Peter McDonald speaks to Historical League tour group

Thanks to Nancy Evans for arranging a surprise visit with Navajo Code Talker Peter McDonald during our bus tour at Navajo National Monument. Peter was very entertaining, telling many stories of his experiences during WWII. As did many of his fellow Code Talkers, he enrolled at a young age. He was 15.

Susie Brinegar with Peter McDonald

He referred to "boot camp was a breeze" since he had lived his youth in the outdoors, sleeping under the stars, walking everywhere.  Of the 420 who served as Code Talkers, there are only 17 remaining.

Journey into Canyon de Chelly

Half of us journeyed into Canyon de Chelly inside the warm cabs of enclosed trucks. The other half rode in an open air truck with plenty of fresh air. Water often flows in the road/river bed, making the trip slow going at times but definitely exciting. Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive as it was deep in places. The knowledgeable guides were very passionate about their history. Oscar, our driver, grew up in this canyon. From a family of five, he told of climbing up a series of ladders (some rope ladders) to get to the top and catch the school bus.



Desert varnish is the name for the markings along the canyon walls. It is made from the rain mixing with manganese and iron oxide.

Canyon de Chelly trip

Traveling into Canyon de Chelly with our guide, David, we saw so many ruins of past civilizations. It was a cold morning in the open air truck and we bundled up, including wrapping blankets around us. Rain in the distance looked ominous but you can tell from our smiles that it was well worth the trip.

Nothing like hot cocoa, a roaring fire and shopping for jewelry and pots at the far reaches of the Canyon. We even had entertainment with singing and music from Oscar, one of our guides.

Carrot Cake - Gluten Free

With so many people concerned about gluten today, here is a recipe for you.

Gluten Free Carrot Cake
Dry ingredients:
¾ cup gluten free flour
½ cup certified gluten free oat flour (subtitute standard gluten free flour)
¼ cup vanilla protein powder (optional)*
¼ cup granulated sweetener of choice (can use stevia baking blend)
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 T cinnamon
Wet ingredients:
1 egg, lightly whisked (substitute a flax egg for vegan)
1 T coconut oil, melted
½ cup Greek yogurt (substitute dairy free yogurt for vegan)
1/4-1/2 cup+ dairy free milk of choice**
Other
2 large carrots, grated
½-1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease a 9 x 9 inch loaf pan (or as my mum does it, in a deep baking dish) generously with oil or butter.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix well. In a small bowl, combine the egg, coconut oil and Greek yogurt and mix until combined.
Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix well. Stir through the grated carrots and chopped walnuts until fully incorporated.
Pour mixture into the greased loaf pan (or baking dish) and bake in the oven for 40- 45 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Test the cake by inserting a skewer or knife in the very centre and ensuring it comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack before slicing

Notes: This carrot cake can be sliced and frozen and simply thawed before consumption
Depending on the flour you use, the mixture may be slightly too crumbly - Add in the dairy free milk if needed until a very thick batter is formed.
Thanks to www.thebigmansworld for the recipe

Fun times at Hubbell Trading Post

Karolee Hess is happy to have a new gardening book.

Katie Tovar enjoys the many items at Hubbell Trading Post. In background, Karen Swanson and Renee Donnelly visit.

As part of the National Parks, Hubbell Trading Post has Michele Obama’s book about White House gardening. A beautifully illustrated hard cover book, it encourages local gardening with the $25 cost donated to a local charity in the form of groceries.

Happy times at Hubbell Trading Post.

Original trading post

Hubbell Trading Post

Hubbell Trading Post, Ganado, AZ

Walking through Hubbell Trading Post on the last day of our bus tour was like walking back in time. Native Americans still come to trade with their rugs, jewelry and intricately painted pots. They take home flour, sugar, canned goods and all the other treasures found in the Trading Post. Centered in the middle of the main room is the pot belly stove. Nancy Knight enjoys the warmth of it. Think of the stories it could tell . . .

Kay Holcombe at the counter

Navajo traders

Karen Overton talking with the artist before purchasing her pot

Rifles line the walls

Carolyn Mendoza, Pat Farr, Pam Stevenson, Nancy Knight admire farm and ranch equipment on the ceiling.

John Lorenzo Hubbell's home in Ganado, AZ

The Hubbell House was opened just for the Historical League group with a personally guided tour by a park ranger. It has remained the same as it was when he lived there with his family. Located behind the Trading Post, it is a snapshot in time to historic Arizona.

In 1878, John Lorenzo Hubbell purchased this trading post, ten years after Navajos were allowed to return to the Ganado region from their U.S. - imposed exile in Bosque Redondo, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. This ended what is known in Navajo history as the "Long Walk of the Navajo." It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
Heavy sandstones from the area were quarried in 1883 to begin construction of this solid building along the southern banks of the Pueblo Colorado Wash. Life at Hubbell Trading Post centered around it. The idea of trading was not new to the Navajos. Native American tribes in the Southwest had traded amongst themselves for centuries. During the four years' internment at Bosque Redondo, Navajos were introduced to many new items (e.g., flour, sugar, coffee, baking powder, canned goods, tobacco, tools, cloth, etc.). When the Anglos came to trade with the Navajos, the difference was in the products exchanged, and in the changes brought about by these exchanges. Traders like Hubbell supplied these items.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the information.

The historic Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona is still a functioning trading post today. It is a National Historic site with Trading Post, barns, shop and Visitor's Center. Hubbell Trading Post hosts two Native American art auctions each year.

Hubbell was a collector of art, encouraging artists to stay at his home (often for months) until they completed their works.

Front porch, now screened in.

Hubbell Trading Post a highlight on our trip

Our bus trip to NE Arizona took us to historic Hubbell Trading Post. Talk about history . . . this place is filled to the brim.
Check out some of the photos on the walls.

Caption: Snake Dance Hualpi Moqui Indian Village Arizona
Aug 21, 1897 by Ben Wittick Paute No 694

Mr Hubbell collected Native American baskets. Originally decoring the walls,
now they are on the ceilings.

Priceless Art, pottery, rugs, baskets, jewelry OR flour and sugar - you will find it here.

The Secret History of America's Spy Planes

Join us on May 24 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at AZ Heritage Center for
The Secret History of America's Spy Planes

Radio/TV Host Steve Kates, aka "Dr. Sky," will take us on an incredible journey into the history of some of America's most guarded secret spy planes of the 1950's, 1960's and beyond; the story of the U-2, A-12 and SR-71 like you have never heard before! Join us for this special two-hour multimedia experience as we penetrate the secret wall of the CIA and other government agencies. Special guests who had an active role in the CIA's A-12 program, as well as Lockheed's SR-71 program, will join by phone/Skype. Fans of aviation history - young and old - will enjoy this program!
Cost: $10; $9.00 AHS members. Book in advance at 480-929-0292. Does not include admission to the museum.