Shikaakwa

Called Shikaakwa, meaning wild onions, by the Mihtohseeniaki and Illiniwek, but it became known as Chicago, a mispronunciation of the original name for the place.   Based on Lake Michigan, it has always been a natural port location, and remains such to this day.  After the devastation of the Chicago Fire of 1871, the city rebuilt to become now in 2011 the third largest city in the USA.

In my journeys, my husband and I settled for 14 months in Chicago, doing inter-city and homeless ministry.  We dwelt in an old 1920's hotel in Uptown Chicago, and were a short walk from Graceland and Saint Boniface Cemeteries.   It is well worth touring on foot the cemeteries, to see up close and personal the lasting monuments of Chicago's history and periods of architecture.  If shopping is your thing, check out the Unique and Salvation Army thrift stores and the shops of Little Thailand, Little India, and Chinatown.  Lakeshore's bike paths are a joy, and the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free, is a blast, but for two travelers with a heart left in Dine Bikeyah, Shikaakwa is no place to stay for long.


~ Traveller Gal, out!

Kinlinidi

Called Kinlinidi, meaning many homes, by the Dine, but the pioneers called it Flagstaff after the make shift flag staff they made out of a tall tree in 1876.  Nested in the remains of a ancient volcano at a height of nearly 7,000 feet, a tent city was formed in 1881, and by the coming of the railroad in 1882, it was officially a town called Flagstaff. 

It is this dreamy little mountain town is where I have settled down for a time, as my husband attends college here.  Flagstaff is the home of NAU, as well as some small private colleges, like the one where my husband attends.  I love going downtown and shopping at all the unique shops, with bicycle shops and camping stores everywhere around town, and about as many antique shops to explore, I adore this town!

~ Traveller Gal, out!

Snow...

Here I sit in the scared mountains surrounding Kinlinidi.  I have been snowed in all weekend, with over two feet of snow, and a horrid cold on top of that.  Ahh, such is the life of a steam gypsy.  Soon a friend should be able to rescue me and I can get out to get cold meds at last.  Ran out prior to the roads being good enough to get out.

I have been settled for nearly 8 months now, not traveling more that a weekends trip from home.  I am getting restless.  Even when I was a child, we traveled more than this.  But it looks like I might just get to graduate with my certificate this May, at least that is the goal.  Then some travel this summer, a job, and saving up for more traveling.  ^_^  With what my journey-task is, this should not be a surprise.

~ Traveller Gal, out!

What is this about?

I am a wanderer, modern gypsy of sorts.  I am a traveller, a follower of Jesus, and a missionary.  This blog is to tell the story of those travels, adventures, sorrows and joys from my honest view points.  I will also tell the history of areas, and many times use the local tribal names for locations within my blogs.  Photos, culture, and history for me is a given.  Also, great online shops, thrift stores and antique stores might find their way on to here, not because they ask me to, but because I adore them or something I found at them.


If you have any ideas or subjects you would like to see me post on, feel free comment here.

~ Traveller Gal, out! 

New Journey...

It seems that before me is a new journey, with new places and new faces to see and meet.  Kayenta, Deennihotso, Tuba City, Flagstaff, Gallup, Window Rock, Ft. Definace, and so many more... and that is just in Dine Bikeyah.  While my beloved commits himself to the training of the youth, shall I commit myself to raising awareness of the needs of natives in ministry?  What good will it be to train the youth, if all they can do once trained is sit and warm a pew?  Things have got to change... 

Traveller Gal, out!  

The path I walk...

I walk the path less traveled, the wind in my hair and the sand warm beneath my feet.  Sage brush covers the land and Navajo Tea grows all over.  The majestic rocks come out from the sands, and the mesas glow in the setting suns.

This is the land I love, my homeland, though not born to it.  Here I have found belonging, though it can be lonely at times.  It is here I hope to raise my future children, it is here I pray to grow old.  It is here I am home...

~ Traveller Gal, out!

Coal/Wood Stoves...

Out here at the trailer in Kayenta we stay at, and most of the other homes, Coal/Wood Stoves are the norm.  I grew up with Daddy using the wood burner in the basement, but he never taught me out to run it.  Rob grew up having used a coal stove as a teen.  It has been hard but fun relearning the old art of keeping a stove running through the night, but we are getting there.


I always as a child told my parents that most likely I would be living where I needed to have a wood/coal stove.  I use to pretend to gather wood.  I never guessed how hard it would really be.  To make sure the wood pile stays dry, and how painful it can be to carry a big pile inside in my arms.  The worst was when I got a blast of coal smoke in the face when we had to adjust the coals, and learned some were still hot.  Good fire place tools would be such a blessing to both Robby and me right now.

~ Traveller Gal, out!