We wish we can describe into detail the beauty of the canyon today, but it was breathtaking. As we started down the arduous decent into the canyon what unfolded before us was what some of our fellow hikers described as paradise.
When we reached the valley, we looked around and saw the cliffs of rock surrounding us, and the green fields where natives spend summers farming, staying in Hogans and tending their farms and live stock. We explored the valley of the canyon and viewed cliff dwellings, pictoglyphs, ancient pueblos of the Anasazi, and sat for lunch while listening to our Native guides, Irene and Perry. She further educated us on the history of the Native Americans. Irene explained that another word for Navajo is Danai, which means human being as we are all part of the same group no matter what our skin color.
After lunch the hiking continued as we crisscrossed many streams. The water was cool, and a great relief to our aching feet. As we hiked, the canyon surrounded us giving us one beautiful scene after another. Around the water, we saw cotton wood trees, cattle, and horses running free. The cool running water had rocks, and few hidden surprises such as quick sand, we soon found out where not to walk. After we crisscrossed ten streams we finally arrived at the base of Bare Trail. The sight of this steep, striated canyon wall shocked all of us. Some of us who were brave and agile seemed to follow Perry without hesitation; these were Tim, Lucy, Robbie, Lena, Derek, Tina, Liz, and the instructors. Patty and Crystal were a little apprehensive. As the climb got steeper these two reacted strongly to the height of the mountain. As we made it half way up the mountain we looked back and saw Patty on her knees hugging the side of the mountain praying her rosary; we asked her if she was ok and she excitedly said her goodbyes to us all and said she was going to stay there and string beads and learn crafts.
The panic soon spread to Crystal as she reached about 300 feet up the side of the mountain when she too began trembling. She also began walking on hands and knees and her feet were shaking terribly. She realized a little late she too was afraid of heights for the first time ever. A fellow hiker spoke sternly to her about going around a sharp edge. Everyone pitched in and helped these two make it to the top. They will be forever grateful to the group. The best part about this is the laughing and the fun day that we had with each other.
In conclusion, we learned our definition of team work; 9 students, 2 instructors, and 1 tour guide hiking down 800 feet into Canyon De Chelly and 9 hours later hiking 600 feet up, we achieved our goals as one.
When we reached the valley, we looked around and saw the cliffs of rock surrounding us, and the green fields where natives spend summers farming, staying in Hogans and tending their farms and live stock. We explored the valley of the canyon and viewed cliff dwellings, pictoglyphs, ancient pueblos of the Anasazi, and sat for lunch while listening to our Native guides, Irene and Perry. She further educated us on the history of the Native Americans. Irene explained that another word for Navajo is Danai, which means human being as we are all part of the same group no matter what our skin color.
After lunch the hiking continued as we crisscrossed many streams. The water was cool, and a great relief to our aching feet. As we hiked, the canyon surrounded us giving us one beautiful scene after another. Around the water, we saw cotton wood trees, cattle, and horses running free. The cool running water had rocks, and few hidden surprises such as quick sand, we soon found out where not to walk. After we crisscrossed ten streams we finally arrived at the base of Bare Trail. The sight of this steep, striated canyon wall shocked all of us. Some of us who were brave and agile seemed to follow Perry without hesitation; these were Tim, Lucy, Robbie, Lena, Derek, Tina, Liz, and the instructors. Patty and Crystal were a little apprehensive. As the climb got steeper these two reacted strongly to the height of the mountain. As we made it half way up the mountain we looked back and saw Patty on her knees hugging the side of the mountain praying her rosary; we asked her if she was ok and she excitedly said her goodbyes to us all and said she was going to stay there and string beads and learn crafts.
The panic soon spread to Crystal as she reached about 300 feet up the side of the mountain when she too began trembling. She also began walking on hands and knees and her feet were shaking terribly. She realized a little late she too was afraid of heights for the first time ever. A fellow hiker spoke sternly to her about going around a sharp edge. Everyone pitched in and helped these two make it to the top. They will be forever grateful to the group. The best part about this is the laughing and the fun day that we had with each other.
In conclusion, we learned our definition of team work; 9 students, 2 instructors, and 1 tour guide hiking down 800 feet into Canyon De Chelly and 9 hours later hiking 600 feet up, we achieved our goals as one.
3 comments:
Hey guys! I am so glad to see the blog has been continued this year. Kudos to those who are responsible for getting it together every night! Trust me, I know how hard it can be to try and post a blog after hiking through a canyon--You all are doing a great job!
Aside from congratulating you, I wanted to also give you a word of advice...take just a moment everyday to "just be". I know it can be hard to keep up the pace and also "just be", but try and make a moment everyday. Upon my return, and in the year since, those have been my greatest memories.
I barely remember how uncomfortable the van was, or how sore my feet were. I can, however, vividly remember sharing our lunches, while we waited out a rainstorm in the van. I remember us all chipping in to push the same infamous van out of the sand. Those are the moments where I was forced to "just be" and those are the memories that I charish most.
Again, great job on the blog!
Best wishes on your SouthWest Adventure!!
Dear Momma Patty,
Hope you are enjoying your trip. We saw the pictures and it looks like you are having fun. MOMO is says hello. She does not like being on a diet but she will be fit and trim just like you when you get back. My first communion went awsome. Sorry you could not be there but I understand and will see you when you get back. Thank you for my gifts.
Jordan, Alex, Laura and Allan
Hi J A A L,
Your blog came thru tonight.Today we went to a Navajo School and it was just great. Two studens greeted us with their native dress on. Next,more students told us their name and their tribe in the native language, which is Navajo and Dinai. We also sat in some class rooms and ate lunch outside with the students. It was so great .Well, time for bed I will tell you more later. This school has..not thugs, drugs or graffitti, my kind of school.
We took pic and I smiled in every one. Love you, and hi to mo, MP
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