Jun09
Shiprock
Today I traveled from Farmington, New Mexico into Southeastern Utah.  In Farmingon, Istayed at the Elk’s Lodge and met some very nice “residents” who J. and I decided to go and have “1/2 price burger Monday at the Three Rivers Brewpub. Fortunately (or unfortunately) we each had a $2.00 pint (Shiner Bock for me) and it’s a “tradition” that you get the 2nd drink gratis.
Today was a fill-up with gas/laundry/shopping day, and we got a late start on the road. However, we did stop to see the beautiful “Shiprock.”
Shiprock Peak is the “neck”, or remains of a solidified lava core, of a dormant 40 million year old volcanic pinnacle. It is shaped somewhat like a 19th century Clipper Ship with high trap-dykes running north from Utah and south from the main spire and rising about 1,800 feet above the four-corners New Mexican plain. It’s elevation is 7,178 feet above sea level. It lies about 13 miles southwest of the town of Shiprock, New Mexico, and 6 miles west of Highway 66. It is also visible from Dzil Ná’oodilii (Mountain Around Which Traveling was Done), which is about 40 to 50 miles east of Shiprock peak.
A long time ago the Diné were hard pressed by their enemies. One night their medicine men prayed for their deliverance, having their prayers heard by the Gods. They caused the ground to rise, lifting the Diné, and moved the ground like a great wave into the east away from their enemies. It settled where Shiprock Peak now stands. These Navajos then lived on the top of this new mountain, only coming down to plant their fields and to get water.
For some time all went well. Then one day during a storm, and while the men were working in the fields, the trail up the rock was split off by lightning and only a sheer cliff was left. The women, children, and old men on the top slowly starved to death, leaving their bodies to settle there.
Therefore, because of this legend, the Navajos do not want any one to climb Shiprock Peak for fear of robbing their corpses.
love Shiprock….glad you are on the road……congratulations…..
Hi Cheryl… Ran across an old business card you once sent me… I was talking about you tonight to a friend… She loves Taos, NM and wants to live there….. however she may want to try out Santa Fe as well….. I was telling her how interesting you are with all of your interests, etc. and that you lived near there or somewhere… I can’t even remember… So I thought I’d look up your card again and drop you a line… How are YOU?
Where are you living these days? Oregon? or Utah or NM? perhaps you”re in one of your travel modes again for the summer. If my friend Christine comes out your way in Santa Fe – would love for you two to meet… just an idea…. Busy life here…. working only part time… annual STA camping trip this weekend to Heritage lake west on 70 where Pam & Phil bought a new boat/lake house – Phil retired after 38 years of teaching this month. She’s a grandma now and her youngest just graduated from h.s. Also Judy and Hugh ‘s daughter Olivia just graduated from H.S. too – I worked their party for them – catering… Mary & John’s oldest daughter also just graduated from HS…. so many and how time has flown by…. So write me if you want when you have the time. Would like to hear from you… Jenien still in Indy ! PS coming this way anytime soon?
PPS> my friend is in Taos now for about a month or maybe more – she’s one of my Cleveland H.S. friends…. JJB
Wow, Cheryl!!! Amazing pic! I can count on learning something new everytime I read your posts! Thanks and sounds like you’re having a great time!
A story and picture, too! Hitting the jackpot here. I had never heard the legend of Shiprock…thanks for taking the time to share it.
That’s a beautiful photo. I’m going to put it on my list of places to see when we take our Utah, New Mexico, Arizona road trip in a couple of years. Have fun!
I say go for the second beer!
What a great story. It sounds liek you are having a wonderful time.