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Another amazing day in the Southwest. We woke early, checked out of
our Moab hotel, packed up the car, and drove north out of Moab to
Canyonlands National Park. The weather was sunny, dry, and brisk. We
wound our way into the park, gaining altitude and driving onto a mesa
known as Island in the Sky. After an hour or so we reached the end of
the road at the Grand View, a scenic area that looks out onto and into
massive canyons on three sides. We arrived just in time for the Park
Ranger's 11:30 lecture and had him to ourselves. He told us about
John Wesley Powell's explorations along the Colorado River 2,000 feet
below us, and also some colorful anecdotes about Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid robbing banks and fleeing through the area to a hideout
known as Robber's Roost. He also told us about the legend of Dead
Horse Point. The boys scrabbled onto the rocks, staying a safe
distance from the precarious drops, and had time for a short hike and
lunch before we drove back to the visitor's center, where we all had a
quite a surprise. But first, a bit of background. While preparing
for our trip the first week of M-term back in East Hampton, we watched
a series of National Park videos about the Moab area and Canyonlands
National Park. These podcasts were all hosted by a woman Park Ranger
named Karen Hanker. Each time, we downloaded a new podcast, the boys
would greet her -- "Hey it's Karen again. How you doing, Karen?"
Well, as we drove into the park this morning, the gang commented that
it would be funny to see ole Karen Hanker, and as we talked, the
legend of Karen Hanker grew, to the point that Hank even composed a
song, a Moab version of "This Land is Your Land," which contained a
line about Karen Hanker. So on our way out of the park, we decided
to stop at the visitor's center. Michelle and Max went in before the
rest of us, and as Michelle came out a couple of the boys asked her if
there was a woman ranger inside and she said yes. We found Max just
inside the door, and he said to us in an urgent whisper, "That woman
has a name tag that says 'Karen.'" The rest of us stood and looked at
the ranger behind the desk, until finally we realized it was indeed
THE Karen Hanker. Several of us cautiously approached, then Hank
walked up, said Hello, and told her she was in a song he had just
composed, whereupon Hank sang for her his Moab/Karen Hanker "This Land
is Your Land." We then told her the whole story of how we became
Karen Hanker fans, and she was quite flattered. The photo below is
proof that this all actually happened. Afterward, we drove through
the incredible Utah landscape -- from red rock dessert back into and
through snow covered mountains, and on to Salt Lake City. We're due
to arrive at 10:20 PM tomorrow (Wed) night.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Rock Art -- Natural and Man made
First thing today, we went to hike the Delicate Arch trail in Arches
National Park. On the way we saw the Wolfe Ranch, made by a man from
northern Utah. Next along the trail to Delicate Arch, we saw a Ute
Indian Petroglyph with pictures of animals and hunters. Of all the
rock art we would see (more to come), this was of the most recent
period, done a hundred or two hundred years ago. The trail soon
became slickrock and after another 30 minutes or so of ascending, we
reached the edge of a cliff. It was really windy, with gusts up to
sixty miles an hour, but the arch at the end of the trail was
awesome. We hiked back down, finding a less windy place to eat
lunch, returned to our cars, and drove farther into the park to the
trailhead for Landscape Arch. This is widely considered the longest
arch in the world, at over 290 feet. At its thinnest point it is only
6 feet thick. It was 11 feet thick, but a huge chunk cracked off and
fell in 1995. Since then, the path that led under the arch has been
closed. We hiked back into a strong, sand-blowing wind and drove out
of the park and along a couple of roads that wound along the Colorado
river in search of more petroglyphs. We found several that were
extensive and detailed. The first panel was from the "Formative"
period, from A.D. 1 -- A.D. 1250, and was from either the Anasazi or
Fremont people -- both of whom were Ancestral Puebloans. We continued
up the canyon until we came to a sight with another rock art panel and
also a set of dinosaur tracks. These were from an allosaurus in the
Jurassic period 150 million years ago. Next, we drove along a road on
the other side of the Colorado river until we came to a sight with a
large panel of petroglyphs from both the Archaic and Formative
periods. The archaic period goes back all the way to 12,000 B.C. All
the petroglyphs, along with our hikes, made the entire day a lot of
fun. We some day hope to return.
--Christian and Jack (with editing from teachers)
National Park. On the way we saw the Wolfe Ranch, made by a man from
northern Utah. Next along the trail to Delicate Arch, we saw a Ute
Indian Petroglyph with pictures of animals and hunters. Of all the
rock art we would see (more to come), this was of the most recent
period, done a hundred or two hundred years ago. The trail soon
became slickrock and after another 30 minutes or so of ascending, we
reached the edge of a cliff. It was really windy, with gusts up to
sixty miles an hour, but the arch at the end of the trail was
awesome. We hiked back down, finding a less windy place to eat
lunch, returned to our cars, and drove farther into the park to the
trailhead for Landscape Arch. This is widely considered the longest
arch in the world, at over 290 feet. At its thinnest point it is only
6 feet thick. It was 11 feet thick, but a huge chunk cracked off and
fell in 1995. Since then, the path that led under the arch has been
closed. We hiked back into a strong, sand-blowing wind and drove out
of the park and along a couple of roads that wound along the Colorado
river in search of more petroglyphs. We found several that were
extensive and detailed. The first panel was from the "Formative"
period, from A.D. 1 -- A.D. 1250, and was from either the Anasazi or
Fremont people -- both of whom were Ancestral Puebloans. We continued
up the canyon until we came to a sight with another rock art panel and
also a set of dinosaur tracks. These were from an allosaurus in the
Jurassic period 150 million years ago. Next, we drove along a road on
the other side of the Colorado river until we came to a sight with a
large panel of petroglyphs from both the Archaic and Formative
periods. The archaic period goes back all the way to 12,000 B.C. All
the petroglyphs, along with our hikes, made the entire day a lot of
fun. We some day hope to return.
--Christian and Jack (with editing from teachers)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
What goes up....
This morning we met up with 3 tour guides from Magpie Adventures who
drove us to the Klondike Bluffs Trail. They gave us a quick lesson on
technique, then gave each of us an amazing, top-of-the-line bike. The
trip up to the edge of Arches National Park was rather difficult. The
climb consisted of mostly slickrock and sand. After we got to the
end of the trail, we took a short hike to the top of a butte. The
view was amazing and we were able to see the snow-capped La Salle
Mountains and all the red rock canyons. Our tour guide, Mike, was not
only an extremely experienced biker, but also very knowledgeable about
the local geology and landscape. He taught us about how oceans formed
and evaporated 29 different times to leave salt deposits that formed
the mesas and buttes of Utah's famous national parks. The ride back
was highly anticipated as now we were riding back down the mountain.
It was an extremely bumpy ride, but we all enjoyed it. Overall, we
had a wonderful day, capped off by some amazing Mexican cuisine in
Moab.
drove us to the Klondike Bluffs Trail. They gave us a quick lesson on
technique, then gave each of us an amazing, top-of-the-line bike. The
trip up to the edge of Arches National Park was rather difficult. The
climb consisted of mostly slickrock and sand. After we got to the
end of the trail, we took a short hike to the top of a butte. The
view was amazing and we were able to see the snow-capped La Salle
Mountains and all the red rock canyons. Our tour guide, Mike, was not
only an extremely experienced biker, but also very knowledgeable about
the local geology and landscape. He taught us about how oceans formed
and evaporated 29 different times to leave salt deposits that formed
the mesas and buttes of Utah's famous national parks. The ride back
was highly anticipated as now we were riding back down the mountain.
It was an extremely bumpy ride, but we all enjoyed it. Overall, we
had a wonderful day, capped off by some amazing Mexican cuisine in
Moab.
Morning in Moab
The trip from Park City to Moab was spectacular as we wound our way
down through the Wasatch and continued south into the dessert, the
boys pointing out the buttes and mesas and debating which was which.
It was dark when we arrived in Moab, but everyone woke up this morning
surrounded by redrock canyons and mesas, and in the distance the snow
covered La Salle mountains. Because I pulled a calf muscle skiing, I
did not join them on today's mountain biking trip. But Michelle did,
along with the three guides from Magpie Adventures, a delightful
husband and wife biking company that is extremely knowledgeable about
biking as well as local cultural history and geology. Expect to hear
from a couple of riders later today.
down through the Wasatch and continued south into the dessert, the
boys pointing out the buttes and mesas and debating which was which.
It was dark when we arrived in Moab, but everyone woke up this morning
surrounded by redrock canyons and mesas, and in the distance the snow
covered La Salle mountains. Because I pulled a calf muscle skiing, I
did not join them on today's mountain biking trip. But Michelle did,
along with the three guides from Magpie Adventures, a delightful
husband and wife biking company that is extremely knowledgeable about
biking as well as local cultural history and geology. Expect to hear
from a couple of riders later today.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday Report
Today's conditions for skiing were great. After yesterday's powder
was groomed, we were able to ride smoother and faster. Snow was
falling throughout the day which left us with very low visibility.
Everyone has gained a lot of confidence from the previous couple of
days and decided to try out some more challenging terrain. We did,
however, have one mishap. One of our members, Dylan, fell hard and
broke his wrist. His wrist should be fine, but he'll be cutting the
trip short and flying home with his dad tomorrow. The rest of us are
hoping for a quick recovery. The mountains here are covered with
Pines and Aspens and make for great scenery. Skiing through them is a
lot of fun, especially when Hank uses his helmet cam. This was our
last full day of skiing here, and it was a blast (tomorrow we will ski
until early afternoon). We are excited to go to Moab next and visit
the national parks and, perhaps, see some of the ruins or cliff
dwellings of the Anasazi people.
-- Matt and Max
was groomed, we were able to ride smoother and faster. Snow was
falling throughout the day which left us with very low visibility.
Everyone has gained a lot of confidence from the previous couple of
days and decided to try out some more challenging terrain. We did,
however, have one mishap. One of our members, Dylan, fell hard and
broke his wrist. His wrist should be fine, but he'll be cutting the
trip short and flying home with his dad tomorrow. The rest of us are
hoping for a quick recovery. The mountains here are covered with
Pines and Aspens and make for great scenery. Skiing through them is a
lot of fun, especially when Hank uses his helmet cam. This was our
last full day of skiing here, and it was a blast (tomorrow we will ski
until early afternoon). We are excited to go to Moab next and visit
the national parks and, perhaps, see some of the ruins or cliff
dwellings of the Anasazi people.
-- Matt and Max
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Thursday Tracks
Couldn't have asked for a better day on the slopes. After a 10 inch
snowfall last night, the trails were powdery and magnificent. Both
skiers and boarders had a blast carving and racing down the mountain.
While some tracked down fast-paced slope, others enjoyed the day
lifting off jumps and grinding on rails. Last week, while we watched
the weather for Park City vigilantly, the forecast showed rainy days.
Park City has had the worst weather conditions (by western standards)
for the past 3 weeks, but we lucked out for our trip. 10 inches last
night and more to come in the upcoming days. Utah is known for its
amazing snow and we easterners are getting a good taste of it. There
is nothing quite like rushing down a snow packed mountain while
breathing in the fresh southwestern air. All is good out here in
Utah. Wishing the same to everyone else.
-- Spencer and Cole
snowfall last night, the trails were powdery and magnificent. Both
skiers and boarders had a blast carving and racing down the mountain.
While some tracked down fast-paced slope, others enjoyed the day
lifting off jumps and grinding on rails. Last week, while we watched
the weather for Park City vigilantly, the forecast showed rainy days.
Park City has had the worst weather conditions (by western standards)
for the past 3 weeks, but we lucked out for our trip. 10 inches last
night and more to come in the upcoming days. Utah is known for its
amazing snow and we easterners are getting a good taste of it. There
is nothing quite like rushing down a snow packed mountain while
breathing in the fresh southwestern air. All is good out here in
Utah. Wishing the same to everyone else.
-- Spencer and Cole
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Skiing and Riding in Park City
After finally reaching The Canyons late Tuesday night, we rolled out onto the slopes Wednesday morning. Despite the less than ideal conditions (the temperature here in Park City has been above freezing for the past two weeks), the terrain was challenging and rewarding, and the views incredible. Afterward, the boys even spotted a Kokopelli figure in a storefront window (Kokopelli is a a Native American fertility god with a distinctive Anasazi shape, and is mentioned many times in the novel, Thief of Time, we are reading). In the evening, after dinner, the gang spent time reading and journaling, then gathered for discussion and homemade chocolate chip cookies in Michelle's room. It is snowing outside as I write this, softening the slopes for tomorrow. Tomorrow you will begin hearing from the boys themselves.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Week One
Our first week of the American Southwest M-term was very dificult, but
also fun and educational. We did a lot of very challenging mountain
biking around the school, in Sag Harbor and in Montauk. The most
challenging day was probably in Sag Harbor. It was outrageously bumpy
and sandy. On Wednesday we took a hike in Montauk to see the seals and
they were fat! We read about them and learned a lot. We also read
during the week. We started reading a book called Thief Of Time. It is
a mystery that takes place in Navajo land in Utah. It is a very
interesting and fun book to read. The group also read short chapters
from two other books with writers that had opposite writing styles.
The first was a chapter from Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, a book
about the harsh unforgiving landscape of Utah. The other was an
introduction to a book about the clashing of two cultures, Navajo and
Mormon which also takes place in the American Southwest. Can't wait
to go to Utah! -Matt Rice
also fun and educational. We did a lot of very challenging mountain
biking around the school, in Sag Harbor and in Montauk. The most
challenging day was probably in Sag Harbor. It was outrageously bumpy
and sandy. On Wednesday we took a hike in Montauk to see the seals and
they were fat! We read about them and learned a lot. We also read
during the week. We started reading a book called Thief Of Time. It is
a mystery that takes place in Navajo land in Utah. It is a very
interesting and fun book to read. The group also read short chapters
from two other books with writers that had opposite writing styles.
The first was a chapter from Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, a book
about the harsh unforgiving landscape of Utah. The other was an
introduction to a book about the clashing of two cultures, Navajo and
Mormon which also takes place in the American Southwest. Can't wait
to go to Utah! -Matt Rice
Friday, February 27, 2009
See you Monday morning
Well, that wraps up our first week. Get the boys rested up for a big
day Monday and four days of skiing/riding in what looks at the moment
to be spring conditions. The bummer is we may not experience Utah's
famous powder, but the good news is we may be skiing in fleeces and
not have to battle the cold. Please be sure to get your equipment
rentals taken care of. And don't forget novels, journals, cameras,
swim suits, and board games. See you Monday bright and early.
day Monday and four days of skiing/riding in what looks at the moment
to be spring conditions. The bummer is we may not experience Utah's
famous powder, but the good news is we may be skiing in fleeces and
not have to battle the cold. Please be sure to get your equipment
rentals taken care of. And don't forget novels, journals, cameras,
swim suits, and board games. See you Monday bright and early.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Hither Woods, Montauk
Today, we biked through the largest tract of preserved land on the South Fork of Long Island, Hither Woods, Montauk. We started out at Walking Dunes on Napeague Harbor and wound our way along the Stephen Talkhouse Path, which runs along Napeague Bay and which is named for the Montaukett Native American that was known for his daily 25 -50 mile round-trip walks from Montauk to East Hampton. The trail was hilly, narrow, rocky, sandy, and windy -- in short, a great challenge and a lot of fun. All ten boys, along with our three intrepid faculty members, rode hard and looked out for one another. Friday looks to be a lighter day, as we prepare a bit more for our trip out west and continue our discussion of Thief of Time, a book the boys are getting a lot out of so far. This will likely be the last blog before we leave on Monday morning. Remember to rent ski/snowboard equipment in advance if you can.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Southwest Wednesday
Today we left the bikes in the rack and headed out to Montauk to visit the seals, timing our visit with low tide to increase our chances of seeing the flubbery fellows. We found them resting on the glacial erratics, read the placards about their migrations patterns, dusted off the two boys that took spills (yes, two actually FELL DOWN while hiking the gentle trail), and drove back to school in time for a delicious late lunch. Tomorrow, a longer bike ride, also in Montauk, is planned. Tonight, the boys continue their journaling and begin reading Thief of Time, a Tony Hillerman novel set in Navajo country (where we'll be next week) that deals with the uneasy interaction of white and American indian cultures.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Week One in and around Campus
After our first two days biking the trails around Ross and Sag Harbor,
our legs and butts are a bit sore, but our spirits are high. The boys
maintained a torrid pace both days, working up a good sweat despite
the sub-freezing wind chills. The Tuesday ride was particularly
enjoyable as we toured the Sag Harbor "lakes region" just south of
Mashashimuet Park. We even visited a little known memorial for Truman
Capote beside one of the ponds. In the classroom in the afternoons,
the crew was introduced to the literature of Edward Abby (Desert
Solitaire) and Terry Tempest Williams (PIeces of White Shell), two
writers whose work is based on the landscape in southern Utah we'll be
visiting next week. Scheduled for Wednesday is a hike to the seal
haul out in Montauk where, hopefully, we will see some seals soaking
up some sunny, above freezing, weather.
our legs and butts are a bit sore, but our spirits are high. The boys
maintained a torrid pace both days, working up a good sweat despite
the sub-freezing wind chills. The Tuesday ride was particularly
enjoyable as we toured the Sag Harbor "lakes region" just south of
Mashashimuet Park. We even visited a little known memorial for Truman
Capote beside one of the ponds. In the classroom in the afternoons,
the crew was introduced to the literature of Edward Abby (Desert
Solitaire) and Terry Tempest Williams (PIeces of White Shell), two
writers whose work is based on the landscape in southern Utah we'll be
visiting next week. Scheduled for Wednesday is a hike to the seal
haul out in Montauk where, hopefully, we will see some seals soaking
up some sunny, above freezing, weather.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Full Course Description
This course will focus on the land, people, and history of one of the most diverse and spectacular regions of the world – the American southwest. During the first week, students will prepare for a trip to the southwest by reading and discussing several southwestern writers, including Edward Abbey, Terry Tempest Williams, and such Native Americans as Sherman Alexie and Joy Harjo. At the center of their study will be the essential relationship of human being to natural environment and how the extreme landscape and arid climate of the southwest dramatizes this relationship. Because the trip to the southwest will also include a great deal of physical activity (skiing, hiking, and mountain biking), during the first week, students will also undertake a rigorous fitness regimen, biking and hiking the trails of Long Island’s east end.
During the second and third weeks, students will take a ten-day trip to Utah and southwestern Colorado, where they will explore the southwestern landscape, skiing in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains and hiking and biking through the high deserts of southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado. Guided by park rangers, students will hike through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, exploring mile-deep canyons and naturally occurring red rock arches that have been formed over millions of years. Local tour guides will also lead students on mountain biking expeditions to a series of Native American “rock art” sites. Finally, students will visit the archeological sites of the Ancestral Pueblan people in Mesa Verde National Park and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. In a medium of their choosing (such as video, photography, or creative writing), each student will document her/his experience, responding to the central question, “How does natural environment affect people and societies?”
The trip includes 4 days of skiing and a professionally guided mountain biking tour in Moab, UT. This is a physically demanding course. Students must be prepared for rigorous outdoor exercise in all kinds of winter weather.
During the second and third weeks, students will take a ten-day trip to Utah and southwestern Colorado, where they will explore the southwestern landscape, skiing in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains and hiking and biking through the high deserts of southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado. Guided by park rangers, students will hike through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, exploring mile-deep canyons and naturally occurring red rock arches that have been formed over millions of years. Local tour guides will also lead students on mountain biking expeditions to a series of Native American “rock art” sites. Finally, students will visit the archeological sites of the Ancestral Pueblan people in Mesa Verde National Park and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. In a medium of their choosing (such as video, photography, or creative writing), each student will document her/his experience, responding to the central question, “How does natural environment affect people and societies?”
The trip includes 4 days of skiing and a professionally guided mountain biking tour in Moab, UT. This is a physically demanding course. Students must be prepared for rigorous outdoor exercise in all kinds of winter weather.
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