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Show Naatsis'aangoo diit'dazh! We're going to Navajo Mountain! YEARS AGO Father Liebler organized the first trip from the Mission to Navajo Mountain. Then for many years he made monthly visits, when the school children, seeing his camper start down the last hill toward the school would shout, "Fodder Leeder's coming! Fodder Leeder's coming!" Including visits it is 500 miles round trip, at least one-third over dirt roads. The thrill of being at this remote part of Navajoland has always been a very special one because, of course, Navajo Mountain and the People of Navajo Mountain are very special. Now each week a one to three day trip is made by Mission staff or priest. In addition, each month or two a priest is there for 6 days for more extensive visits. The Mountain itself has a changing face. It is shaped like a huge brow, sometimes pleasant, sometimes frowning. On a sunny, cloudless day he sits like a crown on top 'of the world and smiles. When the weather is stormy, dark clouds circle the top and hide it from view; the Mountain looks mad. Navajo Mountain has his moods and the People know this. That is one reason that it is a sacred mountain - the older People still do not like outsiders climbing to its top. In the summer some herd sheep up in the higher country but no one lives there. During the January trip, Father Wayne and Nick Lyndon spent a week traveling around the mountain area, celebrating the Holy Eucharist, doctoring sores, leaving gifts from the Mission and finding new people. This was one of those days. These trips mean a sixteen-hour day! At 8 after Mass for 15 and supper together in Sylvia DandziYligai's hogan, we faced 100 miles dr.iving over dirt roads before sleep. That night before the visit to George and Alice Littlesalt's, we drove to the Shonto Boarding School to bring daughter Susan home on her day off and to be with her family. Susan is an Instructional Aid and lives in a modern government apartment. After returning late to the camp, brief greetings and arrangements for the following day were made. We slept in George's spare hogan; there was no fire but the sleeping bags were warm. At daybreak next morning we made ready for Holy Mass in the central hogan. From close by came married daughters Katy and Peggy with their children. Much Navajo language was used in the service - only Susan spoke English. Gifts from the Mission were given and breakfast was begun just after Mass. We all sat on the floor Navajo style and enjoyed frybread, hot dogs, blue corn bread, rice and coffee as we chatted and ate together. After chores and more visiting (a letter was written in English to Katy's husband Lee working in California), George saddled his horse and gathered tools for the trip to the winter sheep camp where new lambs and goats were coming each day. Peggy's husband Charley was there looking after the herd of 100. We were invited to follow George on his horse for a trip of a lifetime! For over two hours on the trail we walked up mesa and down canyon trying to keep up with the horse. At the last mesa rim a remarkable canyon lay below us. We saw Charley herding and the view dropped again hundreds of feet below. After resting and talking to Charley, we looked through glasses to see George's summer place far below. Spreading cottonwood trees near the running canyon stream, the garden spot close by and a home of the 1000 year old pueblo were part of the scene. George was very proud of this part of God's creation! We started back early in the afternoon but the shadows were long and we were tired when we slowly trudged up the last hill to camp. A quick shopping trip with Alice to the trading post before closing, chopping firewood for evening fires and supper and taking Susan back to Shonto finished the day. Other days were filled with like visits to a part of the many families who look for us when we can come - Dugii, Graymountain, Navajo, Jackson, Crank, Onesait, Holiday, Yazzie, Isaac, Reed. Friday afternoon was spent in teaching at the Headstart School and the |