Sunday and Monday adventures :)

Well, Sunday morning was spent trying to go to Zuni Church. However, a Zuni Parade was blocking the streets to the church! So we ended up watching the parade. It was absolutely beautiful--the colors and feathers and furs--just really cool. We weren't allowed to take any pictures (unless we had a permit). There is even a mountain that was so holy to the Zuni people, that white men are not allowed to climb it. Ever. Kind of cool. Then we ate lunch and went to "El Moro." It is BEAUTIFUL. It seemed perfect weather once we got there. Kind of cool and partly cloudy. Professor S told us not to worry--the rain would stay away. As we walked around the base, we saw why it was so famous. There were carvings from Spanish explorers as far back as the 1600s! There were also signatures and statements from American explorers as well. It was amazing as the print was SO neat! My sister will be the first to tell you my handwriting isn't the best, so I was astonished at the stamp-like writings. I have enough trouble on paper, let alone stone :-) We then began our trek up the mountain. Soon however, the impossible happened. Professor S was wrong. A downpour of rain fell on all of us! Most traveled on while a few of us (myself included) huddled under a tree while the storm passed. This took a while, but was worth it. We finished our hike to the top. It was breath taking, especially after a rain. The scent was unforgettable as well. Apparently the mesa top has 200 foot drop-offs....so it made for beautiful views. It was a lot of fun to just climb on things, and look down :-D (Knowing I would terrify my mother...haha) El Moro was definitely beautiful. We didn't just climb up and then climb down either; we climbed up, then continued climbing around the top--it was kind of in a U shape, as we walked around the canyon (which was a beautiful green in the bottom). So beautiful.

This morning, we got a chance to sleep in and enjoy the morning! We left around 12:30 for McGaffey. We drove there and began to hike Strawberry Canyon. Not really sure why it's called that. Professor S said that maybe it was because they grew strawberry's somewhere. Satisfactory answer for now :) It was an easy hike though...we got to a lookout tower where we could take breathtaking views. This was the highest we've ever hiked--I believe it was 8,400'. Uh...The car did most of the hiking although we did hike some!

THEN we went by an Elk FARM. It was the greatest thing ever. The elk were huge--There had to be two fences because apparently the elk can jump over the one, but don't have enough room to jump over two. Simply amazing. On our way there, we saw plenty of cows outside the fences--just randomly in the road or whatever. Rather funny :) As we continued looking at the elk farm, we passed a TEXAS LONGHORN and of course had to stop and take pictures! It was hysterical, actually.

After these adventures, we went back to Rehoboth and were at a Chili "cook-off" at Rehoboth church. This was the first time they did this, but they had a great turn out. So many people brought chili. I'm usually not a fan of chili, but this was GOOD stuff. They also had enough cornbread to feed most of Michigan, let alone Rehoboth :) I met some people who had endless connections to Calvin. It was great to touch base with some of these people.

After this, Andrea and I decided to watch the sun set...but we needed to climb a mountain. So we did. And tried our hardest to get home before dark ;) But that's a story for another time. BUT there are some great pictures! Sorry this post was SO long, but we did a lot in these past two days! School starts for us tomorrow night...Aiding won't start until next week I think, but our classes begin tomorrow. Exciting :)

Here are some pictures of everything! [lots of pictures]
EL MORO:






I can't believe this one above--it looks like it's going to fall off!!!!



This was the view looking across the "U" shape--the green canyon below. :)

STRAWBERRY CANYON



This was the look-out tower at the top.


The trail back down!

WILDLIFE





HAHA IT'S A LONGHORN!!


SUNSETS. BEAUTIFUL.




These are the always present beetles. This is rather small compared to some. SICK.










So how many of you want to move here yet? :) Goodnight all!