For Our World - thank you to the hosting team.
Ruins, Canyon De Chelly
Earlier this month in OUR WORLD, we explored parts of the FOUR CORNERS area that we'd missed on earlier trips. We spent time in four states -- Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico -- and much of the time we were in a (sort-of) different country -- the semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory of the Navajo Nation.
Canyon De Chelly is the only National Monument that isn't actually federally owned. All of the land belongs to the Navajo...it is jointly administered by the Tribe and the National Park Service. Ancient Pueblan people farmed in these canyons and Navajo families still do.
Right now though it's very dry and hot in the canyons and invasive cottonwoods and other species are drinking up a lot of what water there is. Farming can't be easy.
Because of traditions handed down through their mythology, Navajo people do not usually enter buildings of the ancients. The Standing Cow ruin (above) is an exception. The foundation of this ancient round building was excavated years ago and used to construct a stone hogan. One couple lived in it while they looked after their fields. Our guide told us that the woman lived there until she died. (I will do another post later with more pictures of the Canyon's pictographs and petroglyphs.)
The Canyon with invasive Cottonwoods along the creek bed
Here are two more links with information about the Canyon.
Interesting post and some great shots documenting your visit.
Posted by: Nick | July 11, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Amazing pics and amazing history.
Posted by: diane | July 06, 2012 at 06:15 PM
amazing..but it seems so hot and dry..lol
Posted by: Rambling Woods | July 06, 2012 at 01:57 PM
The door puts the mural in perspective. I am very grateful. What a world.
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | July 04, 2012 at 08:20 PM
Very interesting to know that this land is part of the Navajo Nation, Sallie - have you run across any Navajo weaving in your recent travels? Very awe inspiring country.
Posted by: Hildred | July 04, 2012 at 03:49 PM
Beautiful and very interesting place, fantastic photographs. I am greeting
Posted by: ZielonaMila | July 04, 2012 at 11:21 AM
You did our state proud! Thank you so much! Happy 4th of July!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | July 04, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Farming? Here? Lordy, lord... But this Navajo land IS impressive.
Posted by: Francisca | July 04, 2012 at 06:46 AM
Thanks, Sallie for your beautiful and interesting post. We visited Canyon de Chelly, years ago and it is for us a very good memory. Sometimes i thing I'd have been an Amarican people, because I love those large landscapes and the way you can travel between earth and big sky.
Posted by: Annie | July 04, 2012 at 06:37 AM
Sallie you make a great tour guide. Interesting and factual information along with outstanding photos. Who could ask for more.
Posted by: Rita aka Cashjocky | July 04, 2012 at 12:23 AM
The standing cow ruin is fascinating! I wonder if the woman who lived in the stone hogan until she died kept any sort of diary. The last photo is beautiful, but invasive species do cause a lot of harm to the environment.
Posted by: Carol Carson | July 04, 2012 at 12:05 AM
What stunning captures of nature and the past. It is amazing how people lived/survived.
Posted by: Jewaicious | July 03, 2012 at 10:11 PM
I am enjoying your travels so much. Wonderful shots and an interesting post.
Posted by: Carver | July 03, 2012 at 06:09 PM
Great shots, The canypn is one place I would kike to visit one day..:-)
Posted by: Ed | July 03, 2012 at 05:44 PM
This area is fascinating! At home, it's still raining and the heating is on...
Posted by: HAZEL | July 03, 2012 at 09:44 AM
Interesting, and beautiful!
Posted by: Clair Z. | July 03, 2012 at 09:34 AM
So impressive! It's amazing what nature has created.
Posted by: Halcyon | July 03, 2012 at 09:19 AM
Nice shots, I really need to visit this area while I still live in Colorado.
Posted by: Al | July 03, 2012 at 06:46 AM
The standing cow ruin is fascinating to see and know about but I love the last picture the most! Very interesting place, Sallie! Many thanks for showing it to us :)
Posted by: Arti | July 03, 2012 at 05:17 AM
What an amazing place!
Posted by: Lady Fi | July 03, 2012 at 04:31 AM
Its amazing what remains after all this time. Thanks for sharing photos of your wonderful travels, Sallie.
Posted by: Pam | July 03, 2012 at 03:12 AM
These old buildings (and the stone cites in Petra, Jordan) are such iconic places - two more lines on the "must do" list.
Cheers - Stewart M
Posted by: Stewart M - Australia | July 03, 2012 at 01:53 AM
Great and interesting post!
Wonderful shots from a beautiful place.
Thanks for sharing.
Mette
Posted by: CameraCruise | July 03, 2012 at 01:40 AM
Super post Sallie. Non native invasive species are a bane to marginal farming and living. I love visiting with you, it really opens my eyes.
Posted by: Arija | July 02, 2012 at 11:50 PM
You got some great pictures here and information I'd never heard before. We really like this area and are planning to visit again this fall.
Posted by: Margot | July 02, 2012 at 10:28 PM
I hiked to the White House at De Chelly many long years ago and there wasn't anyone else there.
Posted by: Gaelyn | July 02, 2012 at 06:49 PM
Fascinating tidbits of the Navajo. Even though invasive, the cottonwood trees look pretty growing in a curvy line along the canyons. You captured some beautiful photos here. Sounds like a great trip!
Posted by: Gail | July 02, 2012 at 05:43 PM
Great to see and know that preservation is maintained for future generations to admire. The Indian carving are truely remarkable and so well preserved.
I see some of the "Aussie" rain has at last arrived, hope the rest gets there also to knock out all those bushfires. Just keep the rain there for a couple of months, then you can blow it back here!!!
Cheers
Colin (Brisbane. Australia)
Weather report: Fine, sunny and chilly. Not a cloud to be seen, and everyone is happy.
Posted by: Colin Huggins | July 02, 2012 at 04:39 PM
I do love Canyon De Chelly! I haven't been there in a long time, but what a beautiful place it is! I love your photos, Sallie, thanks for sharing! Have a Happy July 4th!!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | July 02, 2012 at 03:38 PM
I've never been to De Chelly. I like learning more of Native American history - the hogans are so interesting. It sure does look hot and dry, though! Happy 4th, Sallie.
Posted by: Barb | July 02, 2012 at 03:30 PM
Wow, it is a very interesting place, are you allowed to hike around there on your own or just with a guide. Great shots, thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Eileen | July 02, 2012 at 02:38 PM
What a great post. Really informative and interesting.
Posted by: Fun60 | July 02, 2012 at 02:33 PM
Thank you for shoring us how they live - I don't envy them, farming is that heat and drought!
Posted by: Jeannette StG/Emille | July 02, 2012 at 12:34 PM
One of my favorite places on earth! Lovely!
Posted by: Snap | July 02, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Great post, but I didn't know about the invasive cottonwoods. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | July 02, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Wonderful shots of very interesting place.
Posted by: Rajesh | July 02, 2012 at 12:12 PM