Today, six members of our class went to Canyon de Chelly for a half-day tour. The weather was perfect and we had a great time guided by David Benally, who has been taking people through the canyon for 29 years. You can see David pointing out some of the features of the canyon below.

Thunderbird Lodge guide David Benally in Canyon de Chelly.

The canyon is a wonderland of rock formations, rock art and Anasazi ruins that is also the summer home of many Navajo people.  Some of the rock art depicts the canyon’s history through the eyes of the early Navajo inhabitants.  You can see a close-up of the Spanish mural below.  This mural depicts the arrival of Spanish soldiers who would massacre many of the Navajos living in the Canyon in the early 1800’s.

The Spanish Mural in Canyon de Chelly was painted by Navajo inhabitants and is thought to depict the arrival of Spanish soldiers who would massacre many Navajos.

We drove back to WIndow Rock via the north rim of the canyon and arrived back in Window Rock at about 4 PM.  Diane Craig and Mary Falzone, who had stayed in Window Rock with Jennie Slick have been working hard and we found them well into the last third of the their weaving.  Below, you’ll see Mary’s piece in the late afternoon.

Mary Falzone's weaving was moving into it's last third this evening.

Diane Craig is working on her last half inch of weaving and will probably complete her rug tomorrow, which is a record for our classes.  She was inspired by a Nellie Glasses handspun rug and is planning to use the completed project as a pillow cover.

Diane Craig works on the last two inches of her weaving.

Jennie Slick is also finishing a small weaving on her portable loom and you can see her below with Cheryl Griffin.

Jennie Slick (left) is also finishing a piece on her C-Cactusflower loom. Cheryl Griffin works on her loom at right.

You’ll see pictures of the completed weavings tomorrow!