Sunday, August 17, 2008
Chaco Culture NHP, NM: June 3-July 6
We arrived two days late for our stay as campgrounds hosts due to our truck's serpentine belt breaking on the way (see previous tripnews), but we started right in to work the next day. We really enjoyed working with the other hosts, Jan & Jim Allen, who unfortunately were only there for two more weeks. We were a little worried about their replacements, Steve & Tanja. Since they had a 16-month-old, we were concerned how much work they could get done while caring for a toddler. 
They managed well despite a number of difficulties: they are from Oregon and not used to the hot, dry air; their housing was essentially a FEMA trailer, not the least bit child-proofed; and the water into the trailer is untested well-water, which they decided early on they would not use, even in the wading pool, so they did a lot of water-toting. We decided not to obsess over whether or not they did everything "our way", since the cg pretty much runs itself, despite our feelings otherwise at times. One way the cg does not run itself is with Coffee in the Campground, a new program that was foisted on the hosts last year. It was originally conceived as a way for campers to meet volunteers & staff in a relaxed, informal setting over a cup of coffee, but few campers actually come, so it's more like a chance for staff to come over and schmooze over coffee that the hosts had to get up extra early in order to prepare. It was always enjoyable once it was actually happening, but the preparation was always bothersome. We hope the idea falls between the cracks before we return to Chaco.
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Once again we were here for the summer solstice which, despite falling on Saturday, was less well-attended than any other we had attended. Current thinking is that the Great Houses were mostly ceremonial, and that the two solstices were pretty big in the ritual pecking order (with winter solstice being the Big Kahuna). So observing the solstice has become (or re-become) tradition at Chaco, with sunrise viewing of the solstice marker at Casa Rinconada (usually preceded by a Native American drumming, dancing & a blessing) and Native American dances in the plaza of Pueblo Bonito later in the day. This year's highlight was definitely the Hoop Dance by a teenaged dancer from Acoma Pueblo, accompanied on drum by his teenaged cousin. 
Spin-dancing with as many as 12 hula-hoop-sized hoops, the dancer would pause briefly and display one of various geometric patterns he had formed from the rings as he danced. He ended by forming and placing on the ground a hoop-sphere. It was wonderful to see younger people carrying on the traditions of the Pueblos.We finally got to set up & use our "new" telescope, but only for one night. The moon started approaching fullness, washing out the sky, and then clouds started appearing every evening, ruining any chance at good sky viewing. There were two very good astronomers at the beginning of our stay this year, Jim & Darrell, who both pronounced our telescope a "winner". Darrell is also an excellent birder, and one afternoon he spotted a varied thrush in the housing area. Now for people who live in Washington State this may not sound too exciting, but this was a rare New Mexico sighting, so it was a pretty big deal -- plus it was a lifer for us!
We had visitors three different times during our stay: Tom & Deb McIlwain came in early June, planning to stay ten days, but leaving after only six because of the extreme heat; Susan LeFever dropped by for a few days over solstice weekend on her way to Orange, CA, to visit her mother; and Sue Horne took a week off from work to visit starting 6/29 (Doug's & Rainbow's b-day!). We enjoyed seeing them all and were happy to entertain them with special activities and knowledge.As we were getting ready to leave the morning of our last day, we noticed that the truck radiator was leaking. The leak was slight enough that we could still drive by keeping an eye on the fluid level and adding more every couple of days, but it was a worrisome irritation.
# posted by Doug and Willie @ 9:03 PM 
