Got an early start out of Santa Fe this morning. Rode into Albuquerque about 9:00am and stoppd for breakfast.
I started looking for some motorcycle oil because when checked mine looked a little low. I stripped some threads on the oil pan bolt a few months ago and have a very slight leak.
It's one of those, hey, where the hell is it, I know I packed some oil. But it, like my iPod, and several other things so assiduously set aside for packing didn't make it. Anyway, when we arrived at Chinle I checked it in better light and found I didn't need oil. Have some now. It's sort of like Dan White, an old manufacturing manager friend of mine, used to tell me about the squirreled away parts in his office: "I'd rather be caught with it, than without it."
Took Hwy 53 out of Grants heading for reservation land. Stopped for pie and coffee in Ramah. This town was featured in one of Tony Hillerman's books. For any who haven't discovered his work, I highly recommend it. It's who-done-it stuff set in this part of the country with the main characters Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Sgt. Jim Chee, Indian policemen. Hillerman gives a great deal of factual, cultural information about the tribes, especially the Navajo and Hopi in this area.
I believe I've mentioned in the past I really like miles and miles of miles and miles.
Taken just outside of Zuni Pueblo, NM.
The famous Window Rock in, where else, Window Rock, NM.
Adjacent to Window Rock is the Navajo Nation governmental center. This is where Lt. Leaphorn and Sgt. Chee work in the Hillerman novels.
Pulled into the Hubbell Trading Post about 3:30pm. This is one of the most important trading posts in western history. Mr. Hubbell began trading here in 1878. He is most associated with Navajo textiles, encouraging their manufacture and trade throughout the west.
As you can see, many of the rugs are still available.
Very beautiful, and dearly priced. The red-and-black one with the crosses is dated around 1890 and priced at a mere $18,000.
Over the entrance door of the trading post is this bas-relief by Edward Warren Sawyer in 1904. The subject is a medicine man from Ganado. Don't have the characters to give his Indian name, but it translates as Red Point.
A great treat here. One of the great staples of the west was Arbuckles Ariosa coffee. Prior to the introduction of this coffee, coffee was made by first roasting the beans over a campfire. This took considerably more time than westward moving settlers and cowboys had so it was a problem looking for a solution. A fellow named Arbuckle developed a process of keeping previously roasted coffee beans fresh, and began packaging and selling them in one pound packages. (Story).
The visitors center had Arbuckles Ariosa brewed and ready to drink. And it is great coffee!! Had two cups while watching a Navajo lady weave one of those famous rugs.
As we pulled out of the parking area at the trading post, Bob's kickstand popped it's spring. Fortunately he found the spring but sitting in the middle of the road though the place was closing, wasn't the thing to do. We "wired" it up with cable ties and rode on into Chinle. Makes for interesting stops. One of us has to be around to hold his up while were are checking into the motel. But we did.
We are staying at the Thunderbird Motel in the mouth of Canyon De Chelly. Looks like circa 1955, but is very neat and comfortable, with all the amenities, i.e., wireless internet connection.
Nestled among a cottonwood stand it is a very beautiful spot.
My initial intention was to say it was very peaceful and beautiful. That was until I determined why they call them "Nightingales."
At least I assume that was the name of the birds chirping outside my room all, and I mean, all night long. If I'd have had a BB gun there'd be fewer in the area this morning.
But I managed to get some sleep and the place is great. Looking forward to the canyon tomorrow.
After that we're going to have to come up with a fix for Bob's kickstand. He can't go home without some way of lowering and raising it. We tried to fix it last night, but the spring is too strong and difficult to get to while someone just holds the bike upright. We'll see how far we get on this.
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