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The Shortest Day Long on History: Get Schooled on the Solstice in Colorado

November 3, 2003 - Sun worshipers and students alike take note: you'll not want to miss joining the Winter Solstice program at Mesa Verde National Park. Southwest Ed-Ventures, part of the Four Corners School (www.fourcornersschool.org), is hosting this seven-day/six-night package visiting the famous cliff dwellings and archaeological sites of the Ute tribe as well as two solstice sites per day. All this starts at $1,395 per person; the price includes lodging, meals, transportation from Cortez, Colorado to the tour sites and back, expert guides and entrance fees. The dates are December 16-22, 2003. The tour group is limited to a maximum of 24 people.

Mancos Canyon, located in southwestern Colorado, was home to early Native Americans known as Basketmakers and Puebloans. When they vanished, they left behind many artifacts, most importantly their dwelling sites and rock art images known as petroglyphs. The winter solstice was an important event to early farmers, a time for rituals performed to bring back the sun, influence rains and encourage crop fertility.

Today's Pueblo people have sun watchers, who determine important ritual dates using the horizon and its features. You'll visit a section of the canyon belonging to the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, who preserve these prehistoric remains by restricting travel into the canyon. This trip will be guided by Virginia Wolf, and is, sponsors say, a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to observe the unusual shadow and sunlight interactions with the petroglyphs and stone windows that the early farmers relied upon. You will spend several days of hiking, and since there are few tourists, you should be able to see the abundant wildlife and take good photographs.

For more information, go to www.sw-adventures.org or phone Southwest Ed-Ventures at 800/525-4456.


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