[Leica] 3 Weeks in the South West

["Gib Robinson" <robinson@sfsu.edu>]

Greg,

If you are interested in AZ native americans, there are many ruins and
communities to visit in the state. In particular, consider visiting the Hopi
Mesas along route 264 and Canyon de Chelly (Navaho reservation) in the
4-corners area of the state (north east). Canyon de Chelly is just outside
your 300 mi limit, but way past spectacular.

The Hopi Mesas are unique, and if you can make the trip before the eary part
of July, you might check with the motel on Second Mesa to see if there is a
Kachina dance scheduled for a weekend at the end of the month or early July.
The Kachinas (tribal spirits) "visit" the Mesas from January to July and
"return" to the San Fancisco Mountains outside Flagstaff in early July. You
may or may not be able to photograph the dances and Kachinas. You need to
ask permission. But whether or not you can photograph, the dances are well
worth the drive. Personally, I do not know of a more powerful native
american event than the Kachina dances.

- --Gib