Ya’át’ééh Késhmish

Christmas Eve on the Navajo Land

The tinkling bell coming from the sheep corral,
Could it be that a new lamb is born?
The night sky is the clearest and the stars are the brightest
Only a coyote’s howling breaks the silent night.
The Hogan stove pipe is whirling smoke gently
The cold night is calm and peaceful.
The snow reflects the light of the stars
The beauty of winter nighttime is here
The clean cold air is crisp and refreshing.
Christmas Eve is here,
To bring together families
A time for storytelling by the elders,
A time to listen, A time to learn.
Ya’át’ééh Késhmish to all, and to all a good year.

(written by Johnson Dennison, Native American Healer)

Vera Lynn Hatzfeld.... Grandma (05/19/33 -12/15/08)

A more loving and giving woman,  you'll never meet.

She was an amazing woman who stood up for her herself, her friends, and especially her family. She lived for helping other people, as this was truly what made her happy. She was always loving a new foster animal...from skunks to goats, chickens, cats, dogs & who knows what else!

All who knew her were better for it. The smile, the laughs, the hugs, and the spoiling (think handmade quilts, chocolate gravy and homemade fudge) made her the grandest Grandma of all. We will miss you very, very much.

Season's Change

As winter is upon us, I find myself torn between eagerly anticipating snow and wanting just one more day to soak up the warm, lingering sunshine.

The past month has been busy as usual, both at work and home.

Our little pup was diagnosed with canine parvovirus. We left her at the vet being told she had a 50/50 chance of survival. 5 days later she was on her way back home and a few weeks later, she's up to her usual antics.

After 14 months in Arizona, we finally made our way to the Grand Canyon. Ryan and Patricia planned a fabulous 3 day, 2 night backpack into the canyon from the South Rim. We traveled the Hermit Trail, Tonto Trail, and up the Bright Angel Trail.

We had beautiful weather, perfect campsites, Ryan's now famous "Pretty Cool Canyon Pasta", great friends and of course - sore legs. We were lucky enough to see rafters on the river, which brought up daydreams of a month long rafting trip through the canyon! Although the canyon is Grand, and views from the rim are breathtaking, I can now say, the only true way to experience the canyon, is to be in it. 3 days was nowhere near enough.

A last camping trip for the season included 9 friends and 5 dogs at Cedar Mesa, UT (a favorite of the Scarborough's). We hiked at Bear's Ears and visited Natural Bridges National Monument.

For once spending a few weekends at home, we were able to explore more in our "backyard".

A co-worker invited us to a Yei Bichei ceremony in which her daughter was dancing. It was our first of hopefully many ceremonies during our time on the Navajo Nation.

In a few short days, we are off on a whirlwind tour home for Thanksgiving. Visiting Sue and Sanford (Happy 75th Birthday!!!) in Scarsdale, NY then on to visit mom, pops and the family in PA. It will be an exhausting trip, but we can't wait!!!!!

Harvest and a growing Allagash

Home garden grown pumpkins freshly harvested while lounging puppies soak up the late afternoon sun.

Things Long Gone

Those of you who are actually still reading our blog are probably realizing (if you didn't already know) what a slacker I am when it comes to keeping in touch via email, phone, snail mail, and of course blogging. Time keeps flying by with the usual jam packed weekends, stressful work weeks and growing, energetic puppies. It's barely fall (last night was our first frost) and I am already dreaming of fluffy white stuff to play in :o) But, this post is about the past few months adventures that we have yet to mention.

Let's start with a Labor Day canoe trip to Blue Ridge Reservoir in the Coconino National Forest with Chris, Kristine, Matt and Tara. We paddled to the Eastern end of reservoir to find camp and hopefully lots of biting fish.

Despite rain each night and almost the entire second day it was a beautiful weekend and a great adventure! Arizona continues to amaze me with it's diverse landscape and yes, even cold, clear blue lakes!

We spent the first weekend of Autumn with Allison (HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON!!) and Sarah in Albuquerque. Our Second Annual Chili Roasting - Red Sox Watching Weekend! For the second year, fall brought homesickness for New England weather, foliage, apple picking and pumpkins galore. I haven't found a better cure than spending the weekend with great friends peeling, peeling, peeling and peeling green chilies. Some beer and Sarah's green chili stew also go a long way to soothing my New England Fall yearning soul.

The following weekend was the Austin City Limits music festival. The night before the festival, Dave and I read about the famed chicken cones of ACL! They also had fish cones and avocado cones (or combos of both)..... 1 cone was enough to explain why they are famed!!! mmm mmm mmm. We went knowing only a handful of bands, but left having a long list of new music to download. Some bands of note that are new to us (by no means an exhaustive list): M. Ward, Fleet Foxes, Mates of State, Antibalas, Manu Chao, Hot Chip, Jamie Lidell, The Fratellis, Jose Gonzales and Mugison. Check them out!!

Last weekend Ryan, Patricia, Dave and I participated in the Chuska Challenge in Tsaile, AZ. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all our friends and family who answered our last minute call for donations for the ride! The ride raised money for the Navajo YES group (Youth Empowerment Services) that gets Rez kids out biking, hiking, camping and enjoying nature.

The ride seemed all uphill, and when it wasn't up hill, it was sandy. Then the 40 degree rains came and all the sand turned to mud. Pushing out bikes through inches of sticky, thick, clay/mud will be a challenge I don't think I'll ever forget!!! Needless to say, the motto of the day became "That why they call it the Chuska CHALLENGE". The Chuska's are breathtaking this time of year with the aspen trees in full color.

Thanks to Ryan and Patricia, who will forever be our biking motivators, for getting us out for the great ride!!

While all of these great weekends were occurring, we missed too many weddings, a Karwacki family reunion and other happenings with family and friends. I do love living in Chinle with all of the uniqueness of day to day live here and the great location of the 4 corners area. But, there are many many times when Dave and I both truly feel how FAR AWAY we are.

CONGRATULATIONS to the newlyweds we couldn't celebrate with in person: Lori and Chad, Meg and Addy, Matt and Patty!!!!!!

Running the Imogene Pass

For those of you who have heard of the Imogene Pass Run, your reactions to my sentence "I'm running the IPR" ranged from mumbles of disbelief to shouts of encouragement. Never during my 4+ months of training did I doubt my ability to make it over the pass, but at times I wondered "What the hell am I doing!!??"

I was lucky enough to be running the race with my friend Kristi, who had a case of the nerves for days preceding the race that parallelled mine. Not even gluttonous carb loading remedied us! The run course elevation profile might explain our nerves....

Or maybe the course description that states...

Mile 1.85– First view of United States mountain (13,036 ft.), located straight ahead at the head of Canyon Creek valley. Keep in mind that Imogene pass is 84 feet higher than the summit of United States mountain, and adjust your effort accordingly.

or even better yet...

Mile 5.45– Lower Camp Bird bridge (9755 ft.), spanning Sneffels creek. At this point the runner might philosophize a little and consider just where he or she is in this effort called the Imogene Pass Run. At this bridge you have climbed 1945 feet (net) of elevation in 5.45 miles, at an average of 356 ft./mi., or 6.8% gradient overall. To reach Imogene Pass from here you must climb 3365 feet in the next 4.60 miles, at an average of 731 ft./mi., or 13.85% gradient overall. Your effort so far has simply been a warmup. The steep gradients of the named hills below you are now less than the average gradient ahead of you.

If that didn't convince you, maybe pieces from the description of mile 9 (the last mile on the way to the summit) may explain our squirrley stomachs!

Mile 9.00— Elevation 12,310 ft. Your work is cut out for you in that the road makes up for lost time as it climbs 240 feet in the next 0.24 mile at an average gradient of 1000 ft./mi., or 18.9%.

Mile 9.30– As with Murphy’s law, nothing worthwhile ever comes without sacrifice. The road mounts another effort to repulse you with a merciless hill which climbs 230 vertical feet over the next 0.2 mile (1050 horizontal ft.) at a gradient of 1150 ft./mi. (21.8%).

Mile 9.60– The pass is now seemingly within touching distance, but you still have dues to pay. The road steepens again in a final effort to discourage you, presenting a climb identical to the previous merciless hill (195 ft. vertical in 0.17 mi.; 1145 ft./mi., or 21.7% gradient).

Mile 9.77– Even the fittest of mountain runners may consider pausing at the top (12,945 ft.) of this final grind, but only for a second.

Mile 9.85– Yes, it is still a climb (130 ft. vertical in 0.12 mi.; 1080 ft./mi., or 20.5% gradient),

Mile 9.97– Imogene trail/road junction (13,120 ft.). You have succeeded in gaining the summit. The long climb is behind you.

WHOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!! But that was just the climb... now it's only 7.1 miles downhill to Telluride!

UMMM..... yes.... we knew this when we signed up (WHAT?!?!).

Saturday, September 6th, I finished the 17.1 mile race in 4 hours, 14 minutes and 12 seconds. There were just over 1100 participants total. I finished 181st out of 475 females who crossed the finish line. Dave and the puppies were there to cheer me to the finish :o)

Kristi and I have already promised each other we will be running again next year. Who's with us??

Weddings and August Adventures

Dave and I have been thankful to have Ryan and Patricia motivating us to get out and bike more. "Mushroom Valley" (by no means an official name) is a few miles behind our housing area and contains slick rock and hoodoos making a biker's playground. What a gorgeous night for a ride!

Two of my coworkers (The Adcock's) were married in Flagstaff, AZ August 16th and the following weekend we traveled to John and Sarah's BIG DAY in Beverly, MA. I was able to spend the day with my friend Amie at her lake house, go for a great run in the Fells, and spend the rest of the weekend hanging out with Brian and Mimi.

The wedding was great and I was pleasantly surprised at how handsome men could look in kilts! It was sooooo good to see friends we haven't seen in over a year and to support John and Sarah on their special day. (Thanks Charlotte for letting me borrow your FABULOUS dress!)

We arrived back in town just as the Chinle Navajo Fair was setting up for it's festivities.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ddunston/WeddingsAndAugustAdventures#

Introducing Allagash!

I know, I know. We haven't even been on the Rez for a full year and we already have 2 Rez dogs. I hope this isn't a prediction of future trends.... but something worries me about that too ;o)
Saco loves his new sister, who the vet thinks is a border collie mix (of what, only time will tell). She is 8.5lbs as of this morning and is approx 8 weeks old.

We took her to Colorado this past weekend where she sassed all the other older, male dogs around ;o)

Welcome to our family Allagash (Allie)!

Johnny Maaashall's bachelor weekend in Idaho/ Yellowstone

Some of the boys got together to send John Marshall (Dave's roommate...forever) into his upcoming marriage to Sarah Karish, Idaho style. Amazing place if you've never been. Pretty much an outdoor heaven if you are looking for that kinda thing.

Reid....We aaah your god fatha (I mean parents:-)

Julie and I were honored to become god parents in February when Reid Jeffrey Ohanesian was born in Boston to our friends Tanya and Darrin. We are looking very forward to watching him grow and remaining a close part of his life.

babar chooses wind power

Dave and I have taken a larger step than just our daily life changes toward a sustainable future. We have decided to purchase wind energy credits to offset the average family's yearly energy usage.

Detailed Explanation Renewable Choice Energy

We will be saving 12,267 lbs of CO2 annually. This has an impact similar to planting up to 50 full grown trees or not driving 13,392 miles. And better yet - we are supporting domestic energy.

Still not carbon neutral - but getting closer :o)

Check it out.

bad ass bluegrass and the summer solstice

Our first of hopefully many Telluride Bluegrass Festivals lived up to the hype. I can't think of a more beautiful venue for a festival or a better way to celebrate the solstice.

The one and only Carly Efros met us in T-ride for the experience. We met some great people and had a grand time hanging out with 2 new friends, Downtown Kimberly Brown (check out http://dirtyhairdesign.com ) and Bill Humby. Here we are waiting for the festival bus (I'm taking the picture).

Some of our favorite acts include: Brett Dennen, Paolo Nutini, Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain StringBand, and of course Steep Canyon Rangers and Bela Fleck.

The festival was 100% carbon neutral!!! They asked vendors not to sell bottled water and provided free town (delicious mountain town) water to everyone for use in reusable water bottles. They not only had trash and recycling bins, but composting bins as well. Food vendors used corn based plates, cups and utensils so that much of the waste could be composted.

Until next year (hint hint Scarboroughs)......

everyone keeps asking

"What have you been doing all by yourself while Dave is on vacation???"


I am very happy to be posting this with my husband snug by my side, but must also admit that I enjoyed having my own time these past two weeks. I was able to do some gardening that I had long put off (ok, I'm still putting off the last of the seed plantings) and am proud to say we have picked our first jalepeno!

I was also able to hang out with friends in Chinle, which felt a long time overdue. I went on a hike to Mushroom Butte in Tsaile and biked to Spider Rock Overlook (my first real road biking experience - 42 miles and I LOVED IT!! Thanks Kristi!).

Summer has arrived in full force and even the dog needs a bigger water bowl.

Dave returned to a ride at the airport waiting to sweep him away to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival this past weekend. A fabulous way to celebrate the summer solstice... pictures to come!

M.I.A in May

Already I have been slacking on our blog updates, but life has been hectic (in the best of ways). Early May I took a trip home to PA to hang out with family and for Janelle & James' wedding. With each visit home I feel I have a changing perspective on family and how incredibly wonderful mine is :o) I didn't catch my nieces on camera too often, so we had a "before school chocolate chip pancake" photo shoot my last day with them. What beautiful models! HAPPY BELATED 8th BIRTHDAY ASHLEY!

Memorial Day weekend we went to Taos with Allison & Sarah, Ryan & Patricia and of course Jack and Saco. As we left Chinle Friday night the skies treated us to this sight.

Taos proved to be as unique as we hoped with it's earthship houses, Spanish influence, laid back living, and biking/hiking accessible from town. Besides how short the weekend felt, it was a perfect start to the summer with great friends, camping and outdoor living!

After just a few days home of unpacking and repacking, we left for a 3 day backpacking trip down the Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon. 8 of us total - (plus Saco, sans Tsosie and Jack who had a bum paw). Somehow sleeping in a canyon with nothing between you and the stars except cool night air makes 14+ miles in one day with 45 lbs on your back more than worth it! The all you can eat BBQ joint just a few miles from the trail head in Utah nursed us back to health (well, okay, maybe overstuffed sickness!) after 3 days on the trail.