Four Corners and Navajo Nation - August 2011

I neglected to mention in my previous entry that I also had the opportunity to be in SIX "places" at one time! By six, I mean that I traveled to none other than the Four Corners National Monument. Now, I understand that it can be confusing that I say six places instead of four but what most people don't know, at least until they go there, is that when standing at Four Corners, you are at the crossroads of Colorado, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico AND the Native American territories of the Navajo and Ute tribes.

The original marker was placed there in 1912 and has become a major tourist spot. They have vendors there selling handmade Native American crafts, t-shirts, post cards, etc. I even got some of the youth that I was traveling with to "plank" there. For those of you who don't know what "planking" is, that is where you lie face down with your hands at your side and legs straight out (like a wooden plank). It was pretty funny and silly. Driving out there was equally exciting because I got to see the AMAZING Arizona desert landscape. It was very relaxing and beautiful.

I had the privilege to spend a week repairing a chapter house for the Navajo in a place called Teec Nos Pos through an organization called Sierra Service Project with the youth group from my church. It was a pretty amazing experience being in a VERY remote part of the country and in a place that is considered holy by its people. Teec (pronounced TEES) is in what is called "Monument Valley" which consists of a bunch of natural areas that are admired and revered by the Navajo people. The landscape is GORGEOUS! The colors are just spectacular and breathtaking. The pictures I took don't do it justice.

On Tuesday of the week I spent there, I had the pleasure of hearing a young Navajo woman speak about her people. I learned so much Navajo culture; things like: blue, yellow, black, and white are the colors that represent the four directions. I also learned about Navajo basket making. There is a specific design of the basket that has to face a certain way. Part of the basket represents the darkness and some of the design is in memory of those considered holy. We also heard the creation story. It was all very interesting to hear about.

I mostly enjoyed the landscape, though. I think that of all the places I've been, Arizona is my favorite in terms of landscape. I honestly can't get over the beauty of it. It's absolutely amazing!