Tribal Government - The Tribal Council is composed of over 30 former tribal leaders. The Council elects and appoints the Officials of the Governors Office and the War Chiefs Office. These Officials are appointed for every new calendar year. The Governor and his 9 officials are concerned with civil and business issues within the village and the relations with the non-Indian world. The War Chief and his 11 officials deal with the protection of the tribal land outside of the village walls as well as the protection of the wildlife. Conservation and preservation of the Sacred Village and the Blue Lake Wilderness Area are of primary concern to the Taos Pueblo. The Pueblo’s goal is to maintain the area of over 100,000 acres in its most natural state - protecting trees, water, fish, wildlife, soils, and land from damage. The Taos Pueblo Wilderness Act provided the tribe with exclusive use of the area for traditional purposes and is closed to the general public. (Taos Pueblo introductory brochure)

Pueblo structures © 2005 technogypsie.com, click photo for larger view.

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico © 2005 technogypsie.com, click photo for larger view.

Cimarron Canyon, New Mexico
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/nmparks/PAGES/parks/cimarron/cimarron.htm
High in new Mexico’s High Country, set with clear running water, seasonally snow-peaked mountains, rock climbing sills, canyon niches, and gorgeous forests … Cimarron Canyon has alot to offer the outdoor enthusiast. Its part of a 33,116 acre wildlife area - the largest in New Mexico teaming with Elk, deer, bear, turkey and grouse attracting hunters in the fall and winter. Wildlife viewing is plentiful as songbirds, elk, deer, bear, turkey and grouse call the park home. “You are now at the Great Plains - Rocky Mountain boundary. The Cimarron Range, one of the easternmost ranges of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in this part of New Mexico. Elevation 6,800 feet.” State Park: “This high mountain park is part of a state wildlife area and is managed by the New Mexico State Park Division in cooperation with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Trout fishing is excellent in the Cimarron River and the park offers fine opportunities for backcountry hiking and wildlife viewing. The crenallated granite formations known as the Pallisades are popular with rock climbers.” Pallisades Sill: “These spectacular cliffs are cut by the Cimarron River through igneous rock known as a sill and composed of the rock type monzonite which was emplaced some 40 million years ago as these southern Rocky Mountains were being uplifted. Elevation 8,000 feet. “(roadside historical marker)

Cimarron Canyon marker, NM © 2005 technogypsie.com, click photo for larger view.

Cimarron Canyon State Park © 2005 technogypsie.com, click photo for larger view.

Alaska Airlines
Seatac Airport (Seattle, WA) - Denver International Airport (Denver, Colorado)
1-800-ALASKAAIR
Alaskaairlines.com
A trip to Seattle and back from Denver, Colorado provided a very pleasant and easy flying experience. While I’m a big fan of Northwest Airlines, I think I’m becoming a big fan for this smaller partner airlines. Never were the check-ins consisting of long lines or any waits - smooth and streamlined … and very pleasant helpful staff at both airports and on the flight. Service was A plus. No delays in either flight, in fact, they were early on arrival in all courses. I was very pleased. No problems with luggage either. 5 stars out of 5.

Budget Car Rental - Seatac Airport, Seattle

www.budget.com
800-527-0700
A week rental through usaa.com for $144 total price for 8 days. Sweet. Small economy car, the journey went well with it already waiting for me at the airport, and an easy check-out. However the lady at the service counter kept trying to sell me insurance and an upgrade. Hello? I reserved the car (no credit card necessary) through my insurance company. I ordered an economy car, I don’t need to pay more for a full-size (though truthfully would have been helpful with some of my move). Outside of the pushy agent, it was a very pleasant experience. The tire was low on the car, I was disappointed with that. But air-up and it was fine. Feared it might of been a flat. But it held the whole eight days so obviously not. Checkin was good, speedy, easy, and quick receipt. Rated 4 stars out of 5.

Tulalip Casino and Buffet
10200 Quil Ceda Blvd.
Tulalip, WA 98271
(888) 272-1111
http://www.tulalipcasino.com/
Conveniently located off I-5 inbetween Mt. Vernon and Everett, a great stop-off for Vancouver - Seattle travellers … Tulalip Casino is an enormous palace of slot machines, game tables, bars, and fine entertainment. Usually very notable for their buffet, I stopped by on Monday, Dec 12th, 2005, to find not only did they raise their prices, but the food wasn’t as expansive as usual, nor as good. It also took the waittress quite a while to get back to me with refills which is odd, because they used to be right on top of everything, quality food, and great service. Not today. Usually I rate this a 4 1/2 stars, but this time, gonna have to give the buffet a 2. Rated 2 stars out of 5.

Budget Car Rental
www.budget.com
Budget has over 1,900 worldwide car rental locations. Part of Cendant Corporation. Budget was founded in 1958 as a car rental company with “budget minder renters” on mind. I got a great deal online, though was disenchanted with the desklady who kept trying to sell me additions. Their pickup location is a bit of a walk from terminal. Overall good setup. 4 stars out of 5.

Alaska Airlines

http://www.alaskaair.com/
One of my new favorite Airlines … Alaska Air with its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together provide passenger and cargo air service to 80+ cities in Alaska, the lower 48 states, Canada, and Mexico. They’ve been in operation more than 70 years. They claim attribution to their connection to spirit - born of the Alaskan spirit, a place where “can-do” and “neighbor-helping-neighbor” are facts of life. In my flight with them via partner Northwest Airlines - flying from Denver to Seattle - the checkin could not be smoother, flight was early and on-time, seats were confortable, hosts were helpful and welcoming, good storage space on flight, and after landing, which was very smooth, we not only got to Seattle early, but our luggage came out on time. I’m very satisfied. 5 stars out of 5. Thank you Alaska Air!

Super 8 Hotel

18600 E 63rd Ave, Denver, CO 80249
http://www.metrotravelguide.com/hotelinfo/Denver/CO/USA/58374/
Decent hotel, a little higher price than normal, that would be expected I suppose being close to the Airport and trapped in by toll roads. No wireless internet, though they say they are working on it. I grabbed their great Airport parking and free shuttle service … so the room cost me $72 which included the parking deal. If I didn’t do the parking, it would have been about $15 less. Cable TV with HBO. I was able to do dialup. Room was small, but had all the amenities I required for this travel. They also post they have:
AM/FM Alarm Clock, 24 Hour Front Desk, Express Checkout, Golf, Modem Lines in Room, No Smoking Rooms/Facilities, Parking, Restaurant (I suppose its the Moonlight Diner?), Room Service (very extensive offerings), Safe Deposit Box, Skiing (alot of skiers were lodged here tonight), Fitness Center or Spa, Television with Cable, Laundry/Valet Services. Overall I rate it a 3 3/4 stars out of 5.

From Daily Grist Magazine, 01 Dec 2005

A Current Despair
Waning of Atlantic currents could chill Europe

Remember that movie The Day After Tomorrow? With the shifting ocean currents that cause sudden, catastrophic climate changes? Crazy stuff! Michael Moore territory! Well … funny story. Turns out the Atlantic Ocean currents that move warm tropical waters northward and cooler waters south have in fact slowed dramatically — by about 30 percent in the past 50 years, according to a new study in the journal Nature. The likely culprit? Disruption in the salinity and density of Atlantic waters brought about by increased “freshening” with more rain and melting glaciers, thanks to global warming. This could be bad news for northwestern Europe, which depends on that hit of tropical heat for its mild climate. A total shutdown of the Atlantic current system — still deemed unlikely so far — could cool the region by several degrees over 10 to 20 years. Hello, ice age! Researchers say a lot more study is needed, but most seem alarmed by the findings. And alarmed researchers make us nervous.

straight to the source: Nature.com News, Quirin Schiermeier, 30 Nov 2005

Deconstructing Hurricane
Intense 2005 hurricane season may be harbinger of things to come

This year’s Atlantic hurricane season officially ended yesterday (at which point we emerged from basement bunker, blinking), having racked up a record-breaking 26 named storms. Thirteen of these became hurricanes, and three reached Category 5 strength, including Katrina. And over half the past two seasons’ storms have made landfall, compared to an average of 9 percent from 1995 to 2003. “It was incredibly out of the ordinary,” said federal hurricane specialist Jack Beven. Some researchers say we may see more such destructive storms in years to come, thanks in part to warmer sea-surface temperatures in the tropics. A natural-cycle variation or global warming? Most experts are unwilling to come down on one side or the other. “This season was such an extreme event that it’s a little difficult to believe it could repeat itself on a regular basis,” said Beven. “But it’s too early to tell what the next season will bring.”

straight to the source: Reuters, Erwin Seba, 30 Nov 2005
straight to the source: The New York Times, Amy Goodnough, 30 Nov 2005
straight to the source: The Christian Science Monitor, Peter N. Spotts, 30 Nov 2005