It was where the Great Bear taught the People and bestowed gifts. It is the Bear Lodge (Mato Tipila ) that some call the Devil's Tower. Native elders have asked people to respect the area and not to climb here. It should be a simple request, but people still ignore it.
Robben Island is more than an island. South Africa imprisoned Nelson Mandela here but they could not contain his spirit as people around the world joined to call for his freedom and an end to apartheid. It is a place that defines the cost of justice and serves as a beacon for hope.
When visiting Mayan ruins, we entered the world of Chaac, the God of Rain who brings the Sound of Thunder, even as acid rain threatens what remains. In an area where entire cities and kingdoms depended on rainfall, his importance was clear. He could require sacrifice. In today’s he calls on us to care for the air and water. His voice calls as a warning.
On a cold rainy day we stopped at the North Pole, Alaska. We encountered memories of Santa Claus Lane, wondered about the Naughty List, and recalled a special story, The Santa Within Me. Our inner Santa is more important than ever. Watch for the Diaries to return in the New Year.
From Alaska - Part of my soul will always be there. These logs include stories of the Sleeping Lady, the ethics of the Iditarod, and Denali.
Writing-on-Stone is a place where rock art and hoodoos come together. It is the center of the Blackfoot nation and reaches into the heart of the earth. The beautiful rock formations hold a deep wisdom.