"The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future" Theodore Roosevelt
I love history...not the "read about the dates and names"...but experiential history; visiting the actual places that history took place where I can imagine walking in people's shoes of the past and learning about their culture. Four years ago I visited the Upper Cliff Dwelling that some of the Salado people inhabited approximately 750 years ago. It is amazing to walk through a dwelling that has been protected for so many years. Last week, I did not make it to the dwellings but spent time with Rosa Sousa on the trail being aware of our five senses...what we were hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling and tasting. Rosa and I both appreciated the beauty of the day and the area we were in. We talked about what vegetation was imported to the area and what was native and what it must have been like to live as the Salado.
Looking forward, I am excited to learn more about the people who inhabited this land 750 years ago. For example: What was the culture like? How many people lived together? How long did they live? What was the family structure like? What food did they eat? What was their daily routine like? Why did they move? So many questions!
During our hike on the trail the air was crisp and at times we could feel the breeze and hear the wind make it's way through the trees. All was quiet except for the occasional chirp and song of a bird. We could also hear the other students' voices as they approached the Upper Cliff Dwelling. It was interesting that once the students entered the cliff dwelling all was quiet, no voices could be heard, we are sure that the same was true for the Salado Indians...the cliff dwellings were a sound protection also. Near the spring that created a creek there was a musty smell, and the vegetation was different from the surrounding area. The beauty surrounding us was prolific: bright green spring grasses, various forms of moss, feathery clouds and cacti, different types and colors of rocks dotted with lichen, saguaro arms reaching to the skies, cute little spiders, prickly pear cactus growing out of rocks, mountains, critter holes, male and female jojoba shrubs. The experience gave us a feeling of peace, relaxation, and inspiration.
Looking forward, I am excited to learn more about the people who inhabited this land 750 years ago. For example: What was the culture like? How many people lived together? How long did they live? What was the family structure like? What food did they eat? What was their daily routine like? Why did they move? So many questions!
During our hike on the trail the air was crisp and at times we could feel the breeze and hear the wind make it's way through the trees. All was quiet except for the occasional chirp and song of a bird. We could also hear the other students' voices as they approached the Upper Cliff Dwelling. It was interesting that once the students entered the cliff dwelling all was quiet, no voices could be heard, we are sure that the same was true for the Salado Indians...the cliff dwellings were a sound protection also. Near the spring that created a creek there was a musty smell, and the vegetation was different from the surrounding area. The beauty surrounding us was prolific: bright green spring grasses, various forms of moss, feathery clouds and cacti, different types and colors of rocks dotted with lichen, saguaro arms reaching to the skies, cute little spiders, prickly pear cactus growing out of rocks, mountains, critter holes, male and female jojoba shrubs. The experience gave us a feeling of peace, relaxation, and inspiration.
I'm 99% sure that was better than mine, I enjoyed reading it!
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