Includes:
Guided walk on trails into the spectacular red sandstone canyon (equipment brought by truck; transportation option for those who choose)
Two nights camping (final night motel/optional camping)
Traditional sweat “bath” (lodge)
Day of solitude at Spider Rock
Day of service on a weaver’s family farm in the Canyon
Cost: $615 Does not include: transportation to and from Chinle, AZ, last night in motel (free camping option available), meals outside the canyon, gratuities to guides
To register: Deposit to save a space for you on this journey is $200 (trip is limited to 14 participants). Remainder is due September 19, 2017. Make checks payable to: Earth Walks/PO Box 8534/Santa Fe, NM 87504. (A limited number of partial work exchange scholarships may possibly be available.)
Information: Contact info@earthwalks.org
Itinerary:
Thursday, October 19 travel by carpool from Santa Fe, past Shiprock, NM
From there cross the Chuska mountains to the town of Chinle. Dine (Navajo) friend Daniel Staley and his family will guide us into the spectacular red sandstone canyon to his family land where we will be camping. Those who wish will hike to the site; others can ride vehicles which will be carrying our camping gear. The first evening we will participate in sweat lodge, a powerful way to begin our stay in this land which has been sacred to local people for so many generations. (Those who wish can stay outside the sweat and assist with the fire and prayers.) Meals in the canyon will be a group activity (preparation and clean up.)
Friday, October 20 we travel by truck to the Spider Rock for contemplation and time exploring the spectacular area around Spider Rock in the quiet of the canyon.
Saturday, October 21 we visit Kathryn Pemala who has been a long time weaver on her family farm in the canyon. An important element of every Earth Walks is “service learning”–learning about traditional cultures while we offer service and “return the gift” of living in this great land. We may be clearing weeds from farm land and orchards, helping with the animals, doing repairs or a variety of other activities. Kathryn will share her method and meaning of weaving with us and we will share lunch together as well.
Our final evening, participants have the option of staying at the Sacred Canyon Lodge near the entrance of the canyon. There is free camping available adjacent to the Lodge. We depart on Sunday, October 22.
Contact Earth Walks for registration details and information: info@earthwalks.org
Walk in Beauty! Doug Conwell/Earth Walks