with LeRoy
DeJolie
September 9 - 13, 2009
Cost: $2,195
Volunteer Trip Leaders: John Frelich and David Halgrimson
 We’ll start our adventure in Canyon De Chelly, 26 miles of canyons whose red stones rise from 30 to 1,000 feet to provide a spectacular backdrop for picturesque Anasazi ruins, Navajo homes and farmlands. Imagine yourself overlooking this scenic canyon, hearing the song of the wind as it makes it way through the canyon and the sounds of the farms and people drifting up from far below. Travel into the canyon to discover the ancient ruins tucked into the sandstone cliffs.
We'll rise early to capture the scenic landscapes during the sweet light of sunrise and craft beautiful portraits of the Navajo people during the balance of the day. Be there as the magical light appears again at sunset, making the shadows of the ancient monoliths and spires grow longer and the stars appear in the clear skies above. You can absorb the solitude and peace of the surroundings
We'll travel the canyon up the riverbed where ribbons of colorful cottonwood trees follow the sparkling trail of the river. Within the canyon, the fabulous cliff dwellings and petroglyphs will be our focus as we stop at First Ruin, Antelope House, Standing Cow Ruin, White House Ruin and more on a day-long tour.
When viewed from the lookout 1,000 feet up on the canyon rim, you can appreciate the full extent of the dwellings. From the canyon floor you can see the texture of the ancient mud bricks and see how the dwellings tuck securely into the towering sandstone walls.
There will be opportunities to photograph petroglyphs and pictographs carved by early Indians: snakes, lightning bolts, patterns and whorls. Impressions of headless birds, human figures with antennae, antelope, bird-headed men, and palm prints everywhere like ancient choruses of hands, forever etched onto the walls.
At the end of the canyon—looming before you—will be one of the most fabled landmarks in all of Navajo country: Spider Rock, an 800-foot-tall pinnacle erupting from the floor of the canyon. The Navajo say that the great goddess, Spider Woman, lives atop this fantastic spire. LeRoy will share some of the many traditional Navajo stories of Spider Rock, The Canyon and the wonderful Navajo People.
As we wander back we can stop to capture images in the reflective water holes and compose pictures of the amazing patterns and ripples in the windswept dunes. Prepare to be overwhelmed with the contrasts of light color and texture and marvel at the endless dance of light and shadow that play on the sheer canyon walls.You will be inspired by the spiritual quality of this ancient place.
For the remainder of our trip we will venture on to Window Rock and the world-renowned Navajo Nation Fair, where hundreds of Native Americans, dancers and rodeo riders gather each year to celebrate Navajo values, beliefs and pastimes. Enjoy the color of a real Pow Wow, a coming together of elders and children. The fair is alive and vibrant with singing, dancing, livestock and Native American arts and crafts.
Cowboys and cowgirls from eight different Indian rodeo associations throughout North America compete in the legendary all-Indian Rodeo where LeRoy can help you position yourself for the action shot of a lifetime from the "wooly riders" to the Bucking Broncos. The tribal chiefs lead a colorful procession that gives way to energetic round dances and singing to the beat of the drums. The dances are powerful and beautiful. They explode with energy to the thunder of the drums and the songs of the chanters.
As you roam the fairground, LeRoy will help you capture unbelievable portraits and action shots of dancers adorned in buckskin shirts, porcupine-quill hair roaches and eagle feather headdresses. The fair is a visual treat, and LeRoy's expertise in locating and approaching portrait subjects will add greatly to your experience and enjoyment. The beautiful, character-defined faces of the Navajo elders and smiling faces of the children will be hard to resist and will make for some unforgettable photographs.
 
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