August 27, 2006
Back from the rim. Took off at 11, drove 198.6 miles, got back to Cave Creek at three. Tried to inventory my digital photo shots but the softwear won't load (or rather the computer won't recognize the camera). Hate this kind of stuff. I've got both video and still images of a whole bunch of great scenes we shot up at Fort Apache and San Carlos.

Ran into an Apache historian at the Hon-dah Resort this morning. Mr. Duncan is part of the Yellowbird Dancers, and they just got back from Eastern Europe where the State Department sent them for good will (he laughed and said "Apaches are the only Amerians who still go over big in that part of the world. They loved us.") He also said that over there they think every American Indian is an Apache. And Geronimo is the big Dog. Evidently this didn't sit too well with the Lakota on the tour. Ha.

The White Mountain Apache Casino Hon-dah was our Top Secret Location for this rendezvous and it was a great one. The hotel is beautiful and centrally located in the cool pines. The Top Secret Writer was totally shocked at how beautiful and large the Apache Reservation is. We have been sold so many images of how awful San Carlos was and how we gave the Apaches dreadful land, but when you see it in person, it's another deal altogether. Here's another shocker: for all their worldwide fame at being such daring and bold raiders, most Apaches are painfully shy. One of our Apache models brought her little sister and she was so shy she couldn't, or wouldn't, talk. I tried to trick her and cajole her into talking (I even paid her $20 to be a Key Grip) but couldn't get her to utter a word. The Top Secret Writer managed to get her to say two words (which was quite amazing in itself). One of the words was "Fifth," as in, "What grade are you in?"

Here's a photo from our session at Fort Apache. This is of Lisa Bahen and in the background is Levi Miles, both Apaches and great models. A stunning beauty, no?



Thanks to Pastor Guenther we learned many Apache customs and words. He was a total joy, and everywhere we went he was recieved with respect and open arms. When we went to the museum at Fort Apache, they charged all of us, but he got in free. Ha. As it should be. Between him and his late father they have served the Apache tribe for over a century. Somone really needs to get up there and video tape him, because when he goes, it's gone.

I've got a very busy week ahead, with an issue going out the door on Thursday, then Rob B. and I are flying to Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita on Friday for a big shindig and pow-wow on how to save the place. I've asked my friends, Steve and Preston Randolph, up in Cody, to drive down and tape some PSAs, plus some video for other projects utilizing the great buildings and streets Old Cowtown has. Should be a great time in Old Cowtown, but first, an issue to get out.

"One of the things that seems to arrive almost before you get started is the bridge you were going to cross when you got to it."
—Old Vaquero Saying