Here are some of our favorite
actual & cyber-places to visit!

ACOMA: Known as the "Sky City" and famous for its potters, this pueblo claims to be the oldest continually inhabited city in North America. There is a wonderful mission there and incredible views from the mesa top. On the way to Zuni, west of Albuquerque. "ZUNI" is the Acoman word for the Shiwi people.

AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS MAGAZINE: For more than 30 years, American Indian Art Magazine has been the premier magazine devoted exclusively to the great variety of American Indian art. This beautifully illustrated quarterly features articles by leading experts, the latest information on current auction results, publications, legal issues, museum and gallery exhibitions and events.

ASHIWI.ORG: This is the official site of the Pueblo of Zuni. It has some informative links but is primarily for tribal use.

AZTEC RUINS: Located in the town of Aztec, NM, this ruin was erroneously named for the Aztec Indians who were believed to be the constructors of this large city. Seems strange to see a ruin in the middle of a town - but there it is ! Location of the only fully restored great kiva. Amazing to sit inside and think of all those who have been there before you, and of all the ceremonial events that those walls have witnessed.

CANYON DE CHELLY: Gorgeous confluence of several canyons now within the Navajo nation but a treasure trove of Anasazi sites. A Navajo guide is required for travel in the canyon itself, but wonderful photo opportunities are just a canyon rim away. Spend the day and travel the roads along either side - you'll be amazed at the number of ruins concentrated here - and at their dizzing heights!

CHACO CANYON: One of my favorite places on the planet. Truly amazing site in the middle of nowhere. The fact that these ruins are still standing - the number of them - the SIZE of them - the sophistication of the people who built them - all make Chaco one of those places you must go to if you are fascinated by publeoan culture. Yes, the dirt roads are long and bumpy. But once there you'll be very glad it isn't like Disneyland. Take water and snacks - there are no fast food joints for MILES!

CHUCK PYLE: Want wisdom, humor, supremely fine guitar pickin', lyrics as deep as a Colorado canyon all rolled up in a cowboy hat sweetened with the kindest eyes and a Texas-sized grin? Ya'll pay Chuck a visit and tell him we sent ya, ya hear?

CIMARRON ROSE BED & BREAKFAST: I am not a 'tea and crumpets' person, so the idea of most bed and breakfasts does not appeal to me. I like rustic atmosphere, privacy and nature. We found Sheri, while visiting Zuni for Sha'lak'o in 2000. And when beds were scarce ... Sheri graciously allowed Ashley and I to stay at her CIMARRON ROSE BED & BREAKFAST. It was truly a delightful experience. Her suites are large and rustic, her food is plentiful and delicious, the bookshelves are FULL of books we share in common, the birds sing, the cat meows and the horses whinny a greeting to you.

Tucked in the fragrant pines of the Zuni Mountains, you'll find warm hospitality, plenty of privacy and NO TEA AND CRUMPETS! (Well, maybe, if you request them!) Sheri McWethy is a naturalist by nature and horsewoman at heart who has worked with the Bureau of Land Management in the El Malpais National Conservation Area. She has also worked with the National Park Service and National Forest Service in many places, including the "backyard" of her Inn, "Cimarron Rose" as a Fire Look-out on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District's Cibola National Forest. She is a devoted conservationist and utilizes rain water and snow melt collected by roof run-off. Drinking water is provided by a nearby well, but all other water is provided by her filtered cistern collection system. Sheri's Inn is named for her horse, "Cimarron" (Spanish for wild & untamed) whom she caught as a wild colt in 1987.I heartily recommend staying with Sheri if ever you venture to explore Zuni Pueblo or the area near Grants or Gallup.

GEORGE MOLNAR: We don't know George or Marcia Molnar personally but they are among our very favorite artists. We recently visited Scottsdale specifically so Darlene could go to Legacy Contemporary Gallery and see one of (any of!) George's paintings up close and personal. They are exquisite! The light, the life and the boundless respect the artist feels for his subjects, it's all in there. Don't miss!

EL MORRO NATIONAL MONUMENT: This huge monolith of sandstone was a stop over for all travelers from the Spanish to the calvary and the builders of the railroad. There is also an ancestral Zuni site with the ruin "At:sinna" on top. The cool shady spring at the base of the rock made it a natural stopping point for all travelers and alot of them left their signatures. (but don't YOU try it...!) There are also petroglyphs and an incredible view from the (huff, puff) top.

HOVENWEEP: Hovenweep is another of those magical, ancient places at the end of a long, lonely road (this one is paved!). The ruins of Hovenweep are different in style and construction from those at Chaco. Dave and I spent about ten minutes here several years ago. We'd have liked to have stayed longer but we happened to arrive, ignorant of the whole event, during the huge manhunt of the three outlaws who killed a policeman and shot at the park superintendant here. I'd like to go back when everybody within 500 miles is not wearing fatigues and carrying rifles!

KEET SEEL & BETATAKIN: Keet Seel and Betatakin are two of the three most intact cliff dwellings located within the Navajo National Monument. The bad news is that you have to register for the guided trips weeks, often months, in advance. Dave and I hate being herded along a crowded trail and much prefer being able to explore on our own. So we haven't seen either of these dwellings up close and personal. There is a nice visitor center and a short rim trail that doesn't require a ranger guide.

MARCIA MOLNAR: We don't know George or Marcia Molnar personally but they are among our very favorite artists. Marcia loves to paint all the things we love: the universe within a rose, cattle, kittens, gorgeous skyscapes and lots of other things.

One of the many things we enjoy about her work is that she doesn't paint within the confines of any category -- she paints what she loves. What could be better? Marcia is also represented by Legacy Contemporary Gallery.

MONUMENT VALLEY: Our trip to Monument Valley was ... an experience ... Don't get me wrong, the vistas are every bit as magnificent and HUGE as they appear on all the old cowboy movies we grew up watching on Saturday mornings. But, here again, you either hire a guide or you pay to drive thru the valley behind dozens (more?) of other touristos, many of whom are in a race to get the best photo ops at the next stop in the valley. Beautiful place...but too crowded for my personal taste.

NATIVE PEOPLES MAGAZINE: In the fall of 1987, Native Peoples magazine was founded as a benefit of membership for The Heard Museum. It was a slick, colorful 32-page quarterly journal of strong visuals and accurate, erudite prose dedicated to sensitively portraying the arts and lifeways of Native Americans.

It is now published six times a year and while its focus remains on the arts, culture and lifeways of the Native peoples of the Americas, it also reports on topics related to business, health, education, politics, sports, travel in “Indian Country”, the environment, food, language, history and other subjects associated with Native American life past and present.

PAINTED DESERT: The day we spent roaming thru this place was pretty wonderful. First we encountered several pronghorn antelope along the of side the road who weren't the least bit camera shy. Then, this magnificent thunderstorm came barreling at us from miles across the open desert and nearly blew us away! The bad news is that it arrived just as we got to the spot in the park where the most logs are laying around. The blowing sand nearly removed hide from our faces and paint from the truck!

The down side of this park is that (like many) you have to view the petroglyphs from behind fences or hundreds of feet away. It's unfortunate that the few wickedly destructive individuals who have vandalized these sites have ruined the opportunity for the rest of us to see these glyphs up close.

THE INN AT HALONA: When you visit Zuni Pueblo, you must stay at this wonderful in located in the heart of the village. Roger and Elaine Thomas are superb hosts and their staff is excellent. The hospitality is warm, the rooms are comfortable and colorful, each decorated with art from the community of artisans, and the food is delicious and plentiful! There is a large, wonderful patio area and second level well-shaded deck. You may not want to leave the compound, but if you do venture out, Roger and Elaine are most generous with their knowledge of the People and the Place. Truly an oasis in the desert southwest and one of the reasons we keep going back!

THE ROCK ART FOUNDATION: My interest in puebloan people and their art began long before my first trip westward...it was actually started by my interest in rock art. Texas has a rich legacy left by the "Pecos People" and this site is dedicated to the preservation of and education about the wonderful ancient art tucked secretively in the limestone canyons in and around the Pecos River in West Texas.

VALLEY OF THE GODS B & B: We were fortunate enough to stay here, in the rock root cellar (!) and had a wonderful time. The view from the back door of the cellar will leave you in awe. This historic stone ranch-house (solar and wind powered!) overlooks the magnificent "Valley of the Gods" and is the only home within the 360,000 acre Cedar Mesa Cultural and Recreational Management Area.

VIRGO MOON: Our friend Mary's beautiful website displaying her one-of-a-kind beaded treasures. Many of her gallery quality necklaces feature Zuni fetishes treated with the utmost care and respect. Visit her today and prepare to be amazed!