Thursday, April 5, 2012 – We drove out with Joann to Desert View, the farthest most Eastern point in Grand Canyon National park.
The Desert View Watchtower, designed by Mary Colter in 1932 as the Visitor’s Center for the eastern side of the Canyon, is one of my most favorite places…….
It was built of stone and steel…..fashioned after the ancient Native American ‘watchtowers’ found throughout the Southwest, only on a much larger scale. Each stone was hand placed….and the openings, which seem random, afford wonderful views of the Canyon.
Inside the main section, the tower is circular, open 3 stories high in the center……
And decorated on all walls with art created by Hopi artist, Fred Kaboti. The artwork depicts Indian ceremonial paintings and designs that have been passed down through the generations.
Walls, alcoves, ceilings, almost every surface is covered with Spiritual art……
And the lighting hidden in these earthenware jars adds an element of mystery…..as well as the human touch….. in the familiar objects of daily life.
Mary Colter truly created a place which allows one to feel the spiritualism of the Canyon and her peoples……
A place where one can feel the presence of those ancient ones……who left their handprints in this Canyon….throughout time.
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