Wednesday November 7
Today was a great day. The weather was
amazing: warm, sunny, and gorgeous with temperature in the mid-70s.
Though the drive down to Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge is
quite long each day, it is a lovely route with beautiful, grassy
rolling hills, patches of trees and shrub, areas of exposed rock
formations. It doesn't hurt that I'm driving this scenery during the
magic hours: sunrise and sunset.
The students were once again very
focused. When they come into class, they grab their paintings, the
photographs, and sit right down to work. Today many were talking
more, asking questions, sharing experiences or thoughts. I really
enjoyed it. Ranger Natalie came with me for the drive, and we had a
good time, including having to stop for a herd of cattle on the
highway on the way home. After a little while the ranchers in trucks
and later one on horseback were able to get them organized to the
side and we continued on towards home. For dinner some friends
gathered at Ryan's for a sort of informal potluck and game of cards.
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| Sunrise over my apartment building in the quad (park ranger housing). |
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| Rolling hills on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. |
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| The site of Wounded Knee Massacre. My drive takes me past here each day. If you don't know the history, you should. Look it up. |
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| Sunset light on an old building on Pine Ridge Reservation. |