The sun was setting on Kayenta, AZ when I decided to join our professor, Mary Ann McGarry, to view a unique cultural and historical exhibit, displayed in the most unusual of places- the Burger King across the street from our hotel. Amidst the typical fast-food restaurant décor, in the middle of the dining room was [...]
Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category
A Cultural and History Lesson In A Most Unusual Place by Jess Cossentino and Mary Ann McGarry
Posted in Culture, Travel study on May 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Hogan: The Traditional Navajo Home by Chelsi Coulombe and Mary Ann McGarry
Posted in Culture on May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
My introduction to Navajo culture was on the first day of our PSU trip to the Colorado Plateau. At the Four Corners Outdoor School of Education in Monticello, Utah, the founder Janet Ross, gave us a tour of the facility. As we approached a beautiful, symmetrical structure with the door facing east, Janet informed us [...]
“Uravan: A Fading Memory” by PSU student Jess Byrne and Mary Ann McGarry
Posted in Culture, Geology on May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
As I walked into the elementary school in Paradox Valley, CO I was led to the office where I met Jon the principal and another faculty member who informed our PSU group about their backgrounds and where they each had grown up. The female teacher’s story intrigued me, she related that the town where [...]
The Golden Eagle by PSU student, Chelsi Coulombe (edited by MaryAnn McGarry)
Posted in Biology, Culture on May 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
A Plymouth State University group of students experienced the amazing beauty of the Southwest while floating down the San Juan River during a travel course that took place during our March spring break of ‘09. Gray cottonwoods lined the river banks and contrasted with the red canyon and blue sky backdrop. These vistas and [...]
Exploring An Ancient Tree House
Posted in Culture on May 11, 2006 | Leave a Comment »
I am perched on a ledge at 7,000 feet on the underside of a cliff. There is an ancient cliff dwelling directly in front of me. My hands are touching it. It feels firm, architecturally secure, almost like it was constructed in modern times. I would not guess it dates back to the 12th century. [...]
Wondering About the Varying Sizes of Native American Reservations in the Four Corners Region
Posted in Culture on May 5, 2006 | Leave a Comment »
Having lived in Arizona, I certainly was familiar with the relative large size of the Navajo Reservation (27,000 square miles- the largest Native American Reservation in the U.S.) compared to the much smaller Hopi Reservation (6000 square miles). However, I knew virtually nothing about the Ute Reservations until visiting the Four Corners Outdoor School. We drove by signs [...]
Sleeping Ute, Sacred Ute!
Posted in Culture on May 5, 2006 | Leave a Comment »
Standing outside at the Four Corners Outdoor School base camp outside of Monticello, UT, one can see the Sleeping Ute off in the distance. The Sleeping Ute mountain range resembles a person laying down. Features that can be made out are a head, arms crossed over the chest, hips and legs. Ute legend tells of [...]
Treasuring Butler Wash Petroglyphs
Posted in Culture on May 4, 2006 | Leave a Comment »
One of the neatest parts of the Four Corners trip was seeing the petroglyphs at Butler Wash. Butler Wash is a side canyon off of the San Juan River, whose cliff faces are covered in petroglyphs. The panel which we stopped at is perhaps the most famous of these petroglyphs and can only be reached [...]
Learning about A Navajo Legacy- Canyon de Chelly
Posted in Culture, Geology on April 21, 2006 | Leave a Comment »
One of the neatest places I visited while out West was Canyon de Chelly in Chinlee, AZ. The “Chelly” is pronounced “shay” and not as it is looks. I found out that this is a big deal with the native residents, they get very upset if the name is pronounced wrong. The canyon is designated [...]
