This is the view of the Mesa Verde Mountains with a wheat field in front - this is taken during my nightly walking route, just about ten minutes from the hogan ranch (pictured below).

Almost every minute is scheduled here in the desert...not much time to travel to the main lodge to get an internet connection.

This past week, we have analyzed Pueblo artifacts dating back over a thousand years to recognize time periods, we have started fires (see video) while sitting in a reproduction of a Pueblo pithouse, we have made rope, we have thrown spears, and we have listened to a lecture from the leading archaelogist from the region - a guy with a thirty year resume. Today we will spend a few hours digging at an actual site ("working in the


field" is what we like to say), which is just a few minutes from campus. It's a "Basketmaker III Site" - and this actually means something to me now. Then we will go to a laboratory to learn how to analyze the data.

When you're a teacher, you usually hope and pray that the educational value of your inservice sessions or classes will be quality...I am so relieved to say that they have been extremely thoughtful in the design of this seminar, so that learning builds upon learning. Experiential learning at its best.

And just a short word about the food: the "camp chef" is originally from Ballard and he is fantastic. I can hardly wait to see what he has created for each meal. It may be eggs and hashbrowns smothered with a chile verde sauce or barbecued ham or jambalaya...all accompanied by a huge salad bar every lunch and dinner. Hard to even consider it camp food.

This weekend, a group of us will visit Durango - which, supposedly, has good shopping, food, hot springs - and a good two-stepping cowboy bar. Will keep you posted.

Signing off from Hogan Town~