Explore Navajo Interactive Museum

Above, the Navajo Code Talker statue in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's a place I'll need to visit the next time I am in Northern Arizona.

It is the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum in Tuba City. Within the museum are exhibits of the World War II Navajo Code Talkers.

RV Travel has posted an article on the museum.

It begins with:

Located in Tuba City, Arizona, the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum offers visitors an engaging and immersive experience of the rich history and culture of the Navajo Nation.

Among its many exhibits, the museum pays homage to the incredible Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. The Code Talkers have always interested my husband and me, so we were excited to include this amazing museum on our RV itinerary. If you’re traveling through Northern Arizona, this interactive museum is a destination you won’t want to miss. Here’s why you should plan a visit.

To read more, go here.

Single Digit Temperatures

Above, Navajo Code Talker statue in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I sure hope it warms up here in Jamestown and Gallup this morning. I have to go see my banker this morning in Gallup

I just took a glance at my two weather apps on my phone and we are down to single digits in temperature and less.

WeatherBug has us (currently) at 1° and the Weather Channel app has us at -8°. A lot of people's pipes are probably bursting if they're not properly insulated. 

WeatherBug has us at at 40% chance of snow showers. Hopefully, that will happen as we need the water here. The National Weather Service says there's a 30% chance of snow showers starting Sunday.

The National Weather Service says it is -11° currently in Gallup. There's an Extreme Cold Warning in effect there.

Here's their forecast for the next several days:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 35. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as zero. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 40. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 9. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light northwest after midnight.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 35. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 12.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 51.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 49.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Sunday

A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night

A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.

Monday

A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 39.

August 14: Navajo Code Talkers Day

Above, the Navajo Code Talkers statue in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was Navajo Code Talkers Day.

The day is an annual celebration of the work by Navajos during World War II in passing on messages in their native language.

According to AZ Central:

Aug. 14 is Navajo Code Talkers Day, a date President Ronald Reagan dedicated in 1982 to "all members of the Navaho Nation and to all Native Americans who gave their special talents and their lives so that others might live."

Here are some important facts to know about the Navajo Code Talkers and how they are being honored.

To read more, go here. 

Survey Being Conducted On Public Interest of Fort Wingate

Above, Fort Wingate base buildings. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nearly three years ago, before the coronavirus pandemic started, plans for the Fort Wingate Army Depot and base buildings were proceeding. 

Planning ideas including making part of Fort Wingate a national historic site or monument and some portions would be turned over to the local tribes (Navajo and Zuni) after clean-up of munitions storage areas and bunkers. Author/historian Martin Link was active in the planning discussions.

Above, the entrance to the Army Depot munitions storage section. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When the pandemic hit, things ground to a halt. Some of it was due to disinterest on the part of the governor of New Mexico after the pandemic eased.  

Now, it appears that things may be starting up again, but the powers-that-be want to see how much public interest there is for the reactivation of the FWDA Restoration Advisory Board first. They are conducting a survey to determine interest.

USACE-Albuquerque District - US Army has posted the following:

Albuquerque, New Mexico - The U.S. Army Fort Wingate Depot Activity is conducting a survey to determine if there is enough public interest to re-activate the FWDA Restoration Advisory Board. The RAB provides a public venue for citizens to provide input on the decisions that are made by the Army to clean up the installation and meet the permit requirements.

The New Mexico Environmental Department issued a permit to the Army in December 2005, defining the requirements necessary for the cleanup of environmental contamination, munitions, and explosives at Fort Wingate Depot Activity before property can be transferred to the Department of the Interior. The permit requires extensive consultation with the Pueblo of Zuni and the Navajo Nation, as the two tribes will ultimately receive any land the Army transfers to the Department of the Interior. However, federal law also requires the Army to involve other stakeholders from the surrounding communities in the cleanup process.

If re-activated, the RAB will include community members who reflect the diverse interests of the local community. RAB members will be asked to review and comment on plans and activities relating to the ongoing environmental studies and restoration activities at FWDA. Members will be expected to serve as a voluntary liaison between the community and the RAB and be available to meet with community members and/or groups. RAB meetings will be open to the public.

Fort Wingate is roughly ten miles from my home (as the crow flies). 

If you would like to see Fort Wingate become a national historic site or monument, please let your views known. Remember, this is where the famous Navajo Code Takers of World War II were trained.

To read more and participate in the survey, go here. 

National Code Talkers Day Now An Arizona State Holiday

Above, the Navajo Code Talkers statue at Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are two statues in the immediate vicinity (that I am aware of) that honors the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. 

One is located at Window Rock & Veterans Memorial Tribal Park in Window Rock, Arizona and the other is located in front the Gallup Cultural Center (where the Gallup train station is located).  

Above, the Navajo Code Talkers statue at the Gallup Cultural Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last month, Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona signed legislation making the National Code Talkers Day an Arizona state holiday.

ABC15 reported:

Governor Doug Ducey has signed legislation making National Code Talkers Day a state holiday.

It will be every year in mid-August, celebrated on August 14. However, according to Senate Bill 1802, if Navajo Code Talkers Day falls on any day other than a Sunday, it will be observed the Sunday following August 14.

National Code Talkers Day was established in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan.

To read more, go here. 

Navajo Code Talkers Day

Today is Navajo Code Talkers Day honoring the code talkers of World War II.

Above, the Legendary Navajo Code Talkers statue in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Navajo Code Talkers statue of Gallup, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, President Trump's Tweet today honoring the Navajo Code Talkers.

Don Diego's and the Gallup Cultural Center

Above, the Navajo Code Talker Monument at the Gallup Cultural Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This afternoon was spent listening to (and managing to doze off) a conference call with the investment department of my ban on the Market Volatility. With the Dow Jones plunging 2,000 points today, it was rather timely.

Above, Don Diego's Restaurant & Lounge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After waking up, I decided I didn't feel like cooking tonight. I wanted to go to Genaro's in Gallup, but was uncertain if they were open on Monday. Turns out they weren't. I figured ahead of time that if they weren't open, I'd go to Don Diego's Restaurant & Lounge or Earl's. Since Don Diego's was closer, I went there and had a good plate of chicken taquitos.

Above, my chicken taquitos dinner at Don Diego's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After dinner, while heading down Historic Route 66, I decided to stop by the Gallup Cultural Center of the Southwest Indian Foundation that held its grand re-opening party last week (I was too exhausted to attend). While walking to the center, a Native American girl was also walking in the same direction. She was carrying on a deep conversation with herself. (No, she didn't have her cell phone on with a microphone.) She was either "slightly advanced" mentally or on drugs.

Above, the Gallup Cultural Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

She went inside the cultural center ahead of me. I instead went to take a photo of a statue of a Navajo USMC Code Talker and the building before going inside. When I went in, the girl was still talking to herself. Her most lucid moment was asking me if I would get a drink for her from the vending machine in the lobby. She looked like she could use it. So I got her a soda from the machine. She was muttering that some guy raped her and got her pregnant. I guess this qualifies as my "good deed for the day".

The museum was closed (I did see through the window that they had a collection of guitars) as was the restaurant. I did manage to pick up some literature. I then left, with the girl still inside still talking to herself.

I'll have to go to the Gallup Cultural Center at an earlier time when everything would be open.

November Is Native American Heritage Month

Above, a statue honoring the Navajo code talkers of World War II at Window Rock Navajo
 Tribal Park & Vveteran's Memorial in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In case you weren't aware of it, but we're now in Native American Heritage Month.

There are nine places to "honor the past and embrace the future" and Travel + Leisure has posted a slideshow of them.

They begin with:

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to "honor the past and embrace the future" of an incredible group of people who have a delicate and complicated history with the United States. An opportunity for the U.S. to reflect on and reckon with its history, this month shines light on the different cultures, histories, and people — from ancient tribes to modern societies — across the land.

Above, Window Rock. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more and see the slideshow, go here. 

The Navajo Code Talker

Above, radio equipment on display at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the more interesting things about the Pacific War in World War II was the use of Navajo Code Talkers.

In recent years, the Navajo Code Talkers' role during the war has been extensively celebrated. And rightly so.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency website:

Navajo Code Talkers and the Unbreakable Code

In the heat of battle, it is of the utmost importance that messages are delivered and received as quickly as possible. It is even more crucial that these messages are encoded so the enemy does not know about plans in advance. 

During World War II, the Marine Corps used one of the thousands of languages spoken in the world to create an unbreakable code: Navajo. 

World War II wasn’t the first time a Native American language was used to create a code. 

During World War I, the Choctaw language was used in the transmission of secret tactical messages. It was instrumental in a successful surprise attack against the Germans. 

Germany and Japan sent students to the United States after World War I to study Native American languages and cultures, such as Cherokee, Choctaw, and Comanche. 

Because of this, many members of the U.S. military services were uneasy about continuing to use Code Talkers during World War II. They were afraid the code would be easily cracked, but that was before they learned about the complexity of Navajo.

Above, "The Legendary Navajo Code Talker" statue at Window Rock Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In Window Rock, Arizona, Navajo Code Talker equipment is on display at the Navajo Nation Museum and there is a statue of "The Legendary Navajo Code Talker" at the Window Rock Tribal Park. Window Rock is the capital of the Navajo Nation.

Near to my home in New Mexico is Fort Wingate. It was at Fort Wingate that the Navajo Code Talkers received training.

From Legends of America:

Most famous of Fort Wingate’s World War II contributions, however, were the Navajo code talkers who trained here. The code talkers baffled Japanese forces in the Pacific using a code based on the Navajo language.

Navajo Nation Museum

Above, the main entrance to the Navajo Nation Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Window Rock, Arizona is the capital of the Navajo Nation. I took a little drive there yesterday and one of the places I visited was the Navajo Nation Museum.

Along with the exhibit area of the museum, it has conference facilities, the offices of the Miss Navajo pageant, library and gift shop.

Here's some photos of the museum:

Above, the main lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Navajo war chief Manuelito. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Navajo Code Talker artifacts:

Above, George Harlan Kirk, Sr. Navajo Code Talker uniform. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more on Window Rock, Arizona, go here.

A Trek To Window Rock, Arizona

Above, the natural arch that gives the town its name. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Even though it has been a rainy day, I decided to take a drive to Window Rock, Arizona for the fun of it.

I had never been there before so I headed over after breakfast and a stop at the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona.

Above, the Navajo Nation Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What's the significance of Window Rock?

According to Wikipedia:

Window Rock is a small city that serves as the seat of government and capital of the Navajo Nation, the largest territory of a sovereign Native American nation in North America. It lies within the boundaries of the St. Michaels Chapter, adjacent to the Arizona and New Mexico state line.

Above, a giant tabletop map of the Navajo Nation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While it probably would have been better to go there during the spring and summer months, it was a nice drive with snow on the surrounding red rocks. Besides being my first time there, it was also the first time I drove in this area of the Navajo Nation.

Above, a display of Navajo Code Talker radio transmitters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After arriving in town, I headed over to the Navajo Nation Museum. It is a nice modern facility with a large display area, conference rooms, library, the offices of the Miss Navajo pageant and a gift shop. Free coffee is available at the information desk in the main lobby.

After wandering through the museum, I headed over to see the rock formation that gives the town itss name.

Above, an interesting rock formation a short walk away from the museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To get good view of Window Rock, one has to drive to the Window Rock Tribal Park & Veteran's Memorial. At the Veteran's Memorial is a huge statue of a Navajo Code Talker of World War II. The park honors Navajos who served in the U.S. military.

Above, the "Legendary Navajo Code Talkers" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I didn't walk over to the statue as the walkways were very icy from the New Year's snowstorm.

After visiting the Window Rock Tribal Park, I headed out and stopped at the Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise facility. There were many examples of Navajo art goods including jewelry, rugs/blankets, camping equipment, paintings, clothing and other items. I didn't see anything that suited my fancy enough to purchase.

Above, a side view of the "Legendary Navajo Code Talkers" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After visiting the Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise, I headed out to go to Gallup for some grocery shopping.

From the time I left the Flying J this morning and returned home today, I drove about 108 miles. Not a bad little outing.

Above, Window Rock Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This gave me a great opportunity to get some exercise and see things. I will post more on the Navajo Nation Museum in another blog post.