A Look Back at
Pecos Pathways 2005
By Donald A. Slater

This summer marked the 8th year of Pecos Pathways.  It is the third year that the program has had a duration of three weeks, the last of which is spent traveling throughout New England.  A total of ten students and six chaperones participated in the program.  Five students from Phillips Academy took part, including rising seniors Elizabeth R. and Kira G., along with rising uppers Kristi G., Lindsay A., and Sean A.

We were joined in New Mexico by four students from the Pueblo of Jemez--Lony F., Warren A., Alva C., and Kristen A.--as well as Audriana Q. from the town of Pecos.  Chaperones in New Mexico from Phillips Academy were Donald Slater and Tori Cranner of the Robert S. Peabody Museum and Carol Israel of the Phillips Academy Psychology Department.  Rolanda Casiquito and Chris Toya were the chaperones from the Jemez Department of Resource Protection.  Once in New England, we were joined by the Peabody Museum Director Malinda Blustain.

The first week of Pecos Pathways was spent at the Pueblo of Jemez.  Participants from Andover and Pecos stayed with host families at the Pueblo.  As always, our hosts were very gracious and hospitable.  We were treated to a seemingly endless quantity of wonderful food including enchiladas, green and red chili, and home-made bread.

During the day, we explored several archaeological sites in the area.  The group hiked Guadalupe Mesa and was introduced to many ruins along the way.  Students were amazed by the amount of pottery sherds and obsidian that still litter the top of the mesa.  We also visited the Jemez State Monument to see both Ancestral Puebloan and Spanish colonial ruins.  Later we traveled to the ancient cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument.  We also had a chance to unwind in local thermal springs known as “The Hippy Hole.” 

Pecos participants also were fortunate to attend the “Feast of St. Anthony” at Sandia Pueblo.  There we had the opportunity to enjoy traditional Native music and dance.  After the festivities, we were (once again) treated to an amazing meal.  The feast rivaled any traditional New England Thanksgiving in both quantity and quality.  Lastly, we were able to spend time at the wonderful market at Sandia where everyone took advantage of the opportunity to purchase turquoise and silver jewelry and beautiful handmade pottery.

During the evening, participants dined and conversed with their host families and sometimes joined them in attending a local baseball or softball game.  Several nights students, chaperones and host families gathered for the role-playing game, “Mafia”.  Many laughs were had!  One special evening, Pecos participants and many members of their host families took a private tour of the Valles Caldera, an immense volcanic crater situated in a remote section of the Jemez Mountains.  The area is now a national preserve and is home to many species of wildlife including elk, deer, bobcats, mountain lions and eagles.  While observing some of these animals, namely elk, in their natural habitat, we also were able to enjoy breathtaking landscapes.  At the rear of the park, we were met by a local astronomer who gave us a tour of the heavens with his 24-inch telescope.

After departing from Jemez, the group headed north for a weekend camping trip.  On our way to Colorado we stopped to visit the famous ruins at Chaco Canyon.  We then continued to Mesa Verde National Park where we camped for two nights and explored many cliff dwellings.  We especially appreciated the wonderful tours provided by Dr. Joseph Weixelman of the University of New Mexico!

The second week we spent our days at Pecos National Historical Park and our nights at Santa Fe.  Students had the opportunity to see a variety of archaeological and historic sites at Pecos NHP that included Ancestral Puebloan ruins, a Spanish mission, the Glorietta Civil War battlefield, a working ranch and the remnants of the Santa Fe trail.  The always gracious staff at Pecos NHP, among others including Tim Burchett and Christine Beekman, introduced students to adobe brick making and wall repair, ceramic artifact analysis and archaeological excavation at a section of the site known as the “Priest Garden.” 

Our housing was graciously provided by the Santa Fe Indian School.  Highlights of our time in Santa Fe included a trip to the rodeo and a fantastic southwestern dinner hosted by the parents of Audriana Q. 

The final week of Pecos Pathways was spent traveling throughout New England.  We were first welcomed by an excellent meal at the home of Malinda Blustain.  The next two days we were led by Boston City Archaeologist Ellen Berkland through many important colonial sites in Boston, including the Granary Burial Ground, the Old Statehouse and Paul Revere’s House.  We also visited Ms. Berkland’s Boston Archaeology Lab.  The following day she joined us on a trip to the Hull Lifesaving Museum.  The HLM staff introduced the group to the art of rowing.  After the lesson, participants used their new knowledge to successfully row through Boston Harbor to Peddocks Island.  Our time there was then spent touring ruins of military forts and exploring the beaches.

The group also traveled to the White Mountains on a hiking trip, but the day was marred by a flat tire, a finicky spare tire and a mountain road with no cell phone service.  Despite this, we still were able to visit the caves of “The Lost River.”  The next day we attended a fantastic game at Fenway Park where the Red Sox trumped the Indians 5-2. 

To wrap up the trip, the group trekked down to the Mashantucket, Pequot Reservation in Connecticut.  There we toured their world-class tribal museum and had the opportunity to excavate at two different archaeological sites that ranged in age from the Middle Archaic to Contact periods.  We also were invited to a wonderful cookout by Kevin McBride and Russ Handsman of the Pequot Museum.

On the final night, students and chaperones gathered for a BBQ at Carol Israel’s house on campus to share stories and say their goodbyes.  It was yet another successful year for Pecos Pathways!