Tied to the Post

A mural entitled Lost City Madonna has been installed at the Twin Rocks Trading Post in Bluff. It was painted by Mancos, CO artist Brad Goodell. Courtesy photo

In pursuit of the Lost City Madonna

When I was a young man growing up in Bluff, St. Christopher’s Mission was central to my spiritual, educational, and emotional training. Established in 1943 by Episcopal priest H. Baxter Liebler, its objective was to minister to residents of the northern Navajo reservation. Because Liebler was a...

Steve Simpson on a walk with his dogs at the base of the Twin Rocks in Bluff. Courtesy photo

Reading the signs at the intersection

Now that I am officially a senior citizen, having achieved the advanced age of 65 last year, I have become suspicious of old people and their resistance to change. In our small town the mean age is approximately 68 years, and many of our locals like things …just …the …way …they …are. “Keep Bluff,...

Beaeautiful new Navajo baskets weaved by artist Elsie Holiday. Courtesy photos

Jesus in a Basket

Those who know me best realize organized religion and I are at times incompatible. I am confident it is because of my rebel streak, that doesn’t like being told what to do or how and when to do it. I often joke with Twin Rocks Trading Post patrons that I am here on Sunday because I would otherwise...

Beautiful sunsets and sunrises light up the bluffs that overlook Bluff. courtesy photo

It's the light, and a lot more

In the 1960s Olympia Beer Company developed the successful marketing slogan, “It’s the water... and a lot more.” After 125 years of continuously making beer, however, the Tumwater Washington brewer discontinued production in January 2021. Falling demand and a flood of industry challenges put an end...

The history contained in a beautifully-weaved Navajo basket is fascinating, but interpreting the artwork, stories, and opinions can be challenging. Steve Simpson photo

An exceptionally deep mystery

One of the most common questions we hear at Twin Rocks Trading Post is, “So what do Navajo people think about that?” “That,” can encompass a wide variety of topics from art to culture to race relations to Bears Ears National Monument to local and national politics. There are, of course, a few...

An old-time traveler

This past Monday evening I was scrolling through YouTube, looking for information about the 2024 Paris Olympics. Growing up in rural Utah, I have always been fascinated by the City of Lights, and have many times attempted to find myself relaxing on its historic avenues at outdoor cafés, drinking...

Historic Horses of the Sun Navjo basket by Lorraine Black

Powered by horsepower

No matter where you travel on the vast Navajo Nation horses run wild. There are old ones, young ones, big ones, and small ones, but almost never are there fat, healthy-looking animals on the range. I have often wondered how they survive in this difficult environment, where there seems precious...

Gems for President

Jana, Pearl, Opal, and I frequently watch the news in the early mornings before we leave the house for work; Jana to train budding artists at Whitehorse High School, and Pearl, Opal, and I to entertain guests at Twin Rocks Trading Post. While there are some uplifting stories, much of the today’s...

Pearl and Opal are the darlings of Twin Rocks Trading Post in Bluff. Courtesy photo

The man with no name

The other day Priscilla had had enough. “Aaugh,” she muttered loudly, sounding a lot like Charlie Brown. I half expected her to follow up with, “Rats!” “Whaaaat?” I inquired from the safety of my office. It’s never a good idea to get sideways with Priscilla, so I remained seated and didn’t venture...

Spiraling through time

The first time I felt the tug of a spiral was in the late 1970s, when I was still in college. The object of my attention was the Spiral Jetty, a land art installation designed and built by American sculptor Robert Smithson. Completed almost 55 years ago, the Jetty, located on the northeastern shore...