Kutz Stairway - Greater Chaco Viewscape

The Great North Road from Chaco Canyon leaves Pierre's Outlier heading directly to Upper Twin Angels mound in the Angel Peak Badlands.  A small shrine-like ruin sits on top of the mound.  This marks the point where the North Road ends and the Kutz Stairway descends 500 feet into the canyon.  People of Chaco traveled along the bottom of Kutz Canyon to Twin Angels Outlier over 800 years ago.  The stairway is a challenge to define due to hundreds of years of erosion and the industrialization of the area by oil and gas development.

Kutz Canyon is dotted with well pads and multiple crisscrossing oil and gas access roads.  Along the canyon rim the Great North Road has been covered with fracking fluid evaporation ponds.

Nancy and I spent several days last week along the rim and in the canyon working to capture the spirit, meaning and importance of this sacred site.  Click here to view Kutz Stairway - Greater Chaco Viewscape.

be strong, be safe, Talon

Alice Gilmore - Standing Strong for Truth and Justice

December 2006, a harsh cold winter day on the Navajo Nation.  Alice Gilmore's grazing permit was in the process of being taken away from her illegally.  The purpose, to build the proposed Desert Rock coal burning power plant on her permitted land on the Navajo Nation.  Alice stood strong.  Defending her rights.  Speaking the truth.

That December day, when I first met Alice, was the beginning of an incredible journey working with her. I photographed Alice, recorded her stories, and traveled across the Navajo Nation in my Jeep with her.  There were times of laughter and times of tears together.  She drew a hard line in the sand.  Spoke the truth.  Prevailed in the end.  Truth is always the winner.

Alice finished her journey of 87 years on Mother Earth a few days ago.  That winter day in 2006 seems like yesterday.  It has been an honor to know and work with her.  Her face and strong words of wisdom will forever be in my memories of her.

Safe journey Alice.  Thank you for Standing Strong for Truth and Justice. 

be strong, be safe, Talon