Traveling through New Mexico and Arizona history

In preparation for our trip through Native American country, I read the book recommended by my son-in-law R called Blood and Thunder.  Wow.  Just wow.  I had heard the name of Kit Carson before, but I didn't have a very good idea of the role he played in conquering the American West, especially New Mexico and Arizona between the time of 1820 to about 1860s.  Manifest Destiny came to life and I leaned so much about all that happened in this critical time period.
I like to imagine what life would have been like for the thousands of Native Americans who lived in this area.  They had roomed this land for centuries and not no concept of boarders and laws brought in by the white man. Their lives were simple and they learned to be ingenious and live off the land, making use of the few resources at their disposal. I marvel at their abilities and skill with weaving rugs, making fine pottery, weaving baskets, making jewelry from the stones they found in their environment, and finding and cooking their traditional food.
As we began our journey, we traveled from Utah to New Mexico and started in Albuquerque.  From there we went to see Sky City in the Acoma pueblo.  We learned more about the Acoma people and the skill they have in making pottery. Their Sky City cultural center was very impressive.

From there we journeyed on to see El Morro National Monument that was spectacular.  Unfortunately we didn't get there in time to hike, but we did enjoy the visitors center and learning more about this huge sand stone rock and its significance. Ancestral Puebloans, Spanish and American travelers carved over 2,000 signatures, dates, messages, and petroglyphs into the soft sandstone. 

That evening we arrived in the Zuni Pueblo  and stayed in a wonderful bed and breakfast called the Inn at Halona arranged by R's father who works in the hospital in the Pueblo. He drove us around the Pueblo and told us about some of the history and the way the people currently live.  We enjoyed some fresh baked bread made in a large adobe oven and he also bought some individual fruit pies.  We got a demonstration from the man who made the bread as to how the oven works.  Impressive! We also got to eat some blue corn pancakes made by some industrious Zuni women for breakfast and they were delicious. 

After eating our huge and delicious breakfast at the Halona Inn, we traveled through Gallup, NM headed to Chinle, AZ.  We had a little tire trouble and had to make a stop to get it fixed.  We saw where R grew up and where his family lived.  We sojourned on to see the Window Rock AZ, the capital of the Navajo Nation. This wondrous site is also home to a hand-carved superbly-detailed Navajo Code Talker statue and a place that pays tribute to Navajo veterans.  Unbeknownst to many, the Navajo language played a very significant role in U.S. history. In fact, the Navajo language was used as a secret code in World War II, which was never broken by the enemy.  Today, these men who displayed their unequaled bravery and patriotism are known as the Navajo Code Talkers.

After leaving Window Rock, we traveled on to the historic Hubbell Trading Post  that is still in use as an active trading post of the Navajos in the area.  We enjoyed a tour and I added another beautiful tile to my collection from this trip.

Finally, we reached our destination in the afternoon - Chinle, Arizona.  We stayed in the Sacred Lodge Inn and enjoyed having our four rooms all in a row with a comfortable conference room situated close by for group activities.
I have a lot of respect for R's father R.  He served his LDS mission in the Navajo Nation and has spent his career working in health services among the Native Americans in Chinle, Gallup and Zuni. He is such a kind, dignified, hard-working, funny, generous man who is so interesting to talk to about Native American history and facts.  We enjoyed having him with us on this trip and appreciated his kind and gentle ways.