Before I get into today's main topic, I have happy news. I just signed with Northern Lake Publishing, a new company run by Craig Hart, a mystery writer whose writing I admire. He specializes in publishing mystery and suspense, and will be marketing my Romancing the Guardians ebooks. I'm excited about this opportunity.
Now for my other news. A
month from now Hubby and I will be in Arizona on a combination vacation and
research trip. First, we will visit my niece and her family near Phoenix. Then
we’ll drive to the northeast corner of the state, to the town of Chinle in the
Navajo Nation. The Navajo named this area Ch’ini’li, meaning “where
the water flows out”, referring to water flowing out of nearby Canyon de
Chelly, which we plan to tour with a knowledgeable Navajo guide.
First anglicized
as Chin Lee, the name was changed to Chinle on April 1, 1941. Long
before that, the location served as a center of trade and war for the Spanish
against the Native Americans. Later, Chinle was the site of an 1864 peace
conference between Kit Carson and the Navajo, ending their war with the
U.S.
 |
| Kit Carson, ca. 1860s; public domain |
The Chinle community was
established after the Diné (Navaho people) returned from the
Long Walk, when thousands of them were forced from their homes and marched over
300 miles to Fort Sumner, New
Mexico. A number died along the way. To learn more about that terrible walk,
read this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Walk_of_the_Navajo
 |
| Navajo at Fort Sumner, 1864; public domain |
After the Treaty of 1868
was signed, Navajos returned to their homelands and many families came back to
Canyon de Chelly and the Chinle area. The first trading post (only a tent)
was established there in 1882. This grew into a camp by 1885. A government
school was established in 1910.
Canyon de Chelly has
provided food, water and shelter for groups of people for over 5,000 years
including Archaic, Basketmakers, Ancestral Puebloans, and Hopi. Today,
about 40 Navajo families live and farm in the canyon which limits access into
the area.
Nearly 84,000 acres of
tribal lands were established as Canyon de
Chelly National Monument under the National Park
Service by President Herbert Hoover on February 1, 1931. To better
manage the park, the National Park Service is working with the Navajo Nation,
Bureau of Indian Affairs and other stakeholders to establish a cooperative
management agreement.
Notable areas in the
park include Spider Rock, White House Ruin, Antelope House Ruin and Mummy Cave
Ruin. And I’m going to see them all. I can’t wait!
 |
| Where we will stay in Chinle; Our guide will pick us up there. Shouldn't be snow in late April. I hope! |
Lyn Horner is
a multi-published, award-winning author of western historical romance and
romantic suspense novels, all spiced with paranormal elements. She is a former
fashion illustrator and art instructor who resides in Fort Worth, Texas –
“Where the West Begins” - with her husband and a pair of very spoiled cats. As
well as crafting passionate love stories, Lyn enjoys reading, gardening, genealogy,
visiting with family and friends, and cuddling her furry, four-legged children.
Lyn, I envy you your trip. We love visiting places like that. We were at the Canyon de Chelly overlook several years ago but didn't have time to go down into the canyon. I've always hoped we could return. We did see Hovenweep, Sand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon and Acuma on that trip. We've been to Mesa Verde (my favorite) and Chaco Canyon several times. Now people can't go through Mesa Verde, but we were able to when we were there several years ago. I know you'll have a wonderful time and gather a lot of information for your Guardian series (and others).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Caroline. I envy YOU for getting to visit all those places. Maybe on my next trip! I plan to snap lots of photos and ask our guide detailed questions. As you know, Canyon de Chelley is a setting I have used at the end of most of my Guardians books, and the series will conclude there in book 8, when the Guardians will battle their mortal enemies, the Hellhounds. Explaining why I want to see the canyon for myself.
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