The wind was picking up the day we left Española and headed home through Northwestern New Mexico.  And, I wanted to visit one of the Pueblos.  We often track through Arizona, so this day would be our chance to take-in an experience in a modern day Pueblo village.

Courtyard, Espanola, New Mexico

I was kind of bummed that they didn’t allow pictures, because from what I remember it was a mix of the old and new Pueblo Indian culture.  I remember walking several blocks with Maizzy to see the church.  The residents didn’t pay much attention to me and my old dog wondering around.

Espanola, New Mexico

There were residential homes with jewelry sale signs in front.  I didn’t want to leave without some treasure from our adventure – and no pictures.  At first, this felt uncomfortable.  I remember wandering around for awhile before being brave enough to knock on a door.  I remember the nice gentleman showing me the jewelry in cases.  It was more expensive than I wanted – but I believe in supporting the culture.  And, they took Mastercard.  My Santa Clara necklace is still my absolute favorite Native American necklace.  It has been with me on a few job interviews!

Santa Clara Pueblo Necklace

We were headed down the road, again, all too soon.  One thing I have learned in my research on the Santa Clara Pueblo is that they have a corn dances in honor of patron saint, Saint Clare.  They also have Comanche Dances in June.  I think immediately of two of my favorite Ned Robert’s spiders, Purple Corn Dancer and Comanche Princess.

Purple Corn Dancer – 2019

Ned lived in Albuquerque – I wonder if he visited this place?

Comanche Princess – 2019

At any rate, I took another division off of Purple Corn Dancer last weekend – so I now have it in 3 places.  Comanche Princess is in two places – I got them in the same shipment a few years ago.

Purple Corn Dancer with all petals curled under – 2019

Purple Corn Dancer blooms last most years – with the harvest.  Named for the corn dances.  We have Olathe Sweet Corn’s home town just 10 miles away – not Native corn, but I can understand having festivals to celebrate because we have one.  We use to have powwows here, too – I miss them so much.

Purple Corn Dancer looks like a Corn Dancer in this picture

So, camping at State Parks is open but we should still stay close to home, take our own food, try to limit gas stops out of our neighborhood.  I’m old enough, I should hold off travel another couple of weeks, anyway.  After the students graduate . . . early June for a few days.  My photos give me wanderlust – I learn so much from travel.  I learn so much from daylilies, too.  How else would I know about Purple Corn Dancers?  Within every daylily bloom lies an adventure.