CRACKING THE SPECTACULOR MYSTERY OF CHACO

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS SPECTACULOR MYSTERY? I'ts 80 miles 0ut in the desert ---think I'll go out there and let 'my good genius" have a crack at it.

Driving North from Thoreau, NM into Indian country.

Hardly a soul out here.

13 miles to that horizon---so far so good.  I've left my trailer behind because:

I knew this was coming: 20 miles of very iffy road.  They deliberately make getting there difficult to discourage all but those seriously interested in this phenomenon.

And it was indeed iffy---occasionally had to creep along at walking speed.

I'm here---ready to confront the mystery.

That's fajada butte---up there on top is where the famous solstice sun dagger was discovered. On June 21st a dagger of light falls precisely on a target chipped in the rock. (That's the new Visitor center in the plain)

A terrific campground---I'm sleeping in the tent. I wandered around  late at night and met a mysterious guy with an Indian Drum---who told me he was on a spiritual quest and that the moon would be full at 2 am---time for his ceremony.  (turns out, many are here in search of something mystical)

Here is what all the hoopla is about---Pueblo Bonito---the epicenter of a cultural tsunami---as it appeared a thousand years ago.  It is huge--over 500 rooms---and built so well that a fair chunk of it remains. (as you will see)

Me at the outer edge.

A representative chunk of it---- walls smooth on both sides with rubble filling the center----they built 5 or 6 stories high----9 ft ceilings.  So what's the big mystery?  Hang on---I'll tell you!

Is that precise construction or what? The mortar is mud and that is all origional masonry--a thousand years old.  So you're impressed----but not mystified?  Hang on--I'll get to it.  

Aaaah but look here----ANOTHER whopper of a pueblo barely a mile away.

Let's go up on top of the mesa to get some perspective.  See that crack up there--thats how "they" got up there and interestingly---that's still the way up there.  I went---but it was a bit hairy.

And what's up there?  ANOTHER grand pueblo------and just to the right of it--STILL ANOTHER vast complex with a huge plaza in it's center.  There's no water up here to speak of----why in heavens name did they do this?

Here's the pueblo I just mentioned----wanted to show again the superb masonry---corner perfectly square and smoothe after a thousand years.

Now I sit down to let pueblo Bonito speak to me. Luke climbed up the scary trail with me and comes over to get congratulated.

And there it is again---in all its mystery---just one entrance---a massive endeavor in a very unlikely place.  Soil and water are just marginal. It thrived for 300 years---and then the people went elsewhere.

Now brace yourself----THERE ARE 12 OF THESE GREAT HOUSES almost within sight of one another. This is the largest and oldest.  Beginning to get the feel of the mystery: Why did a building frenzy happen here?  Why did the cultural pattern created here spread hundreds of miles in every direction.  They found cocoa from central America here---parrot skeletons---metal goods--and guess what? TWO GIANTS buried down there. (giants in that they towered over the locals)---but nobody else.

I've asked my good genius to digest all this and give me a plausible answer---AND IT HAS---

tomorrow I will spell out the very surprising answer---and its direct relevance to you.

It's near midnight and I'm sleepy.  I leave you with this odd photo of a guy balancing on his hands in some sort of spiritual posture--RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF!  He was one of a dozen here on a pilgrimage seeking ------something!

DISCOVERED: A REAL LIVE KINGDOM OF HOBBIT CASTLES

STORIES REACH ME OF A LAND---- FAR BEYOND GAPING  CANYONS---Where clever "Hobbits" have retreated to live their lives in underground houses--that they build themselves.  A place without power lines--where water and sewer systems are custom built--one by one---a community without stores---where only industrious, creative "Hobbits" dwell.  I will go and see---and take you with me.

I drive across a long flat plain---

through rolling hill country

Across the awesome canyon.

Out there---- in what was considered wasteland----perhaps 200 creative people live---people who dare to do a different thing---who march to a different drummer.  The tires are a clue--what do you think imagination can do with used tires?

Moving closer---I feel the magic  ----many have fantasized doing this---and here it is --for real--people living underground---their lifestyle powered by the sun.

Imagine--designing and living in your own personal castle!

Here's one under construction.  I inquired about the legalities-- Zoning--building codes etc:   Bottom line:  THEY HAVE IT COVERED.  Very bright, determined people fought and won the battle for legitimacy.  New Mexico has strong---blue state thinking---and are innovative in many ways.

Beer cans---secured with concrete.

And they will gladly tell you all about it.  You too could become a "Hobbit" and live in an "Earthship."

Perhaps buying this fixer-upper

DEFINITELY NOT TRASH---RESOURCES.

That's me--Admiring a wall of beer cans---hoping a hobbit will emerge.

AH YES---Here's what I wanted to show you.  Note the tires are stacked in staggered rows--each is filled with dirt (for firmness and insulation ) and secured with concrete. Chickenwire and concrete will result in a smoothe  finished wall.  Often they get the tires free.

A particularly well made one! Can you see the dozen others scattered across the landscape? Note that all face south to catch the winter sun.

 

A Rancho Grande---with scads of solar power---I count 26 panels--each delivering up to 120 watts. Far more than the ordinary household needs.  ( I have 3 of that size on my roof --providing all the power I need---even to run power tools and watch tv etc--And I'm Ok even without sun for 3 days---power is stored in 3 AGM batteries)

Community spirit thrives--I am told---but these special people apparantly appreciate privacy.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  My hat's off to these pioneers in alternative housing.  But I do not believe it is the wave of the future---just some components of it---I believe the spirit shrinks with this much apartness---from urban density---and from community.  I cast my vote for Palo Solari's Arcology--that I visited last year.  A "beehive" community of efficiency and connection.  And of course I cherish my own lifestyle of mobility---and connection with my community of Nomads.

HIGH DRAMA IN DULCE

THE COUNCIL DEBATES: LIQUOR OR NO LIQUOR ON THE RESERVATION!

I previously showed you the Indian town of Dulce, NM---but forgot the most interesting story: The council debate and decision regarding alcohol on the reservation.

Here's what made the debate so interesting:  There is a dangerous 18 mile stretch of mountain road between Dulce and the nearest liquor store---Chama, NM

Just look at all that inebriating stuff---only one of two well stocked aisles.  Are you beginning to get the drift of the problem?  There are a fair number of alcoholic Indians in Dulce who really, really want a drink and so they drove the dangerous road to Chama and too many of them did not make it back---so many---that the council met to consider the problem.  Perhaps improving the road would help! Or persuading the drinkers to become Christian---Or a bus run to Chama---or designated drivers---or a billboard campaign about the dangers of drunk driving.  AND THEN-----AND THEN---one brave soul said: WHY DON'T WE JUST ALLOW ALCOHOL TO BE SOLD HERE IN DULCE?  No doubt a strained silence fell across the room.  PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICALITY clashed! ERADICATE AND ACCOMODATE squared off !  ABSOLUTIST AND RELATIVIST waged war! Guess who won:

The PRACTICAL, RELATIVISTIC, ACCOMODATORS won and now there is a liquor store in Dulce. Drunk driving deaths are down.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  This was a wise decision I think. They opted for HARM REDUCTION--and I hope our government will adopt a similar strategy for marajuana and other drug use. I do not use drugs but millions do --and making them legal would reduce their harm---and our prison population.  

A DAY IN THE LIFE---THE CHALLENGE TO FILL TIME---PART 2

THE DAY IS BARELY HALF OVER----and already our adventure cup is about full---

When in the middle of nowhere we see this imposing building---apparantly abandoned---of course we want the story----and cross some barriers to get here.

Obviously a structure of style and elegance--this was the central room.

And the walls call forth the artistic impulses of a graffitist.

Lucas stares in puzzlement at the wreckage---as do we.

This was instructive: That is a pile of bat manure---- droppings from that crack up top.  I guess bats are always looking for new homes.

We conclude this was a resort lodge---Stone Lake Resort---with lots of large guest rooms----and this is the view of Stone Lake.  We later learned that it has a prominent place in Indian Mythology.  From out of this lake---the story goes---emerged the Jimez tribe.  I wondered if the tribe tells  the story to the young as a myth or as the truth.  I'm suddenly curious how Indian tribes in general present their mythology to the kids---do they really grow up believing all that stuff about humanity emerging from a hole in the ground or a lake etc---about coyote as a  trickster and about Hopi Kachinas being able to make it rain and so forth.  I once asked some Hopi kids if they believed that Kachinas really lived in the San Francisco peaks near Flagstaff.  They said yes---of course! My mother and community "laid a myth" on me and I was 27 before I was able to shake it.  

But I digress----continuing on I saw about a hundred of these curious structures scattered across a huge meadow.  I just gotta know why.

Saw this guy working on one----stopped and asked---aaahh what a story---prepare yourself.

Meet Mr. Wainright, a very friendly and informed Jacarilla Apache Indian. The thing he is building is a family shelter and dining place for an upcoming celebration called Harvest feast. All Jacarillas will come to this meadow on September 15th ---and cluster in family groups AND in CLANS.  There are two Jacarilla clans--the RED----descendents of a mountain tribe  and the WHITE---descendents of a plains tribe.  They all gather on this day primarily to say thanks to the creator for the plants and animals that sustain them AND to engage in a ceremonial foot race.  Afterwards, they paint themselves and gather in a grand council to pray and bond and recount their history.

I quiz him further--taking notes:  There are about 3,600 Jacarilla total---most live in the City of Dulce.

Their reservation is huge---about 50 miles by 25 miles (perhaps overgenerous as reservations go) Larger tribes have much smaller areas) He explained that the Stone Lake Lodge was a gift from the OEO (office of economic opportunity) and that when it failed, their shaman investigated and determined that it was because it was built on rattlesnake ground.  

We moved on to the city of Dulce---Walked around.

Has a GREAT super market---a spectacular mural covers three walls.

Then we left the reservation---driving back to Chama---been a great day!

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  This is what I did with my freedom---on this day.  What would you do with yours?  I hope to illustrate for my readers that deep freedom is possible and to share with them my particular slant on filling time. (generating meaning) I'm open to suggestions on WHAT---REALLY---IS WORTH DOING.

Happy Birthday, Business Computing

September 5, 2011

On this date sixty years ago, September 5 1951, the world's first business computing program was first tested on the world's first business computer, the Lyons Electronic Office (link).

LEO was inspired by wartime computers that calculated things like artillery aiming tables for the military.  Lyons was a massive restaurant chain in the UK, and realized that the new digital computers could simplify its human-driven accounting operations.  So it built its own computer, consisting of 21 racks with 6,000 vacuum tubes and occupying about 5,000 square feet.  The company's first use of LEO was to calculate the cost of all the baked goods produced by its 12 bakeries (link).

From that humble beginning...wait, that wasn't a humble beginning at all, it was a very cool beginning.  The first use of a business computer was to solve a real-world problem faster and more accurately than people could do it on their own.  That's exactly what you're supposed to do with computers.  LEO was quickly adapted to other tasks, where it achieved impressive results.  For example, it cut the time needed to calculate an employee paycheck from eight minutes to 1.5 seconds.

It's hard to believe that many people believed for years that computers didn't increase business productivity (link).

From that very auspicious start grew most of the computing industry we know today (link).  So take a moment to contemplate that dinner roll or slice of pie you eat today, and say a quiet thank-you to David Caminer, John Pinkerton (link), and the other pioneers who got it all started sixty years ago today.



More about Lyons
More about LEO

A DAY IN THE LIFE---THE CHALLENGE TO FILL TIME ..........

WITH INTEREST:  In a nutshell, that is the challenge of freedom:  Vast landscapes of days that must be filled-----by intention or inattention (the default setting).  Here is a fairly typical day of mine---so filled with events that two blog entries will be needed to cover the highlights.

After coffee, I go for a walk with 4 of my friends, one of which is Luke. It has rained and the mud cakes up on his paws.  He stops and raises the affected limb----fully expecting "mamma" to fix the problem.  And she does ---dependably ---It's touching to see such trusting confidence. 

 

This desert toad surprised us, leaping right out of the ground where he had been buried indefinitely waiting for a rain such as last night.  He or she will hurriedly mate, eat, lay eggs and rebury itself in the mud.

We engage these friendly ladies, drying their bed wear. They are part of a  singing group specializing in Latvian songs.  I ask for a sample----and they provide it---a strange but lovely song.  We applauded heartily.  I love to stimulate moments like this.

After breakfast we assemble at cliffside to watch our friend Brad make a 50 ft leap into the lake. He swam out unharmed.

Then, on a whim, a companion and I decide to tour the nearby Indian reservation.  It's just across this dry lake bed.

They are meticulous in marking their territory.

Delapidated ruins always attract me.  I marvel that a family would settle in so remote a location. We walk the area and surmise it was a ranch house crushed by snow.

Long ago, someone looked out this window at their slice of heaven.

We search around, locating the well, septic, etc---piecing the story together.

Further in, we see this deceased oil well.

And go deeper into Indian country---speeding across muddy spots like this.

We're struck by this genetic anomaly---an all black cow with an all white calf.  Surely a result of bovine miscegenation.

Then we find a better road and follow it----for many miles---seeing no one.  AND THEN-----AND THEN---We saw someone and something very interesting.  Which I will report tomorrow.  This is long enough for a single blog entry.  I leave you with one of my poems giving a very good reason to leave the familiar.

Walk a New Street

Walk a street that’s new to you;

Notice what happens in your head.

Pulses of pleasure are released

Like bubbles in rising bread.

Now some scientist has proven what

RVers knew was true:

Travelers feel a surge of joy

Experiencing something new.

Endorphins are released, it seems,

When we see novelty,

Natural pleasure chemicals

In the brain of you and me.

So now we know how to make ourselves happy:

Go do something new.

To generate fun just walk some “un”

Familiar avenue.

Thanks to the research of James Austin

(Zen and the Brain,

MIT Press, Cambridge, 1998, p. 219)