Dr. Griggs,

This blog was created to show you how much I learned and appreciated everything you do for PEL Students.  I have never been on such an adventure that I went to bed exhausted nightly from the days activities and learning's.  Your knowledge of the world around you is so amazing, that I could only hope someday I can share some of that knowledge with friends and family.  With all my health conditions, I knew this trip was going to be a challenge, but a challenge that my heart would not stop going after!  There could never be enough ways to express my gratitude to you, but there are a few words that may...THANK YOU!   You have made my Eckerd Experience that, an experience I will never forget.  For the times you held me to the highest of standards and not let myself take the easy way out, to the times your advice made me stronger mentally, I will always be grateful.

Here is to a great 2012, and even better 2013 as I enter grad. school.

                                                                                    -Troy

 

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor
 gloom of night....

It may NOT stop the United States Postal Service, but it will stop Delta Airlines!

After a C R A Z Y process of rebooking, we all had a fine nights sleep at 

 

with a great meal @

followed by flights home on 

Goudlings & Monument Valley

As I wind down this adventure, Monument Valley has been a very nice ending to a great week. People out in this part of the country, are not in a rush to go anywhere as many are in the local area we reside.  Children can still be seen playing outside, and the family is that of a working family.  There is little cell phone reception, and you see very few stores, unlike a WalMart on every corner.  After taking the tour of the park with our amazing Navajo guide, I felt like life meant more to these than some other people I know.  They treat the Earth well, and in return the Earth provides for them.  The families we met were more than thankful for the six dollar bracelets we bought, where a lesser quality at the local discount store would have been three times what we paid.  This gentleman knew his heritage and was carrying on a tradition with his family, many of which local family's(where I reside) have forgotten.  What if we took the time to truly understand ourselves, and what our body and earth is asking of us? Would we be in a better place?  Would it hurt to be a bit kinder as we saw these people be to each other?  How about respecting our elders as we saw at dinner?  All of these questions still stick in my head as I saw what I considered almost perfection.  I only have a few pics of the lodge and such, but the memory that was created in one that I will be able to share for a lifetime, picture or not.

 

Disclaimer: All photos used in this presentation are those of David George & Troy Sessions. Logos are those of their respective owners.  Information about attractions were taken from respective websites with the website cited within the paragraph, stating where my information came from.

 

Durango

Durango, CO

I have to admit, this was one of the prettiest parts of the country one could have seen.  I have worked in Denver before, and have been to the springs, but I was shocked to see just how beautiful Durango was.  The locals were very friendly, and the hotel was amazing.  This is one town I would love to truly vacation in for a week or more. The feeling of this town says something!

All of the photos above are what I felt welcomed us to the city. The sign that states this town is distinctive, the classic train and the mountains all as a back drop welcome us, to what I felt was home.

Our Choice of Pleasure!
Was it going to be the trialway or Mesa Verde? We chose Mesa Verde. With pictures such as those below, who would not go?

We have to climb that hill to get to our rooms?

Golf Cart..Check  Dr. Griggs..Check  Troy Driving..Check Fun..DOUBLE CHECK

"The three of us, New Mexico... driving cattle" -Ed Furillo/City Slickers  c
attle .
(After watching City Slickers and arriving Ghost Ranch, this is all I could think about)

This day of the trip was one that I didn't know if I was going to survive? But look at me now! The Hill, the golf cart craziness and stress just about did me in, but a great team of people made it all better!!

Ghost Ranch (in my own terms) is a place for one to get away from the worlds issues and enjoy nature. Little cell phone reception, no televisions to be found, and the wilderness all around can make most relax. I was one that in the evening found the most relaxation with a very nice talk with the librarian at Ghost Ranch along with some very nice drinks and appetizers! This evening turned out to be one of my favorite as I truly got to know Karyn and others. Thank you to those who made this evening amazing.

The sun starting to set at Ghost Ranch!

3 Friends..all enjoying each others company! Thank you Karyn for your friendship!

We are in Taos, where else?

(Other than the Taos Inn)

Unfortunately, the one attraction that was available in Taos was closed, our group was able to enjoy the splendor of the quaint downtown and some very enjoyable meals. Our first meal was breakfast at the Taos Diner where it was comfort food at its finest. The next morning was breakfast at Michael's which by the time the team was done eating, we our pants were a bit tighter from amazing food.  Should one be looking for local attraction and artist, the Taos Inn is the best spot in town with open mic and talent evenings.  I felt like a local, being with the locals!

After an evening of exploring Taos, NM we were treated to a great trip that explored the outlying areas of Taos, including the Taos Rio Grande Bridge.   The following excerpt (see below pics) from Bigbridges.org explains this bridge in better words than I can.

Thank you David for taking most of these pictures, as the bridge was not for someone who doesn't do heights very well!  (P.S. The bus was nice and warm while you took pictures, I enjoyed watching a movie!)

     

      One of America’s highest and most famous bridges, the route 64 crossing of the Rio Grande near Taos, New Mexico was completed in 1965. A well proportioned cantilever truss with an attractive, curvilinear profile, the bridge received the American Institute of Steel Construction’s award for “Most Beautiful Long Span Steel Bridge” of 1966. In 1997 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

     With its headwaters high up in the Rocky Mountains of south-central Colorado, the Rio Grande is America’s 4th longest river, stretching 1,885 miles (3,034 km) south to the Gulf of Mexico. Located 10 miles (16 km) west of Taos, the deep gorge of the Rio Grande is the only major rift across an otherwise flat expanse of land between the mountains of the Carson National Forest and the Sangre de Cristos.

     The bridge is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the region with parking areas on both sides of the bridge. Over the years, the popularity of the bridge has often led to height exaggerations. Most sources have it between 600 feet (183 mtrs) and 700 feet (213 mtrs) high when the true height is 565 feet (172 mtrs) from road deck level to the normal surface level of the river.

One of the best features of the bridge are several platforms that cantilever out from the roadway. They allow pedestrians to stand several feet out into space - away from the comfort of the main railing and sidewalk - adding to the unease of being so high above the ground. The popularity of the span has also made it a regional suicide magnet with approximately 3 jumpers a year. A movement is growing to address the problem - not only to save lives but because the sheer cliffs of the gorge make it an all day affair for the local fire and rescue teams to retrieve the bodies.

White water rafting is popular in the region and allows a rare opportunity to view the bridge from the bottom of the canyon. The only access point is at Dunns Bridge, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the bridge. From here the river flows south for 16 miles (26 kms) through the famous Taos “Box” where the river is mostly continuous white water of Class 4+ and 5 in high water. The take out is at Taos Junction Bridge where the river becomes placid again.

A major action scene of mayhem and destruction takes place on the bridge in the 2009 Warner Brothers film Terminator Salvation.

"I'll hit you so hard they'll arrest you in El Paso for speeding"
. -Nancy Mondragon
(Movie shown while en route to Chimayo, New Mexico)

Taken by David George in Chimavo, NM. One of the many religious symbols throughout the property we had the pleasure of visiting.

Picture of the church where the dirt is obtained to heal!

While we were not speeding, Kathy was busy getting the bus ready for all of us to head to Taos, NM.  Dr. Griggs put on the movie Milagro Beanfield, which for me was such an eye opener, but also I found myself something struggling with.  When do we allow big business and growth to dictate a take over of ones land, and when do we stop and say we are fine the way we are.  As a business major, I struggle with the fine line as I have see take overs of family lands to build large offices, and I have seen strong families come out to defend their homestead.  While this movie allowed me time for reflection, it also lead to once again amazing sights, sounds and people of New Mexico.

On the way to Taos, we had a very enlightening experience by stopping in Chimavo where the El Santuario de Chiayo is located. It is a Roman Catholic Church that is a national landmark, and is known for its founding at a pilgrimage site, and also as a site known to many as a healing site.  According to the the informational signage posted to the entrance, it host almost 300,000 visitors per year.  Our tour guide Kathy, also stated it was known to have more than 5,000 cars to be lined up along the roads to enter the area on good Friday.  Once inside the area, visitors like myself found crosses, and rosaries that all represented something different.  Inside the church is an area where one may dig up "healing" dirt which has been rumored to cure one of any ailment.  Scientifically the dirt is high in calcium carbonate, thus the belief it has healing powers.  What I found as a "tourist" to be the most fascinating part of the stop, was the amount of medical equipment people had left, in statement to say they had been cured by the dirt.  While not only moving in many ways in my life, it truly gave me a new prospective on the power of positive energy or prayer as one may say.

One of the many religious symbols placed throughout the grounds

One of the great pieces of rock formations that symbolize religion

Good Morning from Sante Fe, NM

After a very much needed sleep from jet lag and bus ride, we were able to rest in a beautiful town called Sante Fe, NM.  We spent the night in the Saint Francis Hotel.  This hotel was just the right spot for our group to be able to explore the downtown, all while feeling like a locals by being able to eat at the local restaurants, and some attending religious ceremonies.  David, Karyn and I took advantage of the location after hearing about all the many things to do from the local waiter at Maria's Mexican Restaurant the evening before (Amazing Mexican Food that one CANNOT miss).
     Sante Fe is a town of about 68,000 according to 2010 Census records and also is the capital of New Mexico.  This town is clearly an artist town, with religion being very prevalent throughout the town.  After speaking with many of the locals it was very well known that artist came here because of the natural beauty (as seen in pictures above), while also the diverse culture of its people.

     We visited a few attractions while there including the Loretto Chapel.  While there is MUCH history behind this beautiful chapel, I have included a small bit of information from Lorettochapel.com website. Please visit the site to see just how beautiful the chapel is, as words cannot describe the beauty inside regardless of what religion one may be.

The Staircase Story:
The Miraculous Staircase, which legend says was constructed or inspired by St. Joseph the Carpenter, was built sometime between 1877 and 1881. It took at least six months to build, and has two 360 degree turns with no visible means of support.

 Top Left  Picture shows fine craftsmanship that went into the Loretto Chapel.  Top Right is town center, where we all enjoyed a cup of Hot Cocoa on a chilly morning. Bottom Left is the staircase that has two 360 degree turns with no visible means of support as described on their website. It's these wonders, that started this trip off to be more than amazing.

Last but not least, we visited the museum of Sante Fe, NM.  Unfortunately due to policy and procedure, no photographs were allowed inside.  The museum was truly well thought out museum with many exhibits and features for all age types. Below is the description of the exhibit description that I enjoyed the most, as I was better able to embrace the local culture and feeling around me.

From: www.museumofnewmexico.orgTelling New Mexico: Stories from Then and Now, the main exhibition of the New Mexico History Museum, sweeps across more than 500 years of stories - from early Native inhabitants to today's residents - with stories told through artifacts, films, photographs, computer interactives, oral histories and more. Together, they breath life into the people who made the American West: Native Americans, Spanish colonists, Mexican traders, Santa Fe Trail riders, fur trappers, outlaws, railroad men, scientists, hippies and artists.
The exhibit is divided into six sections representing chronological periods from the pre-colonial era to the present. Each is set apart by time frames and contrasting views from first-person accounts of the people who lived during the different periods.

"The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land".  ~G.K. Chesterton

The Beggining

"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind".  ~Seneca

Date: 3/10/2012

Good Morning to all my blog followers. This morning started out great! I was up by 4:30am to begin the journey to my friend Karyn's house, then onto the airport to start this adventure.  As I drove across the Bayside Bridge, I thought of how peaceful it was to be the only one on the road, getting ready to embark on a trip filled with many unknowns.  This was the first day of many adventure filled days head.  This trip had been a goal of mine with the encouragement of Dr. C. Griggs after my long struggle with medical issues. I had read a quote the evening before that made it all come together! This was the start of a path  to be myself once again...

"Arriving at one goal
is the starting point to another." -J. Dewey  

As each one of us arrived to the airport, we introduced ourselves, and for most, we felt at home with each other in a matter of minutes. Many of us had each other in previous classes, or had mutual friends, all of which made introductions that much easier.  The entire group was read to let the journey begin!

The landing in Albuquerque was a very welcome one, as three and half hours is a long time to be sitting in any airline seat.  As we all deplaned , each of us looked out the windows to see lots of brown! The brown sand and mountains of the great state of New Mexico. A bit different than what one sees upon landing in Tampa Bay, Florida. 

We all gathered up our luggage, to be met by our amazing bus drive who would not only become our tour guide for the week, but a friend to all.  A woman that not only had some amazing driving skills, but a personal touch to make everyone feel welcome to her home state.  


Our first "official" stop on our Journey was at to the Eaves Movie Ranch. 

"Welcome to my town. May the good lord take a

 liking to ya cause I sure have." -The late J.W. Eaves

  Top Left-Troy & David at the "Official Sign" (a bit cold for shorts!)  Top Left-Jon playing Sheriff while enjoying his Jim Beam. Bottom Left-One of the many "fronts" of buildings used in the over 250 Productions being shot on Location. Eaves first large production was CBS television series "Empire". Other productions included Easy Rider, Young Guns II & Chisum!

A BIG Thank you to Dr. Griggs & the Director of Eaves for allowing us to tour the property on a VERY cold day, when he was not feeling well. The Eckerd College Group truly appreciates your gratitude and hospitality.