Different Geology by junge1
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Description
The geology around the Teec Nos Pos chapter, located on the north side of the Carrizo Mountains is different than any other place we had worked on the reservation. The chapter, and the chapter house, are located about two miles west from the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post at the junction of US highways 64 and 160, close to the Four Corners area.
It was at Teec Nos Pos where we received our first lesson in Navajo culture.
We had made an appointment with a BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs - part of the U.S. Department of the Interior) employee, who happened to also be a Navajo, to meet at 09:00 at the Teec Nos Pos chapter house. When we showed up at the chapter house, it was clear that the word had been put out from their Water Department in Window Rock, that State employees would show up unannounced at various locations of the reservation over the next several months and map their water uses. So nobody was surprised to see us.
09:00 came around, and no BIA employee, 09:30 came around, still no BIA employee, 10:00 came around, still nobody showed up from BIA.
At that time, one of the chapter house employees, they all spoke English since most of them had served a stint in the US military, told us, quote: 'You are on Navajo time now. When he shows up, no matter when that will be, that is 09:00' end quote.
We realized at that time that 'time is not money'. Not for the Navajo. At 10:30 still nobody showed up so we decided to drive the 26 miles to the BIA offices, located at Shiprock, New Mexico.
There, we were told that he (the guy we were supposed to have met at 09:00) had left.
Apparently we went past him on the highway without recognizing the BIA truck. Back at the chapter house we finally met him, no mention was made about the time, and he gave us a map of the irrigation uses for the Teec Nos Pos area which he had generated using his GPS (Global Positioning System) and GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping.
Our instructions were that we will map the Navajo's water uses. So for the following week we essentially mapped everything over again, using our equipment. When we came to the upper end of the irrigated fields from the wash it appeared that everything was done.
Somehow, a sixth sense told us something was afoot, and sure enough, about 100m distant a guy on horseback watched us. He didn't move or didn't say anything.
Turned out he was a shepherd and the sheep were browsing through the chaparral and weren't visible. We talked to him and eventually found out that there were some additional irrigation uses around the bend upstream from our position.
Getting information from a Navajo is like pulling teeth. They are not very talkative, don't volunteer any information, and one is never sure where their English comprehension ends, or how good their English is in the first place. There are no helpful facial expressions that may give a hint.
We worked ourselves further upstream through the brush, and sure enough, there were several small ponds used for irrigation storage and some additional fields. This part of the irrigation had been missed by the BIA employee.
BTW, the Navajo don't observe Daylight Savings Time.
This picture was taken on 21 October 2003,
Sig...,
Comments (33)
MagikUnicorn
Gorgeous POV here and Thanks for the information :)
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
jocko500
wonderful land
auntietk
The rock stack on the left looks like a mythological creature, just waiting to have stories about it told and retold! I'm on "retirement time," which isn't the same as "Navajo time," but I'm getting closer all the time! LOL!
Faemike55
Great image and cool information Thanks for sharing
bmac62
So much more than just a photograph:) The geology in this part of Arizona is fascinating but your story had me spell bound. Well done Sig.
npauling
This really is different terrain from your last and I am intrigued by what you have said about the Navajo. I don't blame them not talking freely.
Richardphotos
just like the builder of the Gibson store in Shiprock contracted with some Navajos to finish the concrete floor addition. the concrete trucks came but no workers.he finished it by his self since the concrete had came from a long distance and he had to pay no matter what. it was a very large area
jayfar
This is a lovely shot right down (or up) to the whispey clouds.
bazza
Great shot and interesting info Sig, would have be so frustrating for you.
renecyberdoc
indeed excellent info.
crunch01
another fantastic shot of some great country, and the info as always very enlightening... hmm I think I see Roy Rodgers peeking from behind that rock!
dakotabluemoon
Very cool capture of this place and great history on it.
debbielove
Blimey Sig!!! Sounds like hard work! lol Both, doing the job in the heat (which you told me about) and, trying to find out some info! lol But have to say, this is a great capture, well taken.. I'll reply to your mail soon mate.. Thanks for writing, I look forward to the aircraft shots of course! lol Take care Rob
UteBigSmile
Dien Fotos sind immer ganz interessant lieber Siggi, à propos deine Mail, eine solche Hitze haben wir am Tag im Moment auch hier, ich halt's nicht mehr aus, zum Glück ist es Nachts merklich kühler, sodass man schlafen kann, je älter ich werde, um so weniger vertrage ich die Hitze!!! Viel Spass auf deiner nächsten Reiseroute, da hast du dir aber mal wieder ein schönes Programm zusammengestellt - Hab' viel Spass dabei und bei allem was du dort erlebst!!!
bebert
gorgeous shot !!
photosynthesis
Cool geological formations & interesting story...
mariogiannecchini
Interesting image and great info !
farmerC
Fantastic shot.
drifterlee
Cool rock formations!!!!
psyoshida
The rocks look like eroded ancient sculptures. How interesting. Can you really blame the Navajo from being so close-mouthed? Frustrating for you though. Wonderful story and shot.
sandra46
SUPERB IMAGE!
bobrgallegos
Great capture of this beautiful landscape and great narrative!!
Alex_Antonov
Amazing!
Minda
excellent POV and great info sig..
ia-du-lin
wonderful wild nature scene, super shot
gaius
Great info and super shot. I didn't see this when I got there.
flavia49
splendid series and picture!! wonderful info
emmecielle
Winderful landscape! Great shot and info! :)
virginiese
Intersting narrative. I've read about Teec Nos Pos and BIA employee in Hillerman's books. I smiled to your reference to Navajo time. These rocks are stunning !