A lot of Mind/Body/Spirit is focused on a place called Dark Canyon these days. In June, the Tribe will be Gathering at Dark Canyon, Utah, to locate the 4th Pyramid of the Four Corners. Peter says this one is called the Crown Pyramid. In my musings, it is clear that we will be playing with “hidden chambers,” connecting passageways, and capstone location. “So, what is it,” you ask?
To set the stage, I picked up a copy of Louis L’Amour’s classic western, Dark Canyon. Opening to a random page, I could feel the shivers playing with my spine as I began to read…
“…In the days that followed, Riley began his exploration of Dark Canyon. It was a gorge from fifteen hundred to two thousand feet deep, so narrow that for miles the sun never reached the bottom except at noon when it was directly overhead… Much of the canyon bottom was choked with a thick growth of trees and brush, dotted with pools of clear, cold water…Here and there, the pools were fairly deep and were shaded with cottonwood, box elder, ash and ferns. When sunlight touched the higher walls of the canyon it turned to amazing color the sandstone and limestone walls, stained by water, streaked by iron or salt. Only one trail led to the bottom, a dim trail used only be wild animals…”
“Great boulders bulked among the trees; willows leaned over the still, cold pools. There was no sound but the faint trickle of water and the hum of bees…”
“For several miles he worked his way cautiously along the bottom, finally leaving his horse at a small meadow among the trees, where the grass was luxurious and green…”
“Here, in the barren, rocky country of the southeastern corner of Utah was a veritable Eden, a place so lovely and so remote as to be unbelievable. And from above, not a hint of it, so far below.”
Wow! The symbolism leaves me with even more questions. I’m off to commune with my “Muse”… to contemplate the broad scope of what awaits us in June.
Trip Particulars:
Announcing: The Gathering of the Ways, June 17-20, 2010.
Accommodations: We have rented the “Green Energy” Abajo Haven Ranch, Blanding, Utah (Check out their website http://www.abajohaven.com/)
cost for accommodations is estimated at $85 per person for the entire Gathering.
Other things you may want to buy http://www.abajohaven.com/activities/guided-tours
The special BBQ dinner – which makes me hungry just thinking about it- is an extra cost http://www.abajohaven.com/accommodations/abajo-barbecue-dinner. Rooms are also available at the Four Corners Inn -6 miles from the Ranch – in Blanding @ $73 + tax per night.
Itinerary: Time is Indian time and we tend to make it up as we go so…this is all subject to change…
- June 17 (Thursday) Opening Ceremonies – group Talking Stick plus talk by Bill Haven, our host, covering the history of the area and “green living”
- June 18 (Friday) Hike with Bill to see Anasazi ruins and petroglyphs (rock art) find our past…as we blend it into our future
- Evening session with Peter and the 12 Many Friends around the campfire… Plus song-fest for the Crown Pyramid’s awakening
- June 19 (Sat) Locate the Crown Pyramid and prepare for re-powering and connection.
- Evening session – Talking Stick (share experiences) + closing ceremonies
- June 20 (Sunday) Hugs and well wishes, saddle up and leave.
As you can see, there will be time for other adventures. Other attractions available for you to explore in the area: Arches, Canyonlands and other National and State Parks. There should be something for everybody to enjoy!
Check it out at http://www.blandingutah.org/ and http://www.abajohaven.com/activities/more-area-activities
Jan and I will be heading for Farmington, NM for Sunday night, June 20. Next morning, we plan to head for Chaco Canyon to spend the day and do Solstice ceremony, Monday, June 21. It will be a chance to come full circle and feel complete…in a way. You are welcome to join us if you’d like.
Transportation: Many of us will be driving, but if you cannot take the week or two… (Jan and I are planning to take 2 weeks), there is an airport in Blanding. http://www.airnav.com/airport/KBDG
You’ll probably have to fly into Denver, CO or Albuquerque, NM and take a puddle jumper to Blanding. Check it out if this works for you. If you are flying in, let us know and someone will pick you up in Blanding.
We need to know if you are committing to attend as soon as possible and certainly by May 1, 2010. I’ll be passing on more information as it appears.
Questions and suggestions and plans can be sent to me kjshinol@austin.rr.com or Darlene darlenetoth66@yahoo.com
I am so excited, I’ve already started to saddle up my scooter chair — teeheehee.
JOIN US FOR THIS MARVELOUS ADVENTURE IN PERSON AND IF THAT’S NOT POSSIBLE….JOIN US IN SPIRIT!
Love you,
Kay and Jan
