Second Half of Day 8, George Hill Art Lessons, Canoeing, and lastly the splendid view from the Ranger Station

Day 8 second half

Sunday --- Today after we updated our blog’s we returned to camp.

Shortly after we arrived to Camp, Mr. George Hill arrived and began talks with us about the basics of ART.

Mr. Hill’s passion is in Sculpture Artwork, although since he suffered a stroke, he could not maintain the strength to keep practicing this method of Art.

Mr. Hill also expressed his life story, how Art had changed his life. Going from a drinking, rodeo’ing, and spontaneous traveling individual. What had changed his lifestyle was that he wanted one of his friends to hang out with him, but his friend did not want to hang out with Mr. Hill anymore. Mr. Hill asked his friend why? The response he received from his friend changed his thought process, his friend said that he could not trust him, that Mr. Hill always wanted to fight and drink blindly to a point they would not know where they would end up….

At this point in life he began thinking about the choices he makes, then he went to the Art Institute and stopped drinking. His escape from Alcoholism was through his expression in artwork.

Mr. Hill then described the fundamentals to sketching, the first task was to not look at the paper, we had to use our hand to outline what we saw, without looking at our paper. We were also asked to draw the outline of our feet. At first my scribble scratch looked terrible, I wanted to erase everything… But Mr. Hill assured us not to worry about what we were looking at… After we refine the piece, the details will work out. Certainly, after about a half hour of refining this exercise, my piece began looking like Art.

As my masterpiece became clear, we were then asked to begin the next part of this learning process. We were given this little box cut out from a thick card board type material to help us focus on a certain visual, that visual can be anything that we wanted to sketch. Of course mid-way through this task, I was interrupted. Haha, the story of my life… So many projects began, only to be interrupted by another task… Although what I did accomplish has a criss cross, funky, flow, flinstone toes look to it… To me anyway.

This settings was my next art piece...

The reason why I was called back to the group is because Warren Seyler arrived and we changed into our swimming gear. Warren had a trailer full of boats.

When we were departing, he asked if anyone wanted to ride with him, I jumped to the opportunity. Warren and I had various conversations during the drive to the lake. Warren served on the Tribal council a number of years (I believe 15 years), he now serves as sort of what I call, a consultant? Basically the key to a number of programs, of recent years he has expanded to involve the education system. Throughout the years, he has hired interns, and assigns a couple of duties to these young college interns such as: Interns go to elders houses and clean up the yards, ridding the yard(s) of old appliances such as: Refrigerators, freezers, washer and dryers. They do this to help keep the houses from being cluttered and also the reservation has been going through an erratic change on the economic side. Causing families to sort of grown apart eventually no longer assisting the elders as much as they used to.

Another project: The students go to houses around the community to ask them their input about what is their opinion, or suggestions, and what they remember about growing up in this area or where ever they grew up. They then record this into their archives. I really admire this excellent idea, one big reason he does this is because he knows that there are people that always speak up at council meetings and there are others that never do. Those are the people he is trying to reach, because they have excellent insight to what is going on…

As we arrived, myself and a few other of the students (males), unloaded the canoes. What a workout, I am loving this exercise and would like to thank Jessica Black, Warren, and everyone that put this event together. I really enjoy being out here, participating in a variety of activities… Especially with others.

We spent the rest of this day on this 180 foot long river that reaches Canada. Of course we all learned how to operate an oar in the process! J

After dinner, Warren returned and took us to the top of the mountain to the RANGER STATION. What an amazing view. Took my breath away seeing the entire county up here. See for yourself!

Is it still sunday funday.... what, I have more time for more photos, well oh my gosh... Here are a few more while I sit here and BLOG... :)

I thought this little plant was unique, so I captured it in color and a selective color... I really enjoy taking these off color unique style of pic's.

I enjoy looking upwards and caught this fine photo of the tree's protecting us from above.

And a wonderful, slow morning to enjoy a cup of coffee and read a few pages of my book. We are in a no access zone... not even Verizon has a connection... 

Now we update our blogs...

I can take a few photos while the boss is away...

Another abstract mind at work...

I bet he is really downloading music... Jessica's favorite DJ right there... next to that banana...

oh not that DJ, LOL, yes,that Stink Bug was here before we arrived and it is chilling, just to show you how huge this insect is... We set a banana next to it.

At the Law Office

A nice picture of the nets for the Columbia River Fishermen of the Celilo Village...

I really love this black and white photo of the Canon picture, I can only imagine how many wonderful pictures this camera has taken in it's prime... Even though I own a Nikon, I admire other crafts of artwork.

This was after we reached our destination on the hike around the Pictograph cliffs.

The floor at the Gorge Discovery Center Museum...

Second Sunday of travel

Day 8:  I think it's SUNDAY???? Beginning at Wellpinit Camp

This morning I woke up to the amazing sounds of wolves doing their war cries. Probably an exaggeration, but I believe there was 3 in this pack? Overall it was a good sound to wake up to…

I went outside our tent in attempt to capture a picture, yet the wild beasts were not in our vicinity. Big Kristy was already cooking, I attempted to help, but was not much help at all. So I cleaned myself up and began to read my amazing book called “Smile when you are lying, confessions of a Rogue Travel Writer” very entertaining book so far.

I hope to travel as much as this Chuck Thompson, although his travels were not entirely traveling to “Paradise” yet his travels are worth reading, so far.

Anyhow, I sort of caught up on my BLOGS, so at this time I shall add some of the Pictures of this trip so far… Please enjoy my fellow readers and bloggers…

Arrival to Spokane and dipped into the Lake for a swim

Day 7 : Travel from K.O.A. to Wellpinit… A long day, we stopped in the Spokane area to gather some Art tools for the next few days.

Plus a few students needed to purchase pants and shoes without holes in them.

After we set up camp in Wellpinit, we ate a late lunch… discussed what would take place this late afternoon which was fun and then laundry…

Swimming was almost the best part of the day… During the swim, I was diving into the lake and mildly slipped... My foot is a bit bruised right now... But I shall live, I'm not handicapped yet...

The next part was the lousy fast internet service, I say lousy because the site access was limited… Who doesn’t allow YOUTUBE???? LOL, it is a school wi-fi… Regardless, we showered and then attempted to catch up on our blogs, as usual, a few students and Clinton required my semi-intelligence on computer technology issues, and I did my best to asist. 

This keeps me a couple days behind, well I am the cause of my own lateness on updates on daily blogs, by taking so many pictures of the awesome places we visit… Regardless, my passion as a hobby is with my camera and I feel it is progressive.

After most of us finished our laundry, the expectations were laid upon us… CURFEW!!! Apparently our usual sleep pattern are very inconsistent (I think our admin staff is getting grumpy, which in turn affects the rest of us). 

Who am I lying to, we are all very different, and accustomed to many different sleeping patterns. While on this topic of difference, we the HU students were discussing this issue, none of us have the same major… I think it is awesome, to add to the topic, among the most important learning aspects is my patience with everyone, I feel I am really good with patience but this event is increasing my tolerance. I certainly hope to not be so close-minded, or in the least sound closed minded. I welcome and at the same time am bewildered by the different personalities that has not conflicted YET…  

Other part of Day 6 Friday----***My blog is all over the place because of the many interruptions that occur, the attention span of focusing on only one task is so far from constructive I am on the brink of accepting a mediocre BLOG record***

Travel day once again, I attempted to cook a delicious breakfast before all the chef’s wake up (aka everyone else).

Almost a success, after everyone began to wake up the comments and suggestions of how to cook took place. At last, breakfast was completed, everyone had their share of bacon, potatoes, eggs and Mr. Black’s wonderful pancakes. The meal was not cooked to perfection, never the less, it was a cooked meal.

After my meal, I consumed a much deserved cup coffee, the worst best tasting coffee I’ve tasted yet.

Next I began working on a blog, but, as the week has been going, someone always needs my assistance with technology or something that relates. So I decided to break away while everyone was doing their chores, this is when I notice one of the locals playing basketball.

When I arrived to the Basketball (the size was only half-court), I asked if I could take pictures, the young man replied “NO do not take pictures of me!” My response was, ok, that’s cool do you mind if I play basketball with you, he threw me the ball. In this little time our discussion consisted of education T. (I’ll refer to his name as “T” since he was concerned about his photography, I assume his identity is just as important). To my surprise T, was a freshman in high school, and he attended the Dalles High School, he began explaining how different that school is. I asked him about college, he mentioned that he wanted to attend Portland State University, T’s sister’s attended P.S.U. , so I gather it is a traditional school for the family. I mentioned to T how I heard about the new tuition free Community College Act for the state of Oregon, he already had knowledge of this, T had just taken the first test for qualification.

Somehow our conversation escalated from my introduction why I was there to the topic on Native’s being the biggest minorities in the education system. That I was a part of a family that never allowed me to stay in one place during my middle school and high school age, therefore I was usually the only Native in school. T shared the same exposure in his schools, since we attended public schools and not Tribal schools, we had shared a commonality. Knowing that I have a similar background and am currently in college, his reciprocation was in the least very involved.

T’s goals are to be a Math major, he is the youngest of his siblings, which I referred to “Babyboy” and all his siblings are sisters. I told him that is really good, he will have a lot of insight from having older siblings, especially all sisters. I believe the bond from our conversation could have taken all day, but since I am on this Environmental Science class trip, I eventually had to go. We shot baskets for the remaining time before we departed to our next destination.

Our caravan was on the trip heading towards the Columbia Gorge Destination Center. 

This was a pleasant destination, I learned about the short-faced bear, this bear used to roam the area. Much larger than a Polar Bear, lighter than a Brown Bear, yet the uniqueness lies in its legs and short-face.

Another fascination was the photographer Benjamin Gifford. Basically Mr. Gifford took many pictures ranging from the nature of the area, railroad construction, and local machinery outfits. His pictures was so good, they was on postcards and enlarged to be placed on the walls of exquisite hotels. After his death, his heirs sold 12,000 of his negatives to Sawyer, Inc., the view master company.

After the visit, we had lunch at a local park.

Lastly before we departed we had permission to see the PICTOGRAPHS, such a great opportunity, I took a few pictures of these awesome pieces of northwest history. Regardless how hot it barely was compared to what I had left (when I left the valley, the temperature a steady and grilling triple digits heat). Here are some pictures, please enjoy.

Afterwards we journeyed to the Spokane area, finally arriving to the KOA in the Spokane area.