(FYI- what is NOT mentioned in this article is the fact that the Oglala aquifer is a HUGE water supply line... much of it has its "headwaters" in the area where our relatives have been fighting uranium mining for YEARS! The "powers that be" have yet to be testing for as much as they need to be thanks to the proliferation of the large-scale factory farms and their massive levels of nitrates dumping into our waters! Well, I guess this goes to prove just how far reaching the damage can spread from the origin of contaminations of ALL kinds!)
bluejay



Uranium Found in Kansas Drinking Water Supplies

http://www. ens-newswire. com/ens/nov2008/2008-11-28-093. asp

LAWRENCE, Kansas, November 28, 2008 (ENS) - The radioactive element uranium has been found above federal limits in the drinking water supplies of nine Kansas communities, says Don Whittemore, a geochemist with the Kansas Geological Survey. Now these communities must devise solutions to bring down the uranium levels.


Possible solutions include relocating wells, buying water from other suppliers, or installing a treatment system, such as reverse osmosis.


In 2003 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set a drinking water standard for uranium at a maximum contamination level of 30 parts per billion and gave public water providers until December 2007 to complete monitoring. Not all Kansas communities were able to meet the standard.


"The Arkansas River corridor in southwestern Kansas is especially susceptible to levels of uranium above EPA standards due to water-consuming agricultural practices in eastern Colorado," said Whittemore.


"Low levels of naturally occurring uranium picked up by the river from Cretaceous shales in Colorado are increased as water is lost to evaporation and transpiration," he explained.


Water from the river and shallow aquifers in Colorado is diverted into irrigation canals, farm fields, and reservoirs, giving it greater exposure to evaporation and transpiration. As a result, flows decline and concentrations of almost all chemical constituents, including uranium, increase before the river enters Kansas.


"When these enriched levels are added to natural uranium already present in groundwater in portions of the Ogallala aquifer in Kansas, it doesn't take much to get above the standard," Whittemore said.


The High Plains aquifer, which includes the Ogallala, is the source of most drinking water in western Kansas.


Some cities along the Arkansas River, including Garden City and Dodge City, have approaches in place to reduce contaminants and they were able to meet EPA standards.


But nine Kansas communities and water districts must now deal with water supplies that consistently registered above federal standards. They are - Atwood, Clay Center, Gaylord, Morganville, Norton, Oberlin, Lakin, Rooks County Rural Water District 1, and a Garden City subdivision. Private wells are not monitored.


In Lakin, uranium levels in the city's main well were above the standard over the four-year monitoring period.


"When out of compliance, communities such as Lakin are responsible for fixing the problem," Whittemore said.


A water supply that does not meet EPA standards has to be monitored quarterly while the community works to reduce the contaminants. Lakin and the other Kansas communities are currently investigating their options.


Because long-term exposure to high levels of uranium may cause kidney damage and increase the risk of cancer, the maximum contamination level for uranium is a primary standard, meaning it was enacted to protect public health and is legally enforceable. Natural uranium's capacity to be toxic, or poisonous, not its weak radioactivity, is what raises health concerns.


"Like mercury and arsenic, uranium can be toxic in high doses over a long period," Whittemore said.


As in the Arkansas River valley, high levels of uranium in other parts of the state are derived from Cretaceous-age shales deposited between 65 and 142 million years ago. The uranium leaches into the groundwater when the subsurface shales are weathered by rainfall recharge.


"Cretaceous shales tend to contain higher concentrations of naturally occurring uranium than other rocks in the Great Plains," Whittemore said.


In Kansas, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Bureau of Water is responsible for regulating all public water supply systems and has adopted the EPA's drinking water standards.


The EPA also recommends secondary, nonbinding, standards for dissolved solids, such as sulfate and chloride. High levels of these nontoxic salts and minerals, common in the Arkansas River system, negatively affect the aesthetic qualities of water, including taste, smell, and color, but are not generally considered to be health hazards.

From a blog on CarTalk: "Here they are asking for this enormous amount of money from US the taxpayers...telling congress that GM is burning through cash...AND they had the audacity to fly to this hearing in the Corporate $36m private jets. One congressman asked them..."Couldn't you downsized to at least First Class?" GM has at least 1 corporate jet. Ford maintains 8 corporate jets.

So instead of cutting their own PERSONAL EXPENSES...they lay off workers...Close plants."

Yet, the sad part is that this attitude isn't confined to just the auto industry, it is pervasive throughout corporate America. Even my company who still had 7% growth has laid off people, cut office parties, and stopped unnecessary travel. Of course, AIG may have finally got it with their recent news that the top seven execs are foregoing bonuses and the CEO will only be taking $1 pay for the next two years. Well, it took all that negative publicity after they got their handout and went out and partied, and then the auto industry execs getting their hand slapped for coming to Washington in their private jets. The main thrust of many companies is return for investors. The product becomes secondary. We'll get to the product in a moment as it turns out that much is not even made in this country. It is all about profit and return to investors. So anytime there is concern about profitability where are the cuts made? Exec bonuses? Exec perks? Nope, first knee jerk response is layoffs. Cut the work force, putting more of a burden on those left. Of course, those that are left won't squawk because the unspoken feeling is that if you complain, you could join your coworkers on the breadlines. Look at the news these days and we hear the layoff word over and over and over. Yet, execs are still getting huge salaries, perks, and golden parachutes.

Hopefully, the mentality is changing, but the best job in America is a Corporate CEO. Where else can you take on a company, run it into the ground, and when let go, get millions in compensation? And while you are at the top, you get a car, maybe even a jet, unlimited expense accounts, and so many other perks. The only other people in a company who can do a shit job and still get perks is the sales teams. I don't know how many times I have worked for companies that have cut the production/manufacturing force while hiring more sales. The sales teams go off site for team building at Las Vegas or the Bahamas. I have raised this question before, if the sales team are not doing their job, why do they get to travel and have their numbers added to while manufacturing/production has to cut?

It is just a paradigm that I have seen time and time again. Whenever profits slip, we lay off the work force, close plants, put more and more out of work. Yet, these are not the only issues, the other is outsourcing. Go into a store or a market and just try to buy American made or grown goods. Go on, try it. Mother Jones just did an article on this. O Say Can U Buy? www.motherjones.com/commenta...-buy.html The author tried to buy just American for one week and found that if you could find it, it was expensive. Another article from Mother Jones, When All-American...Isn't , www.motherjones.com/commenta...ican.html shows that even the vaunted Budweiser is no longer American. Of course, it still is brewed in the US, but it is no longer an American owned company. Two interesting points were brought up. Target and Gap keep the "Made in USA" label alive by making garments in offshore US territories like Saipan. Saipan? Do US Territories have to abide by US regulations for labor? This one floored me, APPLE JUICE 75% of it is imported; half of that comes from China. China???? Whatever happened to as American as Mom's Apple Pie? Um, does the pie come from China too? Of course, we won't go there about quality in China. It used to be a running gag that Made in China meant cheap, but lately the news from China is that it is deadly too. Yet, we will continue to import clothes, toys, and even food from China. Why haven't we stopped imports from China even though we have found food tainted with Melamine, toys with lead paint, and so many other issues. It just seems that everything these days is made in China. I bought a belt at a western wear store in Sedona. Nothing says American like western wear right? Wrong, got it home and as I was putting it on, I noticed the little stamp, made in China! Why is China so cheap to buy from? Well maybe slave labor might a major part of it. As my friend Will reminds us, Falong Gong practitioners are rounded up and thrown into prison or retraining camps where they are forced to work while being reindoctrinated. For more info, check out, www.faluninfo.net/

So the American worker is under siege. From Corporate Execs reaping outrageous salaries and bonuses, outsourcing, cutbacks, layoffs, its a wonder anyone is working anymore. As if that is not enough, the upward spiraling of health care costs is driving more and more to the poor house, but in the meantime not getting the care they need because though their health care costs are rising, the services are being reduced. Of course, there is a large PAC between the insurance companies and the health industry to prevent people from signing onto socialized medicine. One of their biggest arguments is that if you let the government run health care your taxes will go up and the government wouldn't provide the service. Um, let me see, what is the single most rising chunk out of my paycheck? Taxes? Nope. That would be health care deductions. Maybe it wouldn't rise so fast if the government ran it. Their other argument about cutting services is so lame as not to be mentioned when they continue to deny service to many. Of course, fuel costs have also hit the American people hard in the wallet. I find it interesting that as Bush's term comes to a close, the price of a gallon of gas is returning to those 2004 levels. So maybe Exxon/Mobil won't reap another billion dollar quarter profit. Hey, it was a nice ride, while it lasted. With Obama as a proponent of a Windfall Profit Tax, I think they saw the handwriting on the wall. So maybe just a little relief there, but other costs are just whacking consumers left and right.

Now that is the key word here, consumers. Let's think about all that has been said here about the American worker. Many have lost their jobs or their job is in peril at this time. Let me tell you, unemployment doesn't cut it. I was laid off after 9/11 in a terrible economy and spent six months on unemployment. I had to tap my 401k just to make the rent. Of course, the government doesn't care why you are taking the money out, so I got whacked with the taxes and 10% penalty so that further depleted my funds. I couldn't afford much, so I bought food when my kids were coming over on the weekend and survived on what was left over for the rest of the week. Even now, I am not happy with my job, but can't even think about leaving it. And even though I get a decent wage, it is dig in time because you don't know what is going to happen and my wife is being outsourced.

So we hear in the reports that consumer confidence is down, retail sales are down, and the retail industry feels that the outlook is going to be very bleak for Christmas. Well, duh! I am working and I have not been in a mall probably since last Christmas. I haven't bought new clothes for myself in years. I usually get a new shirt or pants for my birthday or Christmas. My car is over 177,000 miles and due for brakes and shocks. (It is a 2004, but I have a long commute which kills my back and my kids live fourty minutes away and I have to go get them twice a week.) Now, I have all ready told my kids that Christmas will be lean this year. Yet, I am in a good place. I have a job, my wife is still working until the end of the year. So the question is, who is going to buy all the goods that these corporations are bringing in from other countries? They have pushed the American worker out so that they could have slave labor in other countries manufacture their goods for pennies and then wonder why no one here is buying their stuff? The unfortunate part of it is that we are just as complicit because we flood the likes of Walmart and its ilk to get cheap items. In tough economies like this, we are drawn to the discounters for the cheap items made in places like China because we can't afford anything else. So we exacerbate the problem as we buy less and less American goods and causing American companies to either have to layoff workers or close their doors.

The real question is how to turn things around. Well for starters how about tying execs fates to the fates of the company like in the old days. If the company is failing, they don't get bonuses. If they fail to turn the company around, they don't get a golden parachute out the door. And they don't get automatic bonuses even in a failing economy. Get rid of the perks such as private jets and such. Tie their fate to the fate of the workers, then maybe they won't be so quick to lay people off. I believe it was a Boston radio talk show host said that you can't limit executive perks because then the only people you would draw would be college professors. My response is that maybe that is exactly what we need since many of these execs are more interested in their big houses, fancy cars, and private jets than in whether the company makes it. Of course, it isn't just the execs, but on the other end too, we the consumers. Maybe if we started taking an interest in buying American, manufacturers might just get it and then they might start hiring people. Hmm, novel concept, hire people, put them to work and give them a decent wage so they can, wait for it, oh, I think you guessed all ready, yep, buy something. Some company has to get the ball rolling. They have to say enough, hire back people, get them working and putting money back in the economy. We as consumers also can start taking measures by trying to find those few remaining American goods and buy them. Failing that, don't support slave labor in third world countries or forced labor camps in China. Look for things like Fair Trade products where companies get certified for giving a fair price to the locals for products grown or made in other countries. It may cost a little bit more, but remember the reason for the cheap price most times is because someone else is being forced to make that product for little or no pay.

For a starting point on buying American, google Made in the USA or go to sites like www.madeinusa.org/

As long as we continue to buy these cheap goods from China and third world countries, we are only contributing to the demise of the American Worker.

From the book Weather Shamanism by Nan Moss and David Corbin:
"From the Talmud we have the adage, "We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are." Lacking this awareness, we can easily fall into the deception of regarding any particular worldview as the correct version of reality and defend it -- sometimes with great hostility -- by dismissing or denouncing the perspective of others. History is replete with examples of wars and other tragic tales caused by the collision of worldviews."

What a powerful statement that is.

In this one paragraph, they have managed to sum up just about every conflict that man has had with each other. The sad thing is that even in its simplicity, many, or rather I should say most, people just don't get it. I have often related that Hindu teaching:

“There are hundreds of paths up the mountain,
all leading in the same direction,
so it doesn’t matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one
who runs around and around the mountain,
telling everyone else that their path is wrong.”

it is interesting that a new friend I met on Myspace when introducing herself said how she was pagan and hoped that I was okay with that. What a sad commentary on our world that she would even feel that it was worth saying. Maybe I am just a strange duck, okay, yes, I am a strange duck, but I mean with regard for accepting others paths. Rather than standing against them, I seek to learn their path, both to remove all ignorance and to honor their path. I work with a few Hindu people and have been gifted a copy of the Bagavad Gita to read. I pray I spelled that right. I have stood up for Muslims because I feel that our government has been the worst offender in stirring up the ignorance and hatred because of a group of fundamentalists. Hey, I don't see them lambasting all Christians for bombing abortion clinics or beating up gays. They will be the first to point out that it is just a small group that is doing those things and you can't blame all Christians for the actions of those few. I then turn to them and say, "Exactly, so why are you blaming all Muslims for the actions of the few." The standard response, "Well, it's just not the same."
Out in California another travesty is playing out as the people of California are making it illegal for gays to marry despite that the courts there all ready said they could. So they were able to get married, but now because some ignorant people got it put on the ballot, it is going to be illegal and what of the people who all ready got married. What are they saying to them. Psych! Just kidding, you're not really married anymore? Just for counterpoint to some of the lame arguments against, we have had Gay marriage in Massachusetts for a number of years now. Guess what, I don't see gay people running naked through the streets or standing on street corners handing out pamphlets enlisting people in Gay Army. I know that seems a little over the top, but believe me, there are some people who fear this. I belonged to a Father's that sent out emails that were originally to deal with the outrageous child support guidelines in Massachusetts. It also talked about shared parenting, but when they started about gay marriage and how we had to stand up for this, I asked to be removed from the list. The gentleman who owned it told me that it is an important issue to fathers because they will be recruiting your sons and daughters. Huh? This is just the level of ignorance that permeates our society. Of course the dominant culture or groups will press their agenda, their ideals. If you don't believe it, ask any Native American in this country about Indian Schools or the Canton or Hiawatha Indian Insane Asylums. Many medicine man ended his life in one of those asylums for refusing to "convert" and "renounce" their ways.

So going back to the original quote from Weather Shamanism and the Talmud, "We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.". We shape our perception of things around us based on our ideals, our prejudices, our teachings. If we truly want to see things as they really are and lose the blinders of ignorance, then we have to take the time to learn and grow. Who knows, maybe you might find that instead of the Catholic religion, you like the Wiccan way. Maybe rather than Methodist, you like Baptist. Maybe you find truth in Buddhism or Hinduism. Maybe instead of sitting down in front of the TV or reading that trashy novel, we pick up an introduction to Buddhism, The Idiots Guide to Wiccan, Shamanism for Dummies. I know that the Borders and Barnes and Noble in your neighborhood has a section. Usually pushing Wiccan, Shamanism and such into New Age which puts further stigmatism on them. You could try online at Amazon and search. A good place is Oxford University Press, www.oup.com/us/catalog/g...gionTheology/

Here in the US, we have made a step that I hope moves us back into balance with the world around us. People who live in fear and ignorance need to control others as we have seen with this administration. Maybe with President Obama we will open our hearts and minds more and walk out of the darkness, out of the fear.
There was an old song we used to sing in Youth Ministry:
Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on Earth,
the peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father,
brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother,
in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment now.
With every step I take,
let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment and live each moment
in peace, eternally.
Let there be Peace on Earth,
and let it begin with me.

Words and Music by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller, Circa 1955

it was a powerful song when all the kids sang together. It brought great hope that one day, these young people would be coming together not as Christians, or Muslims, or Hindus, or Wiccan, but as people. One heart, one spirit, uniting us all in a common goal of peace, harmony, and love for all people.
And let it begin with me.
Salaamata, Anachemowegan, Patz, Yatanpa, Koosi, Kupia Kumi Laka, Achukma, Satta, solh, Paix, Mir,Kappia,Nrim-khyam-ye
No matter the language, it all means the same, Peace. You see, we all know how to say it. If you want it in other languages go to www.columbia.edu/~fdc/pace/
No matter the nation, religion or peoples, there is the word peace. Let us remove the ignorances and find peace in our hearts for all people.
My heart to your heart, one heart, one spirit.
dohiyi

The special gift of letters I received for my birthday reminded me of a ceremony we had when I was a Youth Minister. We had a program at the center, a retreat called Search. During this retreat, teenagers were assigned to tables unbeknown to them other teens who had made the Search all ready were at the tables as table leaders. Each of these table leaders had a talk to give on various subjects from friendship to religion, to honesty and such topics. These were followed by table discussions and exercises. It was a great program that inspired many kids. The one that really touched me was Saturday nights when we had Polankas. These were letters of support sent from friends, family and others. I don't care how tough a kid appeared to be, once those letters were opened, Niagra Falls.
Of course, that is how I felt as I read the letters of support, thanks, and well wishes for my fiftieth. I shared some of that in my blogs. One of my friends on Gaia, Mila, told me that it inspired her to write a letter. Not an email, not a text message, but an old fashioned, pick up a pen and paper and write letter. It got me to thinking about how we seemed to have lost that art. Oh, it is still nice to get that email or text message, but a letter always seems more intimate.
So I allowed my mind to wonder a bit more. All last year I wrote about reconnecting. I talked about reconnecting with the trees, the rocks, the water, the animals and insects, but mostly with each other. What a wonderful way to reconnect with someone than by sending them a letter telling them how much they mean to us, how much we miss them, how much they influenced you on your journey. So what say we all take up pen and paper and write just one letter, just one note, just to send a moment of reconnection to another.
There was a song that we used to sing at Search. It only takes a spark, to get a fire going. And soon all those around will warm up to its glowing. That's how it is with God's love, once you experience it. You want to sing, it's fresh as spring, you want to pass it on.
So maybe, when you end that letter, you can add those words to the end. Pass it on.
I thank you all for listen to my rants, ponderings, and wonderings.
My heart to your heart, one heart, one spirit.

I have shared with you the journey that my wife gave to me as my fiftieth birthday and our fifth anniversary. Amazing month this September. Not only my fiftieth, but also my fifth anniversary, and my son became a teen . I have been struggling lately with my own spirituality. I have felt disconnected and really could not be inspired to write. Part of that was the workload thrust on me, but also this being the Year of Hope, I just didn't see any. I had spent all of last year writing of Unity and Reconnecting. Yet, when I looked around, I felt as if nothing I said made a dent. People were still rude to each other. People still did not care about each other. Even going to the woods found no peace as the dirt bikers were tearing up the woods and killing off rare herbs like Indian Pipe. I found that more and more of my time was being chewed up so that I had little time for prayer and ceremony. Add to that the rising gas prices and the economic downturn. Let's not forget the billions a month being spent on Bush's war. I just found it difficult to find any hope in this morass. So my wife sought to take me back out west and take me to someone to do a clearing way for me. I must admit, that it helped a bit. Oh, the world hasn't changed much, just my view of it. I began to remember that despite all the chaos around us, we still had a chance to come together as one people. One of my online friends, CowboyAngel, just wrote a piece about this using the Red Sox as an example. Looking back through the history of the US, we have had our backs to the wall countless times. Yet, when the chips were down, we came together as a people. Not the government, oh they don't even know we exist anymore, I mean the people. Look at Katrina. If it were left to the government, many of those people would still be homeless. It took groups like Habitat for Humanity and even actors like Brad Pitt and even Michael Moore to come together. John Stossel did a thing about this on 20/20 the other night. He showed the paperwork that has to be filled out to build these houses. I think he said that taped together the pages would go 1 1/2 times the length of Giants Stadium. Yet, the American people came together to help each other. In that, there is hope.
So maybe there is something to write about there. The thing that struck me this birthday was the most precious gifts I was given. When I was in Youth Ministry, we held retreat weekends called Search. During a part in the weekend, i believe it was Saturday night, we had Polankas. Polankas were letters written to you from family, friends, and supporters to tell you how much you mean to them and how much they support what you are doing. Well, that is what happened this birthday. It started with a card from my daughter, she is my step-daughter, but I like what I read from Ed McGaa once, there is no step in a family. They are either family or they are not. So she is my daughter. In her letter she said how she was not sure at first, mostly because of my sense of humor. In time, she said that she saw the way her mother lit up when I was around and how I brought love into her life. She told me how she was glad that I came into their lives. Then Cindy handed me the letter from her mother. Her mother said how when she first met me she loved my hair. I think it was a bit long then, but I think it reminded her of my father-in-laws hair when he was young. She told me how blessed they felt that I came into their lives. She said about how happy Cindy looked when I was around.
My sister-in-law sent me an email. In it she told how the family had come to love me and take me in as their own. She noted how I related to my sister-in-law Cheryl and thanked me for being there for the family when she passed. She thanked me for helping her when she was down. She is fighting MS and struggles at times to keep a positive outlook. She told me that I have helped her. She says that when she is feeling down, she hears me whispering in her ear to be positive and work through it. She also mentioned about how I brought so much into their lives and mostly how I had touched hers.
My father-in-law also wrote a letter. This is a letter I will cherish. My father-in-law suffers Alzheimers and while he does pretty good, he does have his bad times. Let me share just a portion of it:

Thank God or who/whomever had you and Cindy meet - marry, etc. Before I forget of my spelling hand gives out, you are chosen! One for Cindy + the rest of us. You always seem to smile (which at first had me worry) Now! I know its how you are.

There was more, but you get the idea and I would like to keep some of it private. I love you too Papa.
The one that really got me welling up and mind you, I had to hide it because she was looking just for that. A letter from my daughter. You know how it is as a parent, you really don't think you are getting through. If I cannot get through to my own kids, how am I to reach the world? I was thinking that I wasn't doing a very good job there. Then I read her letter. She went on to tell me about the many things the we have done together. She told me that the memories of climbing Silver Cascade and the many other escapades into the woods will always be remembered. She told me that she knows she fought me about going into the woods, but once there she began to feel the wonder that I was trying to get to them, but thought I had failed. She reminded me of the times when I raised her up, how I taught the two of them to face the odds and to have faith in themselves. She noted that even when she slipped up, I was there to help dust her off and be her strength. She told me that I had served as an example of the person she wants to be. And she thanked me for making her the person she is. Oh, she is not quite polished yet, but I will say that I admire my daughter for the courage she has shown at times. She is really becoming a wonderful lady that I am very proud to call my own. Now if I can just get her to treat her brother a little better. LOL.
In the end, what I came away with was the greatest gift of all. A reminder that no matter what, I do have the ability to touch people's hearts and help them overcome the odds. And, since this is supposed to be the year for it, give them hope.
So, I will close now with a prayer.
Creator, oh hear my plea. I ask that the people come to know hope. I ask that their hearts become full so that they feel that they need to give their love to others so as to keep room for the love you continue to send. I pray that the hearts of our leaders become open and that they reconnect with the people and the earth. I pray that we open our hearts, that we act as those who came together for the victims of Katrina. That we show love and respect to each other. That we work to raise each other up. That we learn to honor each other's path. That we remember that the only one not getting up the mountain is the one running round and round telling everyone else they are on the wrong path. I pray that peace, harmony and balance, once again return to the land and the people.
Hear my prayer
My heart to your heart, one heart, one spirit

Phew, playing catchup is no fun. It has been a heck of a week. Okay, now where did I leave off yesterday. Oh, that's right, I said I would talk about the Grand Canyon. Well now, pull yourself up a log, sit by the fire while I tell you about this special day.
We met MIke the day before to go over our itinerary. That's one of them there fancy words for what we going to do. Heh. Anywho, we decided to meet around 6:30. He was thinking earlier but then decided to wait a little longer so that we could see Oak Creek Canyon as we drove through it. Actually up and over it. So we packed up a couple of gallons of water. I remind you that in the high desert it can be deceiving as it is not baking hot, but it is very arid. You have to keep yourself hydrated. We had packed some food also so we could picnic up there.
Well, we heading through uptown Sedona heading towards Oak Creek Canyon. Mike had us swing down this little side road where we could go over a small bridge that took you over Oak Creek. Did I tell you it is the only continuously running water there? Reminded me of the rivers in New Hampshire. Back up to the main road (89a) and up into the canyon. He noted a spot off the side of the road where they have a fountain where you can refill your jugs with spring water if need be. Free.
Very soon we were in Oak Creek Canyon and winding up the sides. You have to go up and over to follow the road up to Flagstaff. The road was narrow, twisty, and very close to the edge. Didn't help that we had rented a Toyota 4Runner figuring we might need the off-road ability. It did have a very large tank, which was good for this long trip, but murder at the pump. The view through the canyon was breathtaking. It was a long way down if I veered too far right. I held my breath. Okay, not really.
We followed 89a up to Flagstaff and jumped on 40 to circle around town to the east. I forget the highway we picked up, but we were heading up to Cameron. On the way, Mike had us stop at Sunset Creater Park. The park boasts remnants of the lava flow when the mountain exploded. There were various levels of lava rock, from the huge boulders of black to the fine sand on the hills where the weather had beaten it down. We walked through part of the park, noting the plants that managed to grow through all of this. One hill was entirely covered with the lava now disintegrated into small gravel and black sand. They don't let people go up the hill so as to preserve its appearance. We saw a similar lava field off of Route 40 in New Mexico last year. This particular one is said to have traveled all the way down to Sedona, leaving in its wake very fertile soil.
We headed out from there and on up through the Dene (Navajo) Nation, stopping off at the ruins of Wupatki. I think I spelled that right. These were ruins much like the Anassazi left behind only redder. It is amazing that a lot of these ruins were abandoned around the 1100's yet most of the walls are still standing. Can you imagine our houses today still standing after standing abandoned all these years? It is interesting to note that each family had an apartment that was maybe 8x8 if that. Of course, they spent most of their time outdoors and used these rooms just to sleep or storage. There was also a round walled in area, that I believed, based on what I knew of the Anassazi, to be a kiva. This would be where meetings and ceremonies would take place. Further down was another one but oblong with openings at both ends. The archeologists surmised it must be a ball field since the Sanaqua were descendants of the South American tribes. I noticed that it was right alongside the wash, so I thought that it might have been used to capture the rushing water during the rains and they would close off the holes when it was full creating a reservoir. After all, the things we know now of the Aztec, Olmec, Inca, and others were that they were brilliant builders. Just off to the right from that was a unique feature the Native Americans called "the Breath of the Earth". There was a hole in the ground that led to an underground cavern. When the air pressure was high, it would suck air in, when the air pressure was low, it would blow it out. Thus, the breath. Really quite an amazing place set in a valley where you could see for miles.
Leaving off there we traveled north and soon Mike pointed out to our right. He told us that area was what a lot of people come out to see, the Painted Desert. He said there wasn't much out there, he thought the things we were seeing were more special. We continued driving on up and stopped at a Dene roadside stand. Some amazing artwork, especially the horsehair pottery and statues. They also had some great jerky. We got back in the car and Mike pointed out that paralleling us was the Little Colorado with its own sets of canyons. Mike said that the Little Colorado flowed blue while the Colorado flowed green. He loved to camp at the spot where they came together. Caveat campers, even if the sun is shining when you are down in these canyons, keep your ears open. A storm could be going on twenty or thirty miles away and all that water comes and meets and rushes down these canyons. If you hear the rush of water, get to high ground quickly.
Eventually we entered the park and stopped at the Watch tower. The tower designed by Mary Coulter was to blend in with the surroundings and have a great view of the canyon. Built from stone it features a gift ship and then a tower that you can climb up in and look out over the canyon. The stairs going up are very narrow and it is open all the way down. Well, anyone who knows me knows that I have a problem with heights. I had more than ample trials to overcome this fear. I did go up and even looked over the edge to take a picture of Mike and Cindy down below. Neither was going to go up. The interior is done very nicely. They hired a Hopi artist to do the paintings on the walls. The chairs and a table in there are made from limbs and hides. I believe the shot here was taken down one of the paths near there. Now, I have heard some people say that the Grand Canyon is just a big hole in the ground, but what a hole. It goes on and on with varying colors from the reds found down south in Sedona to the white limestone. The limestone is there because at one time, this was ocean bottom according to geologists. it is hard to believe when you are standing there looking down into the canyon that at one time this was once under water.
After staying at the Watch Tower for a bit, we headed on to another stop. I don't remember all the names, but needless to say, when you stop, it is like seeing the canyon all over the place. Two things affect what you see, the viewpoint, and the lighting. I really suggest that anyone going there take the time to spend the day. You may think you stop once and that is it, but each lookout point offers its own views and visions. Oh, and Mike warned us when we stopped for lunch to keep our food close. The squirrels are rather aggressive as I was later to find out. No, he didn't take my food, but crawled up on the wall in front of me and then down right near me and over my shoe to get at some food. I have been around squirrels all my life but never had one come right up to me like that. Mike said that if I had food in my pocket, he might have gone in after it. While at one stop, we were treating to a pair of turkey vultures flying in the canyon. Their wing span is about six feet but they looked no bigger than a raven from where we stood. At one of the information boards we noted one of the dangers, not being knowledgeable of the terrain before hiking.
An olympic marathoner and her friend decided to go down into the canyon. Between the two of them they had a couple of power bars, an apple and only a litter and half of water. They enjoyed the decent, the views and the wildlife, but soon her friend started to get sick. You have to remember that you are at an altitude in a dry climate. Drink plenty of water is the rule. Well, she found some shade and tucked her friend in there. She then started back up to get help. She didn't make it. Searchers did find her friend alive and she survived. The lesson to be learned is that you can be in the greatest of shape, but this is harsh country and needs to be respected. Don't be fooled by its beauty.
Well, we continued on our trip until we made it to the main entrance. We were going to camp out here until sunset and then get something to eat. This is where I met Mr. Squirrel, but better yet three condors. Unfortunately they were resting at the time, so I only got pics of two on a rock ledge and one in a tree. By this time the afternoon sun was starting to cast long shadows on the canyon. Like I said, stick around, the lighting changes and it is an entire new canyon. I snapped off dozens more pictures and then we decided to go down over near the mule trail. Mike said that it was a great opportunity for us to go "below the rim". Mike and I made our way down the trail over thirty feet down the canyon. Cindy said it was just a little too close for her, so she stayed at the upper level . I managed to take a shot of her "below the rim:". Only ten feet, but still below the rim.
There are two mule tours. A day tour that goes down most of the way and out over the mesa. The other goes down beyond the mesa to the canyon floor. I believe Mike said that was an overnight tour. Where the overnight trail breaks away from the day trail is a wooded area. From the canyon top, it looked like a green strip of bushes. Mike laughed. He said there is a camp ground in the trees and they are 100 feet high. Um, let me just back away from this edge a bit. Yeesh! we went back up top and nosed around in the gift shop. Cindy went over to check out the hotel. I went over to the Hopi House which was another Coulter designed house fashioned after the ruins like Wupatki. It housed a museum and gift shop.
By this time, the sun was starting to set. The whole canyon took on the warm glows of oranges, golds, and reds. Once again, a new view of the same scenes that gave a totally new look. The condors were gone, so I missed them taking off. Darn. The area we were was at an indent rather than a point so the sun set over the point to the west of us.
Once the sun was down, we went to the restaurant inside. We had a great meal to restore our energy. What a day. All we had left was the long drive back to Sedona.
Going out the main gate you passed hotels, motels, and restaurants. A kitchy difference from the beautiful way when we came in from the east. By this time it was dark and we had to keep talking so that Cindy could stay awake. She had decided to do the driving as I drove all the way up and Mike wasn't covered on the rental. We went down the road and passed the Bedrock Campground with the big Fred Flintstone. Glad we didn't come this way in. It was long straight roads all the way down, that is until we hit Oak Creek Canyon. Let me tell you, Cindy was wide awake through those twisty roads up and over the mountain. We managed to make it home in one piece. Tired, but full of awesome visions.
I was truly blessed and have great thanks for all who helped to make this trip the fantastic adventure it was.
As great as this trip was, it didn't measure up to the notes, emails, and letters that I received from my wife's family and especially my daughter. My daughter's letter brought tears to my eyes. Something she was hoping for I think. LOL.
Hopefully tomorrow, I will tell of these greatest gifts.

First I would like to take the time to thank my wonderful wife, Cindy for the great trip she had planned for over a year. I would also like to thank my daughter Neilie for giving her mother the week from her timeshare so that we could go. Neither would tell me where I was going. They were pretty good about keeping the secret all year up until two days before we were to leave, Cindy made the mistake of using my laptop to check the weather. She didn't put it back on the page I was on, so I nosed to see where she had gone. I kept quiet until the next day. I would also like to thank Mike Fitzgerald, my brother-in-laws cousin who took time out of his life to show us the sites and ensure we had a great time.
The trip was amazing. We left Boston's Logan Airport just as the sun was setting. It took a long time to set as we were heading west. So I had sunset almost all the way to Phoenix. Cindy pulled out all the stops and even got us first class out, though we were shoehorned in on the return trip. Why is it that airlines feel that they have to cram people into such little spaces. At 6'2, 245, I am no slight man. I could barely move. Anyway, that might be another rant for another time.
We arrived in Phoenix around 8:30p, I think. It was still around 97 degrees. Phoenix is in what is called low desert. As we were being bussed out to the rental car place, we were amazed at the size of the cactus. I believe these are called Saguro, but can be mistaken. These are the ones you usually see in westerns with the arms on them. Being as we got in late, Cindy had set us up with a hotel. Unfortunately, we got directions to the wrong one and had to have our reservations switched from the other. Same hotel, different sections of town. We walk up to look out our door and see palm trees. Well we saddled up and heading on out to Highway 17 and north towards Sedona. We stopped in Camp Verde to see Montezuma's Castle. Guess how much it cost us to get in? No guess? Nothing! It was my birthday. Oh, okay, it wasn't my birthday, but the National Parks giving a free day to celebrate Citizenship Day. The Castle is an old Sinagua cliff dwelling. It is built right into the cliffs with some "apartments" down along the wall. Cindy was impressed with the Sycamore trees. She loved the mottled bark. We got to see a lizard lazing in the sun and a walking stick. A walking stick is an insect that looks like a stick. This is located near the Yavapai/Apache Casino, so naturally, we had to go and make a donation. Cindy loves the slots. We ate at Johnny Rockets which was a real treat.
After our stopover at the casino, we got back on 17 and headed north. The further we went the shorter the cactus got until we were in high desert and the Sagura were replaced with Prickly Pear. Prickly Pear is a low growing cactus with Mickey Mouse ear type leaves. They were fruiting while we were there. We fortunately were cautioned not to try to pick them. Oh, not because it is illegal, but because you will get these little hair-like cactus needles in you. The spikes on the prickly pear is not your worry, it is those almost microscopic hairs that stick in you and you need a magnifying glass and tweezers to take out. You get off of 17 at 179 and continue north. As you come up into Sedona you are met with the red rocks. Rising up to your right is Bell Rock. If you do go and decide to stop, be sure to get a Red Rock pass. If you leave your car without one, you will get a ticket. You can stand at your car and take pictures, but don't leave it.  You might call Bell Rock the gateway to Sedona. From here on in, it is a 360 view of beautiful rocks, buttes, and mesas. A butte is tall and narrow, a mesa is wide and flat on top. Another thing you will note is that they name all the rocks. Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, CoffeePot, Snoopy, Elephant, and on and on.
As you come to the center of town, you come to the "Y". The "Y" is where Rt 179 meets 89a. Because 89a goes west in one direction and then northeast in the other, it forms a "Y". We stayed at a resort there called Los Abrigados.
Los Abrigados is really nice. The rooms are like you would find in a Residence Inn with mini-kitchens, but with separate bedrooms like a small apartment. Outside our room was the two restaurants on property, Steaks and Sticks and Joeys. Steaks and Sticks has great prime rib and wings. Joey's Bistro is an upscale Italian restaurant dedicated to famous Joeys. Pictures of Joey Bishop, Joe Piscopo and others adorn the walls. Right nearby is Tlaquepaque, (Tuh-lackie-packie) which has numerous art galleries, shops and restaurants. You can see the sycamores growing out of the courtyards as they built around the great trees rather than plowing everything under. Different head in Sedona. Even with the widening of 179 so that emergency vehicles can get by the traffic and the new rotaries at the crossroads, they took care to preserve the vegetation and transplanted the trees. Around here, they just plow everything under and then bring in new trees. In Tlaquepaque there is also the Oak Creek Brewery restaurant where we met Lakota Wolf. Cindy and Lakota hit it off right away and I just sat and ate as they went on and on as if they knew each other for years.
Heading up the Y you can go left which takes you into the "standard" town businesses, banks, restaurants, Safeway, and such. Oh, and the Coffeepot restaurant which offers 101 different omelets. It is in front of Coffeepot the stone formation. The is also a great Italian restaurant which is kind of upscale called Dahl and Deluca. We had just come back in from the back country and weren't exactly dressed, but they let us in anyway. What a sight! If you head northeast from 179 you go into what I call uptown Sedona. This area has all the tourist shops, tours, and restaurants. This is the way to head out to the Grand Canyon also. We had lunch at the Wildflower and sat on the deck overlooking the rock formation called Snoopy. This is where we met up with my brother-in-laws cousin who lives in Sedona and served as our guide. He told us all about the area and where to go and what to see. He was our tour guide on our day trip up through Oak Creek Canyon, Sunset Crater Park, Wupatki, and the Grand Canyon.
We got ourselves settled in, met with Mike and then the adventures began. It started with a Pink Jeep Tour to Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow is where the movie of the same name was filmed in the fifties. This tour is not for the faint of heart as they take you up and over the red rocks . It is well worth it though. Like Rae, our guide, told us, "Even the restrooms have a great view!" Got that straight. Everywhere you looked was an amazing view. There were prickly pear, sycamore and juniper breaking up the red rock. We even saw a mule deer! No Javelina though. The Javelina is a peccary that is indigenous to the area. It is the official mascot of Sedona. In uptown they have statues of them which they have painted or adorned in various fashions. Rae was a card. A Jersey girl who came out like many of the people and just stayed. The tour continues and you are treated to the many twists and turns of the trails and eventually finding yourself in a 45 degree downhill position. Not for the squeamish. It takes them many weeks of training on these trails before they are allowed to take people out.
The next day we headed out to the Grand Canyon. We had Mike in tow and he took us out the back way through Oak Creek Canyon, up towards Flagstaff and Sunset Crater Park and Wupatki, through the Dene (Navajo) Nation and into the Grand Canyon. I will talk about that in another blog as that was an amazing sight in itself.
Now Sedona is an interesting town in that it has three influences, the Native American, the artist community, and the New Age. Sedona is unique in that it has four vortexes right in town. Vortexes are swirling energy centers. The earth is surround by an electromagnetic grid. Sometimes where these grid lines come together vortexes are created. They are all over the country, but in Sedona, there are four locations. So for many New Agers, this is a spiritual center. There are many New Age shops around besides the artist studios and Native American shops. I think this site explains it better than I can. Harold and Mark were wonderful people and added to the greatness of this journey. http://www.sedonamysticaltours.com/
We spent one day just browsing around uptown going in the many shops. I got hold of some Buffalo and Ostrich jerky which was pretty darn good. Cindy is fond of minerals, geodes, and crystals. She found many shops to explore. We did stop in the western way store to get some hats. Mike told us that being in the high desert you are nearer to the sun, so we needed to protect our heads. Oh and drink plenty of water. It takes a while for your body to adjust so you have to keep water with you all the time. We did hit the New Age Center across the street from Tlaquepaque. What an amazing collection of Buddhas, Ganeshas, Quan Yins, gems, geodes, minerals, books, and music. As an added bonus, when you go out into the little side rooms where they have more Buddhas and fairies, the Oak Creek runs run underneath you.
I could go on and on. Tomorrow, Hopefully, I will post our Grand Canyon tour. And then I wish to finish it off with the greatest birthday presents of all, letters and notes from my Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, step-daughter, and an extra special one from my daughter. I will not share the letters themselves, but what they said and the impact it had on me. So stay tuned.
My heart to your heart, one heart, one spirit.

What a long year it has been. Work has been a bear. I had another site dropped on me so I have had twice the work. Though they are talking about getting another person to help out. So maybe an upside there. Of course, the economy has really crimped our plans on selling our house and moving closer to my in-laws. We have the other house picked out, just need a buyer. Patience, my precious. At least gas prices have retreated a bit, not enough, but some.
It has been a little rough personally and spiritually. I keep plodding along though, knowing that at some point things will change. I guess that is what comes from living all these years. After all this time you learn that everything, every phase is transient. If we resist these changes, we only cause difficulty for ourselves. We need to just flow with the river and go with the ebb and flow of life. If you have ever followed a river, you will notice that at times it is slow moving, meandering, peaceful. Other times, it is rushing and splashing as it dashes over the rocks and broken branches.
When I look back over my spiritual life, it has been the same. There are times where I am full on in synch, then other times I feel floundering, disconnected. Yet, I have come to know by looking back over all those years that in time things will change yet again. Maybe that is the whole thing with life, learning to flow with the ebbs and flow. Taking time to enjoy the ebbs, soak up the sun, smell the roses and recharge our batteries for the rapids that may arise.
You know, despite all the turmoil over the last few months, I know that I can come home and Cindy will be there to welcome me home. She is an amazing lady who truly knows the meaning of unconditional love. Then there is Brandy, our springerdoodle pup. She is about ten months now and when I walk in she is all excited. That is what helps me get through those tough tim