(As these prices are already very low, we do NOT offer wholesale prices
or discounts)
Nothing else is needed - no name, no address, no nuthin'
else, and we share this with NO ONE!
Editorial
We are asked many times why we don't show the trading places, the Pueblos,
the people we trade with. Well, there are two reasons. First,
I don't want my competitors to know exactly where we go to buy our items.
Let them find out for themselves, like we did.
Secondly, it is impolite, rude, and in many cases illegal to photograph
Indian people and their homes or businesses without their permission. In
some cases it is illegal even with their permission. Photograph
the Church in the San Filipe Pueblo, for example, and it is a $10,000 fine.
Photograph anything in a lot of the Pueblos, and it is very much illegal,
even if you have permission of the person you are photographing. These
Pueblos and Reservations are soverign nations, and free to make their own
laws, above and beyond the laws we normally adhere to. Violate these
laws, and you are in a heap of hurt, and not a very welcome visitor.
Remember, these places are where three cultures are coming together, with
remarkable changes taking place, not always for the good. We have Indian
people there whose ancestors have lived, and farmed, there for hundreds of
years. They have their own languages. The elders are very concerned
that their languages may be disapearing from the face of the earth. Except
for the Navajo language, none are a written language, the young learn it
from the old. Many of the younger people of these tribes cannot even
speak their own language - a matter of great concern for some. They
prefer cell phones, TV, the internet, video games, the same as younger people
everywhere. Learning the language is way down their list of
priorities.
We have the Spanish influence which has been infilatrating these Pueblos
since the 1500's. Coronado and his army arrived, unannounced, in the
1500's and stayed about three years, depleting many Pueblos of their food
until he generally became un-welcome. Coronado was followed several
decades later by Spanish missionaries, determined to convert the people to
their beliefs and traditions. Mexicans followed, claiming the land.
French followed, claiming the land.
Then, finally, the Anglos arrived and exerted even more influence on the
Pueblos, as we all know and have read about. It's a wonder that they
have their own identity left, much less their religions, traditions, and
beliefs. Oh well, that's the way it is.
(I think the Indians are finally getting their revenge - visit some of
their casinos and find out!)
Leaving Tucson, the Catalina Mountains to the right of the highway.
Leaving the land of sunshine and warm winters.
Crossing the "Mighty" San Pedro River, about 30 miles north of Tucson,
which sometimes even has water in it. It originates in Sonora, Mexico
and terminates in the Gila River, about 50 miles north of here.
Entering the San Pedro River Valley, full of Saguaro Cactus. These
plants can go 7 years without a drop of water, and survive.
50 to 70 miles north of Tucson. Dig one up, get caught, wear stripped
pajamas for a very long time. These sagauros are very
protected.
Some of the biggest sagauros in the world are found here. 40' tall
and with 15 or more arms are not unusual. It takes about 60 years
for the first arm to develop, so you can only guess at their
age.
A beautiful set of sagauros.
These Mexican poppies grow in wild abandon along the valleys
and mountainsides.
Mexican poppies. Spring time! Miles and miles of them - they
can be seen many miles off the highway, way back in the
mountains.
Who said the desert is not pretty in the spring?
These are about 40 feet tall, or more.
Entering the town of Winkleman, AZ, on the Gila River. You can see
the huge smelter stack in the background where copper is extracted from the
ore.
About 80 miles north of Tucson, entering a range of copper bearing mountains,
with the Gila River running thru the valley.
Going up the Gila River Valley
We pass a load of copper ingots, "hot" out of the copper smelter
View from the top of the pass, about 100 miles north of Tucson, overlooking
the San Carlos Apache Reservation
We wait an hour while a wrecker pulls a car back on it's wheels. Too
fast on this road? Who knows? No one appeared badly hurt.
View of part of the San Carlos Apache Reservation that we are traveling
thru. About 130 miles north of Tucson.
More of the San Carlos Apache Reservation that we are traveling thru.
About 150 miles north of Tucson.
More of the San Carlos Apache Reservation that we are traveling thru.
About 160 miles north of Tucson.
More of the San Carlos Apache Reservation that we are traveling thru.
About 170 miles north of Tucson.
The Salt River is at the bottom of this canyon. The San Carlos Apache
Reservation is on the right, the White River Apache Reservation is on the
left side of the river.
An old mine on the San Carlos Apache Reservation side of the Salt
River Canyon.
Another shot of the Salt River Canyon, with "Beautiful Wife" in the
foreground. About 175 miles north of Tucson.
Looking East from the south side of the canyon.
Yep, there are many switchbacks on this road. When they say "25
MPH", better watch out. You may be flying without an airplane.
Leaving the San Carlos Apache Reservation at the bottom of the canyon.
Entering the White Mountain Apache Reservation at the bottom of the canyon.
Another view of the Salt River Canyon which takes a good 30 to 45 minutes
to cross. This is maybe 180 miles north of Tucson.
After the canyon, we enter the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Shown
here is one of the great grazing areas for cattle, deer, and elk.
One of the smallest "towns" in Arizona, not even known to most Arizonians.
This is "Bellybutton, Arizona", a narrow strip of land between Taylor
and Snowflake, AZ.
Between Snowflake and Holbrook, AZ. The country is getting flat
and treeless. Nap time for Beautiful Wife.
One of the Streets in Holbrook, AZ. It sounds ominious.
A very old hotel in Holbrook, AZ, which is on Bucket Of Blood Street and
has seen better days. It looks like a Spanish Hacienda.
About 300 miles north and east of Tucson, we are entering New Mexico.
We have been traveling through the Navajo Reservation for some time,
but no place for us to shop.
A Navajo amphitheater where various dances, ceremonies, and events are
held. We are now about 350 miles from Tucson, and off the
Interstate.
Heading back toward Tucson, we are entering the Zuni Reservation. Looks like someone has been using this New Mexico Highway sign as
target practice!
The "official" Zuni welcome sign. This marks the place where photos
are limited to what you can see from the highway.
Zuni Mountain, near the Zuni Pueblo, a sacred place to the Zunis.
After passing thru the Zuni Pueblo, heading back to Tucson, we see a dust
storm forming ahead of us.
Another view of a dust and sand storm we can see forming off to the left
of the highway. We are about 20 miles west of Zuni Pueblo.
We thought maybe we would miss the dust storm, but now we can see it crossing
the highway a few miles ahead of us.
Entering the dust and sand storm. Lucky, there was no other traffic
and fair visibility. Had to slow way down to keep from sanding the
paint off the car.
We got out of the sand storm area, and once again getting ready to cross
the Salt River Canyon, heading back to Tucson.
Another view of the Salt River Canyon. It is getting near sundown,
and the last 100 miles or so will be in the dark. We will get home
in another 3 to 3-1/2 hours.
View of the switch-backs on the other side of the canyon. They are
the same on this side, but can't see them in the photo.
The Salt River at the bottom of the canyon. The San Carlos Apache
Reservation is on the right side of the river, the White Mountain Apache
Reservation is on the left side.
An "official sign" saying we are entering the San Carlos Apache
Reservation.
Two thirds of the way home. Another hour and a half we'll be home.
It'll be dark. The sun is setting. But it was a good trip.
All trips are good when you make it home safely!
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