I am pretty emotional as I write this entry; I feel so indebted to Gloria and Joe for sharing so much of themselves with us. If you are reading this my friends, the Beltrans, please know how grateful and thankful I am. You have touched my life in ways you will never know. Also, you have encouraged me, as a human being and an educator, to become more aware and interested in Native Peoples; I thank you! I am posting a few of the photos from your trip to Cross Mountain in Pinos Altos (P.A.), New Mexico-your home!
I hope you all enjoy these!
Here is what Gloria writes:
For those of you that don't know, The cross at Cross Mountain was erected by the residents of P.A. and the Apache. It was a form of a "peace treaty". As long as the cross was up and visible, that meant that there was peace between the residents and the Apache. The original cross was made of wood. When the cross started to fall apart, people from P.A. replaced the wooden cross with one made of medal piping.
I've also attached a picture of a battle site between the Apache and Buffalo Soldiers. The battle site is on the way up to Cross Mountain. It was eerie standing right where you know many Apache fought and died.