Dry Creek and Riverview

I added some pictures of people in today's update, as a few people are wondering why there are only landscapes in Colorado...besides I thought you'd all like to see what some of the little devils look like.

Two groups came through Crow Canyon this week, one for a three day program and one for a day and a half program.

Dry Creek Dolphins

At the beginning of the week, I worked with Paul to help teach the students from Dry Creek Elementary (located somewhere near Denver) about the Ancestral Puebloans. The modules were the same as they've been since I got here, except for one nice change: Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling at Mesa Verde National Park was finally open for tourists to see. The park Service closes it down in the winter. They almost didn't open it this year too cause there's a Great Horned Owl roosting in one of the upper windows. The Owl is on the protected species list so there was a fight between the archaeologists and the biologists over what to do. I guess they decided to compromise and see if less tours pissed the little guy off...and if not then I think they're going to add more back in. But the point is I got to see the largest cliff dwelling ever found! Pretty nifty.


Ranger Duff...Our very hyper, possibly insane, but knowledgeable and friendly Ranger Guide


Paul, the educator I was working with and Becky, my mentor at Crow Canyon


Kara, Carly, and Nicole...some of the kids that I worked with


Bergen walking down one of the wider stairwells






Cliff Palace is similar to Spruce Tree House (the pictures I have posted from before) except that it is larger and not so high up on the cliff face. The Park Service was so kind to put in a stairwell down to see it (this stairwell is not for the claustrophobic as it's about one foot wide at some places). There are approximately 150 rooms and I believe 26 kivas and the town probably housed 120-150 citizens year round, but it was considered the Mecca of the area. It is thought that people from the neighboring dwellings and villages came to cliff Palace to socialize or hold ceremonies, etc.

So that was my exciting adventure for the week. The Park Service has also opened up Balcony House. Hopefully I'll get to go on a tour of that cliff dwelling as well before I leave here. Can you believe that I've been here for a month already? Time is really going by fast.

Riverview Elementary

Hailing from Durango, CO (all of 45 minutes from here), Riverview Elementary came for a day and a half visit to lovely Crow Canyon. So we skipped Windows into the Past (the introduction course, which they actually did at their school last week) and completely the other three modules (Simulated Excavation, Basketmaker Lifestyles, and Pueblo Lifestyles). I was working with Lew again, who is great in the co-teaching department, so I got to teach part of every class.

We had a little bit of excitement when one of the kids banged his head on the Pueblo door, effectively causing a gash that required 4 stitches. The ironic thing, was that this kid cam eto Crow Canyon with stitches on the same side of his face. The educators all discussed it and decided that either this kid was just incredibly unlucky or he needs glasses. The moral of the story is that if you're going to go through a door that is raised off the ground and small to begin with, take your baseball cap off so you can see where you're going. The kids fine by the way...so don't worry. :~)

Other

Today I learned that meeting are a complete waste of time. Since all the schools that were here went home at 1 pm, the Research and Education administration decided to call everyone together to discuss the upcoming field season (can't wait it starts in two weeks). We had three items on the agenda and it took 2 hours and 45 minutes to get through them. Besides the huge amount of time wasted, we didn't accomplish anything...or at least nothing that I could discern from people's statements. It was a lot of I think this...but I like it this way...but my way's better....etc. I think the fourth graders that come visit us could get more done in half the time then we accomplished today. Just a side note to everyone that holds meetings...don't stray from your point and keep meetings short, especially if you're going to call them on Friday afternoons when people really just want to go home.

To everyone that is Jewish out there, Happy Passover (I know I'm two days late in saying it, but it's the thought that counts)! Here's to next Wednesday when I can once again eat the yummy brownies that the dining hall serves. :~)

I got my confirmation from Birthright the other week meaning that Em and I are officially headed to Israel in the 6th of June. I found out that my return ticket is void after 3 months so that means I won't be able to do the Kibbutz thing this time around. Maybe I will get back there in the future when I don't have time restrictions. Em and I are planning on touring the Middle East and parts of Africa. Does anyone know anyone in and/or around Israel, Egypt, Jordan, etc... that wouldn't mind some weary travelers crashing at their place for a day or two?

So that is the news of the week. Stay tuned next week (or maybe a little sooner)....same place....same time....same random ramblings.