises to dissipate by tomorrow. Beef stew in the crock pot, snoring dog on the floor, furnace keeping us a nice 70*. Kids are writing in their journals as I finish up the blog. We are heading for the indoor aquatic center today, hopeful to find a bookstore to re-supply the kids and renting a movie from the front office for tonight.
Today we entered the Navajo nation. Try explaining that one to the kids. Yes, we are in the United States, but this special area is a considerated Navajo Nation. We decided to check the Canyon de Chelly off my bucket list. On the way there, we hit Ganado and the Hubbel Trading post. Okay, well, well worth the drive to get to this find. After a tour of the home (just as it was left in 1957) and the gardens, we met Josh and Ethiline. They work the grounds as part of the job corp program and host a farmers market twice a week. We missed the farmers market, but Josh let Jay Jay and I pick our tomatoes and dig up a carrot for the ride.
Jay Jay washed the carrot and then ate the whole thing. Root, tip, skin. He also ate a ton of the tomato's. Told me he really didn't like them, but would eat them anyhow.
Allie wanted to hit the trading post, wanted a snack. Jay Jay followed suit. I asked each kid how much money they had, Allie report 5 dollars, Jay Jay reported 8. Okay, don't touch ANYTHING in the store unless you plan to buy it. This is a big lesson that we need to relearn each and every day. Allie smartly picks a 35 cent cinnamon sucker, Jay Jay wanted the $180.00 Navajo rug. I was able to persuade him into the 35 cent sucker. Allie goes to the front, makes her purchase. I follow Jay to the cashier, he puts his sucker on the counter, is asked for his money and reports that he doesn't have the money WITH him. Allie bails him out.
We continued on to the Canyon in Chinle. There is nothing, absolutely NOTHING in the this part of AZ. When we went to check out the campsite in Chinle, we learned that none of them have power, which we needed. Our batteries (three of them) need replacing. So after we check out the canyon views, we knew we were driving on.
At the first canyon look out, Allie found a mama dog and a tiny little puppy. Abandoned, according to the local woman there who was hoping we would buy some jewelry. WHAT? I have to know more. She tells me, navajo's want boy dogs, for protection, for fighting. The girls, they abandon. Drop 'em off in the touristy spots. Now, let's get back to you buying my jewelry or I am going back into my van. Abandoned on this cliff, where it was going to drop to the 30's, windy, nothing for miles. Abandoned, just like our lucky dog at home. To an 8 year old girl, the only logical thing to do here is to adopt them. Take them into the RV and keep them, flees, worms and all. So we gave them some of Kai's food, a bowl full of water and dragged Allie, crying her eyes out into the RV, with those sad little dogs, wind blowing their fur, watching us. FABULOUS.
At the second look out, I meet Christine, a Navajo woman who proudly showed me her college ID. She is selling hogan's that she makes from material she collects in the canyon. Willow, clay. They at 6 inches by 6 inches and filled with minatures. A woman working on a loom with a baby beside her, a small medicine bag, sleeping mats, beaded jewelry. I had to have it. Jay bought a Navajo story stone from an 11 year old boy who has walked here to make some money. No one is with him and he tells Jay he has been here all day.
We leave the canyon and drive into down town Chinle, where thankfully, we are blessed to see a pack of lost dogs wandering around. Lots of abandoned dogs, Allie, they will find their way. Gradually, we switched from the "stray dog" spotting to "hogan" spotting.
So onward we drive, for a long time, Jay drinking 5 hour energy shots and me telling the kids "not too much longer". But it is longer. Miles and miles of 2 lane with NO WHERE TO STOP. No potty, no gas, nothing. Into the night, when we finally arrive at four corners monument, the gate is closed. So I tell Jay to reposition the RV away from the gate, wake the kids from the back of the bus and there we are, the long awaiting 4 corners! Whoopee!!
Finally, we arrived at Cortez. That KOA sign like a beakon in the night. After landing our spot, we drive into town to celebrate our survival of the Navajo Nation with a micro brew and a good dinner. Nothing like a micro root beer with honey to set things right with a broken hearted daughter. Jay Jay told me immediately after the dog incident that I had "broken Allie's love". And it had remained broken as we drove mile after mile away from them. Once back at camp, we set up shop, tuck in for the night and listen to the rain all night. Today, we are staying at the KOA in Cortez, where it is snowing. There is a blizzard in Durango, 46 miles away, that promises to dissipate by tomorrow. Beef stew in the crock pot, snoring dog on the floor, furnace keeping us a nice 70*. Kids are writing in their journals as I finish up the blog. We are heading for the indoor aquatic center today, hopeful to find a bookstore to re-supply the kids and renting a movie from the front office for tonight.
Who's your brother-in-law? Real bright, eh?
ReplyDeleteMind if I mention that I highly doubt all three batteries went dead at the same time?
The Energizer Bunny