Ojito Wilderness
Door to the Past
Evangeline Chavez 2010
Peter Pino, Tribal Administrator and ex Governor to Zia Pueblo, took me on a hike to view different aspects of their pueblo land. On a hike to the top of a mountain overlooking Ojitos Wilderness, I saw petroglyphs, or rock carvings, made by past ancestors of the land. We then ventured onto the ledge of the mountain into a cave. We sat at times in silence in the cave to view the beauty that lay before us. On a return trip he stated that he would bring his grandsons to climb the mountain that was in view across from where we sat. He wanted to teach them how to live off the land for a several days, tell them stories, and learn more of their culture. His pride for his grandsons and his land could be seen in his eyes. As I ventured out of the cave for a moment I felt as one with his land.
very cool ,,
wow, now that was interesting and beautiful. How lucky you were to be able to share and experience the land. You are going to have to put a book together someday and give a portion to the people so they can pass on their stories and land to future generations.