Christina Solstad - Spirit of Chaco Blog

How Do You Say Good Bye? Larry Davis

(Photo: Larry and the three of us [Janette, Christina, Jory] on that first Chaco trip in April 1994.)

Good Bye, Larry

Larry Davis -- my friend, teacher, and the one who introduced me to Chaco Canyon -- has left us. He passed away, peacefully and unexpectedly, on Sunday, December 27.

So how do I say good-bye to a man who showed me so much?

His family says: "His hope was that his legacy would go on within each of us that called him teacher and friend. He loved all of us with such a big heart." 

Biggest Gift

His biggest gift was introducing me to Chaco in April 1994. Larry loved Chaco since he was introduced to its magic some 20 years before. Chaco spoke to something deep within me, and I've been returning ever since. 

Chaco Experiment

I met Larry in 1993. He led a weekly meeting of people interested in personal growth and spirituality.

When he announced a trip to Chaco, I wanted to go. This was to be an experiment to see if taking groups there made sense. Three of us made the trek, a 15-hour drive from Southern California, giddy with excitement.

We camped, the third week in April, in the bitter cold (12 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit). Larry swears it was 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) just the week before. 

Now that I know Chaco and the high desert, he may have been right. Then again, who knows ...?

It snowed on us the first night. We ate soup while sitting in the car to stay warm. We explored and hiked and filled our heads and hearts with Chaco.

We loved it. The experiment was a success. 

Many Introduced to Chaco

Larry continued to take small groups, usually twice a year. I was his assistant on many trips, then continued coming on my own.

Hard to say how many people Larry has introduced to Chaco, and how many are changed as a result. Lots.

Like me. I always go to Chaco with the intent to learn something about myself. And the things I've learned (and relearned)! They are not always easy or pretty, but always valuable.

Thank You, Larry

Larry, thanks for Chaco. And your friendship. And all those I met through you. And all that I learned with your help. And oh, the memories...

Your legacy lives on, in some small way, in me.

I love you, and wish you peace. 

Stop by Chaco any time.

Chaco Winter Solstice: Clear and Cold

Photo: G.B. Cornucopia, Winter Solstice 2004, Pueblo Bonito

Happy Winter Solstice! 

This is the day when the sun appears to stands still (the literal meaning), rising and setting in the same place for several days around this date. The sun's arc is also at its lowest, giving us the least amount of light and warmth. 

This also marks the return to longer days, and more light and warmth from the sun, as the sun's arc in the sky increases.

Since I could not be there in person, I spoke to G.B. Cornucopia, park ranger extraordinaire, and dear friend. The photo is one G.B. sent me from a previous year.

This morning at Chaco was clear and cold (minus 0 degrees Fahrenheit), with 43 hardy souls showing up at Pueblo Bonito before sunrise. They got to watch the sun's beam of light shine through a high corner doorway, and onto the wall. This is the only time it looks like this. 

See how the sunlight in the photo marks a nice square shape on the wall? 

The changing size and shape of the resulting light on the stone wall would have allowed the ancient Chacoans to mark important events, such as the return to longer days. 

Don't you think you would have wanted to mark and celebrate the return of more sunlight! 

I have yet to see this with my own eyes. One day I will! 

I was there one year for solstice, but it snowed, so we could not see the sun. Instead, I experienced another kind of magic. That will be another post!

Are you one of the hardy souls who has had the privilege of seeing this in person? Do comment below and tell us your experience!

Are You Holding Fast to Your Dreams?

This Langston Hughes poem captured my heart long ago.

Hold fast to your dreams,

For if dreams die,

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

It is amazing what we can create when we keep our dreams alive - no matter what "they" think. 

Have you ever let someone take away your dreams? What did you do to get them back?

Are You Listening? Are You Awake?

I love the mystic poet Rumi; his words live across time and space, and always speak to my heart. 

Awake! reminds me to listen, to get up, and to write when I am awakened in the early morning hours.

I'm still learning.

We must be aware and open when inspiration strikes, or when it coyly peeks through the door.

Awake!

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.

Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.

Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill

Where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open

Don't go back to sleep.

    ~ by the mystic poet Rumi

Are you listening?

New National Park Quarters to Feature Chaco in 2012

Congrats to Chaco!

Chaco Canyon is to be featured on the New Mexico quarter for the new national park quarter series. The quarters will highlight one park or site per state or territory.

They will appear in order, based on when the park was established, beginning in 2010, with five parks per year through 2021. Chaco (officially Chaco Culture National Historic Park) was established in 1907, and will appear on a quarter in 2012.

"These new quarters will honor some of our most revered, treasured and beautiful national sites - majestic and historic places located throughout the United States and its territories that truly make us 'America the Beautiful,'" United States Mint Director Ed Moy said. "The designs will help reinvigorate interest in our national parks, forests, fish and wildlife refuges, and other national sites, as well as educate the public about their importance to us and our history."

A PR Newswire article on MarketWatch has the full article, including the quote above.

I wonder what Chaco image will be featured on the quarter - Pueblo Bonito from above, Bonito doors, Fajada Butte ... any ideas?