Evergreen Tree and his cousin Snida came with us the day we toured the Cliff Dwellings at BANDALEAR NATIONAL MONUMENT near Santa Fe, NM. It was a 50 mile drive from Cochiti. The park headquarters was open despite the cold. At the desk I told the Park Ranger there were four adults and two children. BUT I added to him that two adults should get a VIP pass and not have to pay. I got the look I expected, but when I explained these two were from Cochiti, I got a big smile and a personal welcome for Evergreen Tree and his cousin. After all, their ancestors were from here.
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Tentrocks today is open to the public. You have to cross Cochiti land to view it. Don't try to take the road beyond Tentrocks. If you can get a guide to take you 4-wheeling, then it is worth it. Take my word.
Standing in the FRIJOLES ruins, we look toward the cliffs we would climb. Evergreen Tree explains in detail what we are looking at.
We climbed three laders to get to where Evergreen Tree wanted to take us into a Ceremonial Kiva.
It was a solemn occasion with Evergreen Tree as we went down the ladder into the Kiva. After a short ceremonial chant, he relaxed and smiled and said we were welcome. It was a fitting day and near the end of our stay with a generous man and his people. Our two young children would forever remember.
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