#8: [11-Jul-21]

#7: [23-Oct-15]

#6: [02-Jul-13]

#5: [18-Apr-10]

#3: [19-May-06]

#2: [31-Aug-03]

#1: [16-May-99]

18-Nov-2006 -- In Search of Godfrey Daniels, Part III… Back in the early days of this site, back before the turn of the century [from October 24, 1998, to July 4, 1999, in fact], the eccentric Godfrey Daniels posted the initial visits to five confluences in California, Arizona, and Nevada. And then, just that quick, he was gone, off to pursue such pieces of esoterica as the infamous Mojave Phone Booth. Perhaps he lost interest as the Degree Confluence Project became more mainstream and reputable…. In any case, for the third time, I found myself following in Mr. Daniels’ footsteps, this time to a confluence point he actually reached!

On trips to and from the Hopi reservation, I have many times passed within a mile of this site while driving on Highway 264. Not being in quite as much of a rush as I was on my last visit to Hopiland less than two months ago, and on a day with absolutely gorgeous fall weather, I concluded this was a perfect day to venture that last 1600 meters. I decided on a two part visit. Coming east from Tuba City in the morning, I drove about a half mile off Highway 264, parked, and walked to an overlook on Blue Point to take advantage of the bright colors and clear skies with little haze to take some distant shots of the confluence point. I then headed on to the Hopi Mesas.

The highlight of the day was the chance for an extended conversation with Hopi artist Brendon Kayquoptewa, one of my favorite katsina carvers. Brendon was born and raised in the village of Hotevilla on Third Mesa, and now lives on Second Mesa. He is of the Rabbit and Tobacco clans. We’ve had a Hu whipper katsina he made as a prized piece of our collection for a number of years, and I always enjoy seeing more of his art. He brought a new piece he was working on, a large Deer katsina figure (carved from a single piece of cottonwood root). It was exciting to see one of his carvings in the early stages, and to learn a little more about the Hopi culture. When the weather is nice, many Hopi artists bring their work – jewelry, pots, and baskets, as well as katsinam carvings – to display at tables set up near the Hopi Cultural Center. It’s a great place to meet some friendly – and fascinating – people!

In the afternoon, I headed west and, again turning at Blue Point, took the dirt road north to the 36th parallel. The confluence was only a short .34 mile walk to the west. There was a little more haze than in the morning, but still a great day to be outside. The area looked unchanged since the previous visit six months earlier. Realizing I still had a long drive ahead, I headed back to the car. I stopped for a Navajo taco at the Cameron Trading Post, which provided a perfect ending to the day….

Coordinator's Note: I chose to post more than ten photos for this visit, because the visitor expressed concern that the view to the cardinal directions had not changed substantially since previous visits.

In the Navajo Indian Reservation.