Murray's Tarahumara sandals

He made them himself out of some old mud flaps and leather straps...

Solstice in Chaco and a little Hovenweep

Pueblo Bonito - the largest Great House in Chaco

During the morning of the winter solstice, the rays of the rising sun shine through this second story window in Pueblo Bonito and strike the opposite corner of the room behind it.

Even though the window was "technically" within the building at one time, there was probably a small hole in the outer wall that allowed the light to pass through.

My spirit animal appears - a solitary buck!

Or is he?

A hawk too! A special solstice gift...

Lou loves eating snow but not the camera...

Staircase

Chetro Ketl

My other spirit animal

Considering porcupines are nocturnal, I'll take this as a good sign...

Hovenweep National Monument

So Totally Wicked!

The Petrified Forest - just minutes from Tuba City! Pretty awesome, but given the extreme desert-like surroundings (see photos) also a little strange...


Farley takes a pee. Obviously no respect for the magnitude of our discovery...





Lou finds a bone.

Bring Back the Stache!

Murray grows a mustache for peace.



But when he sees this, he'll kill me...

The Latest "Rescue"

Persia lost her eye...but she got to meet the amazing traveling Rez Vet - Dr. Ruby!

And how many dogs can say they were operated on at their local car wash?
Not many...

Western Navajo Fair - October 16, 17, 18

This year's theme: "The Journey of Life Begins with Love."

Pig Roast in Coal Mine Canyon

Our resident pig roasting expert from the Philippines - Alan- preps the pig before taking it out for the festivities in Coal Mine.


Views from the top of the canyon.

Life in Tuba

'We the five-fingered beings are related to the four-legged,
the winged beings, the spiritual beings, Father Sky, Mother Earth, and nature.
We are all relatives. We cannot leave our relatives behind.'
Betty Tso, traditional Navajo

In memory of the blue Toyota truck - R.I.P.


Moenave - a small village with a reliable spring just a few miles outside of Tuba City.


The San Francisco Peaks, Doko'oosliid - Abalone Shell Mountain, Sacred Mountain of the West - and a lone hogan in the foreground...


The Painted Desert - a long expanse of badland hills named for its rainbow of colors- ranging from various shades of gray to vibrant reds, orange and even pink!






Murray looking towards White Mesa - home of the White Mesa Utes.



On top of Black Mesa, looking towards Navajo Mountain or Naatsis'áán, Head of the Earth - considered the first area to be populated in western Navajo origin stories.

'Our way of life is our religion, and our teaching. If we are relocated by
force, we will die slowly. The people would not be in balance with Mother
Earth and Sky Father and the spiritual people. In every way, here we are
connected to the land. We belong here.'
Mary T Begay, Navajo Elder