40th Anniversary Cookout

Saturday June 23rd, 2007

Posted by Emery

I sent out an email on May 9, 2007 to all DNA Staff.  The email was for the planned Alumni/Staff Cook-out at Wheatfields Lake.  I think everyone should have a copy by now. 

The campground is a first come first serve basis at Wheatfields.  I called the Navajo Parks and Recreation (928) 871-6636/6647.  The cost for camping is $5 per person per night.  You can get permits at the Navajo Parks and Recreation in Window Rock and I will also see if local vendors can provide them.

As to points of interest and things to do on Sunday June 24, 2007.  Canyon De Chelly is only 36 miles from Wheatfields Lake (the visitor center).  It is to lengthy to get into what the canyon offers and therefore the number is (928) 674-5500 and email is www.nps.gov/cach.  You can surf and get info on park hours, back country areas (may need a permit, they are free),  biking, RV information and Park camping information.  

If you wish to go horseback riding in Canyon De Chelly, there are two outfits, Totsoni Ranch and Justin Horse  Tours.  The cost is $15/hour per person and $15/ hour for a guide, in other words, $30 per hour.  For more than six, the tour is divided and the second group will need to hire a guide.  The maximum amount is 12 people.  I would say that Totsoni Ranch is the better of the two.  There tour is 2.5 to 3 hours and is a tour of Spider Rock.  Totsoni Ranch phone is (928) 755-6209 e mail www.totsoniiranch.com and Justin is (928) 674-5678, no email.

There is also campling available at the Spider Rock Campground.  (928) 674-8261 or 877-910-CAMP.  There are nightly fees and no RV hookups.  They also have hogans you can rent for the evening.  It is probably best to call and double check the prices.  My last price list had $29 for a small hogan, $39 for a large hogan, $10 for a regular campsite and $15 to park your RV.

I am still working on the flyer for the picnic that we will include in the packet.  I hope this update helps.  

• From when to when?

Wheatfields Lake:

• Exact location at the lake
• Provide a map with written directions. 

Activities Planned:

Volley Ball         

• Emery will bring

Horseshoes     

• Frank will bring

Fishing             

• Emery called the Fish and Wildlife Department (928) 871-6451/6452.  A fishing license for one day is $7 for both Navajo and non-Navajo.  If you want to purchase a yearly license, it is $18 for Navajo and $35 for non-Navajo.  To add a second rod to your license the cost is $5.  The fishing permits are available at the Fish and Wildlife in Window Rock (Monday thru Friday 8 to 5 only)  I will also check for local vendors.  

Maps and items needed:

 We need to ask staff to bring the following items.  Then update who is bringing what.

• Tarps
• Propane Grills
• Ice chests - Emery is bringing a trough.
• Ice
• Chairs and Tables
• Canopy - Elsa
• Cooks - Secured

Things that must be done:

Items to be purchased by DNA include

• Water - Anita, Ft. Defiance
• Steaks, Burgers, and Hot Dogs - Eugene

Items to be donated

• Plates - Flag
• Utinsels -  Flag
• Napkins - Flag
• Chips - Crownpoint
• Dip - Crownpoint
• Sodas - Flagstaff, Ft. Defiance
• Ice - Admin.
• Steak sauce, ketchup, mustard, Mayo - Tuba
• Lite Salt, Salt, Pepper - Tuba
• jalapenos - Chinle
• Vegetables - Chinle
• Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad,  - Farmington
• Buns (Hot dog, Hamburger) - Ft. Defiance
• Tortillas - Ft. Defiance
• Hopi - Deserts
• Fruit Salad - Shiprock,
• Green Chili - Shiprock
• Corn on the cob - Shiprock and Hopi
• Desert - Mexican Hat, Tuba and Hopi
• Coffee - Admin
• Fruit - Melon (Each office)