Day Off in Del Rio, Texas

In addition to learning the archaeological methods in rock art research, one of the most influential reasons to participate in the SHUMLA Field Methods in Rock Art course is to have the opportunity to spend a day off in the bustling metropolis of Del Rio, Texas. Del Rio is an exciting border town filled with a variety of stimulating cultural experiences. The girls of the 2009 field school and Ken chose to experience shopping, eating lunch and going to the movie in Del Rio one Sunday afternoon. Ken chose not to shop for dresses and, regretfully, missed out on the opportunity to observe the breathtaking fashions modeled by the girls (please see photograph). Ken later joined the ladies of SHUMLA for lunch at a fantastic Thai restaurant. Lunch provided the girls and Ken an opportunity to interact with the locals of Del Rio, and the Thai food was truly delicious. With appetites satisfied and shopping bags in tote, the troupe of ladies and Ken decided to go to the movies to watch the highly recommended StarTrek movie. Some cried while others laughed, and all enjoyed the cultural experiences of Del Rio. The ladies of the 2009 field school and Ken walked away from a day in town excited about Del Rio fashions and ready to apply the cultural lessons learned in Del Rio to rock art research.

THE DEVILS RIVER!!!

So we packed our bags for an 8 day trip to Devils River, staying at the Rylander's Ranch, which had very nice accommodations. We went to Mystic shelter for 3 days, where we learned how to do site sketch map, fill out a Tex site form for archaeological survey, as well as recording recording Anthropomorphs. After we finished our day at 2:30 pm, we would cross Devils River and swim in the crystal clear H20. After Mystic Shelter, we hiked to Cedar Springs Rock Shelter and did 2 days of Anthropomorph recording, Surveying, and Photography. Nevertheless, working hard requires playing hard.
During our free time in the evening, Nathan showed us how to make and throw an atlatl and spear, and we would practice hitting charles' antelope target. We also had a mean tournament of Spoons and Washers. Our free day was spent at the river, and catching some sun. Charles also taught Amanda, Ashleigh, and Elyse how to fly fish, while Alex, Nathan, and Isaac were fishing. Ben caught a 9 in small mouth Bass, Nathan caught an 8 in small mouth Bass, and Amanda caught a spotted gar, who she named Henry. However, it wasn't all fishing, as all of us took a group photo jumping off a rock face. Charles and Alex dove 25 feet and touched the bottom.
All in all it was good trip and we learned a lot.

FMRA class 2009

The black widow makes amends

Yesterday I accidentally broke a very cherished item of Ken's; his walking stick. I know that when I stepped on it and heard that loud crack, I cracked his will to do archaeology. The next day he was not the same Ken. He had lost it. So, after getting a lot of jokes my way about the broken walking stick, including some from Dr. Boyd, I decided to make it better. With the help of Nathan I made a new walking stick for him. We cut a fresh sotol stick, trimmed the edges, scraped off the bark, and as a finishing touch added a hour glass to the bottom. Even though my nickname is the "black widow" I don't always bite the head off and walk away. I occasionally make new walking sticks. I just hope tomorrow Ken will "still got it".

Sandra W.

This has been an exciting field school. Yesterday we did a site survey and looked at some karst tunnels as well as some wiki-up rings. We have been to several exciting rock art sites. Today we recorded the rock art at the White Shaman site. We have had small storms in the evenings that have kept everything cool and in bloom.

A Lower Pecos cairn.

Wiki-ups before a storm.

Watching the storm inside the wiki-up.

A rainbow over the canyon.