nazSTUFF - Intuitive Hiker Beginnings

Rascal Inquires, " If You Are Not Concerned About the Future, Then You Haven't Been Paying Attention." This, then is our advertising campaign, to contribute to your well being.

Intuitive Hiker Journal Reports

"Northern Arizona Experience" - CLICK ON ANY IMAGE for more information and design details. Make changes.

Dear Reader... This is an interpretive series of pages taken from the personal journal of Mr. JH Thomas. For over 25 years Mr. Thomas hiked, explored and photographed the limestone canyons and vicinity of northern Arizona. As a result he recorded several scientific "firsts" in archaeology regarding the activities of the ancient people we now call Sinagua. He also acquired some basic knowledge of local geology, the native plants and wildlife. It is a pleasure to present some of these observations in this format. Sincerely, John Vroom, Editor

Since moving to Arizona in 1978 Thomas was obsessed with the regional treasures of plants, animals, geology and prehistory. Behind his oil paintings and nearly everything on this web site are thousands of day hikes and explorations, always following his intuition and curiosity, following the creed of "taking pictures and leaving footprints." This map focuses in on the huge territory he came to call his own. -JV

Introduction:

Thomas' connection with Northern Arizona began in 1952 when he was just nine years old. His family was traveling through Arizona at that time using the now famous Route 66 because at the time it was the only highway across the state.

This stretch of the old "mother road" remains intact today. It lies east of Flagstaff connecting the Flagstaff Mall with Walnut Canyon National Monument. Coincidentally, this is the same stretch whereupon his family camped outside their car in 1952 for a few days, beneath the tree you see in the center of this photo. Yes it is still here and he often sits under it today, reading and contemplating how he came to spend his life here.

The point of the story is this: When he sat under this tree at nine years he looked toward the mountains and vowed, as much as a nine-year-old can, that "when I grow up this is where I want to live." There is no reasoning behind this promise nor does he recall today any momentous feeling that he had then. But he never forgot it. Throughout his life in the years that followed he knew he was going to return, with no real intellectual reason, just a conviction, a feeling of being home, something familiar. In the mid 1970s when his business was thriving he realized that no better opportunity would appear, so the process of investigation as an adult with a family and a business began. In October of 1978 he moved home and business from California.

Without applying any metaphysical meaning to it, he knows now that the place where this tree grows is "downtown Sinagua," where, about 900 years ago, thousands of thriving people lived in the pueblos and pithouses we now find. This spot is directly between what we now call Elden Pueblo and Walnut Canyon. It is ALSO about a mile from a canyon filled with petroglyphs, adjacent as well to many pithouse villages, and the entire area is saturated with artifacts and evidence of habitation. Little did he realize then that all of that was beneath his feet. It was just a feeling that compelled him. familiarity.

And thus the life decision that brought him here was made.

Eagle Kachina Dancer Parrot Abstract print

Soon after moving his complete printing business here he became acquainted with the Hopi culture in a way that predicted his future although he didn't realize it at the time. With publishing motives only he purchased some authentic Hopi artwork from Hopi kachina carver, Neil David Sr. These first published images included an abstract drawing of a parrot, which would make its signifance known later.

His business produced t-shirts, tote bags and more, imprinting these designs for several years in Flagstaff. His largest retailer for these designs was in Sante Fe, New Mexico, often reordering as much as $15,000 worth of merchandise at one time. His ignorance about the local prehistory and the part this "parrot" would play in his own evolution was not apparent for several years.

Publishing this Hopi design made his company well known amongst other Native American artists and he attracted several who also offered their work for publication, both Hopi and Navajo. In this process he became acquainted with Hopi silversmith Michael Sockyma, or "Young Corn" as he is known at home on the reservation. Michael became a friend and remains one today. He has published many of Michael's designs and enjoyed his cultural input and answers to many cultural questions over the years.

In the summer of 1980 Michael made a gesture that would change his opinion of Northern Arizona forever. Thomas and his wife were invited to the August Hopi Snake Dance. With no point of reference he accepted and attended, not knowing exactly what he was in for. After hours of sitting in the hot sun the sound of rattles, chanting and stomping feet entered the plaza. In that moment he realized that he had entered another world and the unconscious inspiration behind his coming here was suddenly apparent. We, modern man, have no real comprehension of what "primitive" people really knew about this world and our place in it. This dance made it apparent. It changed his life.

These earlier experiences created a drive to know more, to explore and seek satisfaction for this hunger and familiarity he felt. He became an amateur archaeologist overnight. -JV

More Info on our BLOG