“In the variety of its charms and the power of its spell, I know of no place in the world which can compare with it. Not only has it great snow peaks looming above the clouds more than two miles overhead and gigantic precipices of many-coloured granite rising sheer for thousands of feet above the foaming, glistening, roaring rapids, it has also, in striking contrast, orchids and tree ferns, the delectable beauty of luxurious vegetation, and the mysterious witchery of the jungle. One is drawn irresistibly onward by ever-recurring surprises through a deep, winding gorge, turning and twisting past overhanging cliffs of incredible height.”
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Throughout the southwest, Native Americans have left images pecked or painted on canyon walls, caves and large stones. Like so many others, I wonder whether these images represent stories or just graffiti. Were the artists just doodling in their idle time, or were they leaving a message for their friends and posterity?
I am convinced that most of the petroglyphs and pictographs were, in fact, messages and stories. I say this because although there are many recognizable depictions of animals, people, reptiles, etc., that could be just random doodling by bored children or adults to pass the time, there are also many abstract symbols that, like our alphabet, have no likeness in nature and therefore must represent a common concept.
My wife and I lived in Denver, Colorado for many years and occasionally experienced a phenomenon called the “Chinook Wind”. These winds, blowing over the Rocky Mountain Front Range, could actually raise the temperature from below freezing to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in just a few hours. Chinook winds can occur in many areas of western North America and certainly are not unique to Colorado. In fact, the term and the original Chinook winds originated in the northwestern coastal area.
The term “Chinook” comes from the Pacific Coast Chinook tribe that lived along the lower
Imagine being invited to the house of the wealthiest person in town so that he could demonstrate his wealth by giving away expensive and prized gifts. The Native Americans of the Northwest called this a “Potlatch” and it was practiced “religiously” before the Russians, British, and Americans moved in.
“Courageous and strong-willed, he was also a natural diplomat. Traveling numerous times to Washington D.C. to represent the Comanches, he became a familiar figure in Congress. He became a successful farmer and rancher and became a major stockholder in the Quanah, Acme and Pacific Railway. His beautiful two story home, complete with veranda and star emblazoned roof, was built at the foothills of the Wichita Mountains. He had vital interest in educating the young and became president of his local school board. He was appointed presiding judge in the Court of Indian Offenses and numbered statesmen and ambassadors among his friends. In 1905 Quanah rode in Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural parade. In a special report to the President, it was stated of Quanah “If ever Nature stamped a man with the seal of headship, she did it in his case. Quanah would have been a leader and a governor in any circle where fate may have cast him.” [Vincent L. Parker]
Recently, my wife and I drove from our home in southern Colorado through the Panhandle of Texas on our way to San Antonio. As we passed through the little town of Quanah, Texas, I was reminded of its namesake, Quanah Parker, who was one of the last Comanche Chiefs. Having grown up near Quanah, I have heard many stories about the great chief and the Comanche and his story is worthy of retelling.
If you are able to see the southern sky tonight (January), the constellation we call “Orion” is prominent. It is one of the easiest constellations to pick out because of the 3 horizontal bright stars that form Orion, the hunter’s, belt and the three vertical stars that represent his sword. Located on the equatorial, it is visable to all parts of the world in both hemispheres.