As is the case with many places I want to go, I have almost been to
Chaco Canyon in New Mexico.
We have driven Highway 550 through northern New Mexico, which
passes to the east of Chaco Canyon. Likewise, we have been to Shiprock and
other points to the north. And we have been (and will go again) to Canyon de
Chelly, which lies to the west, in Arizona.
But, despite wanting to, the time has never been right to venture
out into the New Mexico desert to visit one of the most remarkable places
anywhere. Over a period of some 150 years or more, Ancestral Puebloans built up
numerous complex structures from sandstone blocks and timber. Some of the buildings
contained hundreds of rooms, and were not equaled in size or scale on this
continent for centuries. Many of the structures in Chaco Canyon were built in
alignment with solstices and equinoxes and other orientations of the sun and
moon, as well as with distant landmarks.
Historians and archaeologists believe lengthy drought and, perhaps,
warfare, led to the abandonment of Chaco Canyon. But no matter why they left,
the people of Chaco Canyon left behind a place like no other.
I would love to see it.
And I will.
Chaco Canyon is a neat place. I went as a teenager. The scale of the community is impressive, as us their solar calender.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alan. It certainly looks impressive in photos, and what I have read about it is inspiring.
DeleteRod, my late great friend Darrel Rolph ended up owning about forty Pizza Huts, various other random food franchises, and a major-league professional indoor soccer team. Darrel and his great friend Gil Kelly eventually founded a Mexican food franchise called "Carlos O'Kelly's." I loved Darrel, and Gil too. I was doing all the writing for the introduction of the restaurants, here and there. One day, we were having a beer, and I said to my friends: "Guys, you're gilding the lily here. No need to add the "O" and the apostrophe to indicate your Irishness. Good old Gil, he said, "John, you have it all backwards. Our restaurant's name comes from my grandfather down among the whores in Shiprock, New Mexico." From whence the cries would come "Oh Kelly, oh Kelly, oh Kelly." And so it goes. JB
ReplyDeleteQuite the story, John.
DeleteRod, my late great friend Darrel Rolph ended up owning about forty Pizza Huts, various other random food franchises, and a major-league professional indoor soccer team. Darrel and his great friend Gil Kelly eventually founded a Mexican food franchise called "Carlos O'Kelly's." I loved Darrel, and Gil too. I was doing all the writing for the introduction of the restaurants, here and there. One day, we were having a beer, and I said to my friends: "Guys, you're gilding the lily here. No need to add the "O" and the apostrophe to indicate your Irishness. Good old Gil, he said, "John, you have it all backwards. Our restaurant's name comes from my grandfather down among the whores in Shiprock, New Mexico." From whence the cries would come "Oh Kelly, oh Kelly, oh Kelly." And so it goes. JB
ReplyDeleteNot quite as funny on the second telling.
DeleteI hope you will make it to Chaco Canyon, Rod. We have visited it twice, yet still long to spend more time there. Be prepared for a rough road in.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tanja.
Delete