For Navajo and Hopi Tribes, Daylight Savings Is Confusing

Above, the Navajo Nation's Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I go into Arizona during the summer months, I have to be mindful that the state is not observing Daylight Savings Time. 

Arizona is under Mountain Time, the same as New Mexico, but with the exception of the Navajo Nation within the state, Daylight Saving Time is not observed. The Navajo Nation in Arizona observes Daylight Savings Time.

However, the Hopi tribe does not observe Daylight Savings Time. 

As one can imagine, this causes a lot of confusion.

The Arizona Daily Sun has posted an article on how bad the confusion gets.

They begin with:

Those who live on the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation — the largest Native American reservation in the U.S. — endure mind-bending calculations every March through November.

The Navajo Nation, which also stretches into Utah and New Mexico, reset its clocks for one hour later despite being situated between two territories that remain on standard time: the rest of Arizona and the neighboring Hopi reservation.

It's made for an especially unique situation with the Hopi reservation, which is landlocked within the Navajo Nation and goes by standard time year-round. A stretch of U.S. 160 in Tuba City is the de facto border between the two reservations and two time zones.

To read the full article, go here. 

45 Navajo Nation Communities In COVID Health Advisory

Above, the Navajo Nation Chapter of Iyanbito. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just when some of us thought that we've seen the worst of COVID-19, new numbers in the Navajo Nation is becoming a concern in the Four Corners region of the U.S.

45 Navajo Nation communities are reporting a high transmission of the virus. Several of them are near Gallup and Jamestown, New Mexico.

According to ABC4 Utah:

(ABC4) — The Navajo Nation experienced 417 new cases and two deaths related to COVID-19 from Nov. 10 to Nov. 17. 

That number is just a fraction of the total number of deaths at 1,952 and overall positive COVID-19 cases at 77,912, despite the nearly 650,000 COVID-19 tests already administered. 

“We urge our Navajo citizens to update their COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and flu shots. If you are feeling ill, please get tested, and get the necessary treatment if needed. Wearing a mask and washing your hands are still the best practices to prevent contracting illnesses. Together, we can prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Please stay safe throughout the week,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Based on cases from Nov. 3 to Nov. 16, the Navajo Department of Health issued a Health Advisory Notice for the following 45 communities: 

The communities near Gallup and Jamestown on the list include: Baca/Prewitt, Churchrock, Iyanbito, Shiprock, Ganado, Crownpoint and Thoreau,  

Iyanbito is just on the other side of Interstate 40 from Jamestown.

To read more, including a full list, go here.

A Visit To The Hubbell Trading Post

Above, the Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The route I took to Monument Valley from Jamestown, New Mexico had me pass by the Hubbell Trading Post. It is, perhaps, the most famous trading post in the Southwest. It is a historical trading post that dates back to 1878.

I paid a brief visit to Hubbell Trading Post and bought a few things.

From the National Park Service website:

 A BRIEF HISTORY OF HUBBELL TRADING POST

John Lorenzo Hubbell purchased the trading post in 1878, ten years after Navajos were allowed to return to their homeland from their terrible exile at Bosque Redondo, Ft. Sumner, New Mexico. During the four years spent at Bosque Redondo, Navajos were introduced to many new items. Traders like Hubbell supplied those items once they returned home.

Hubbell had an enduring influence on Navajo rugweaving and silversmithing, for he consistently demanded and promoted excellence in craftsmanship. He built a trading empire that included stage and freight lines as well as several trading posts. At various times, he and his two sons, together or separately, owned 24 trading posts, a wholesale house in Winslow, and other business and ranch properties. Beyond question, he was the foremost Navajo trader of his time.

Hubbell family members operated the trading post until it was sold to the National Park Service in 1967. The trading post is still active, and operated by the non-profit organization, Western National Parks Association for the National Park Service. They continue the trading traditions the Hubbell family started.

I was planning to visit the trading post two years ago. It is about 70 miles from home. As fate would have it, a few days before I was going to visit it, everything was shut down, including the trading post, due to the pandemic.

It is an interesting place to visit. My favorite part was the rug room. 

To read the full National Park Service website on the Hubbell Trading Post, go here. 

As the website does indicate, masks are still required. As Navajo Nation requires masks, I had some handy in the RV, so it was no problem for me.

Some photos:

Arrived At Monument Valley

Above, the historic Hubbell Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After four hours after leaving home, I arrived at Goulding's Lodge Campground around 11:00 this morning.

It would have been a 3.5 hours drive, but I stopped at the historic Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona. I spent about a half hour there browsing around and bought a few things. It was an interesting place. I will post a full blog report once I get home.

Above, yours truly at the Hubbell Trading Post.

The weather in the Monument Valley area has been nice. It has been sunny and in the upper 70s (it could've been in the low 80s). 

After relaxing a while after checking into the campground and setting up, I took a shuttle down to Goulding's Lodge area. I had been there before, six years ago, but it had been cold and windy at the time. I spent more time looking around and wasn't in any hurry.

Above, the Beast at Gouldng's Lodge Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I checked out the museum, which includes Harry and Mike Goulding's living quarters. The building had been featured in Fort Apache (1948) and in She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1949). 

Also, John Wayne's Cabin (as Capt. Nathan Brittles) in She Wore A Yellow Ribbon was open. It was closed the last time I was here.  

She Wore A Yellow Ribbon will be screened tonight at Goulding's Lodge.

Above, John Wayne's Cabin from She Wore A Yellow Ribbon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I ventured into the gift shop to browse around. Unfortunately, a tour group of seniors were in the gift shop and an old lady with the group "broke wind", fouling up the air. 

I wrapped up my visit to the lodge area with a beef stew dinner at the Stage Coach Restaurant, which had nice window booths to enjoy the vistas of Monument Valley.

Above, one of the window booths at the Stage Coach Restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After dinner I headed back to the campground via the shuttle. I later had to go back to the area as the campground store had no "moo juice" (which got a laugh out of a lady shuttle driver). 

Tomorrow morning, I will be going on a 2.5 hours sunrise tour of Monument Valley. I am looking forward to that!