The Morning Talking Circle was held in the parking lot of the Tucumcari Inn. This would be Frank Adakai's last circle with us as the New Mexico Co-Ordinator since he needed to return to his family in Albquerque. He had his grand-daughter Shundiin with him the last couple of days... and he shared with us in the Circle that it was important to include our children, grand-children, neices... nephews.. and neighborhood young people in circles like this and in the Ceremonies and Events that teach the young our ways and cultures. All of us in the Morning Circle agree with Frank that this is very important to do. Many of us in the Core Team are parents, grand-parents, uncles, aunties... and would love to be able to share the experiences and lessons of this Walk with our family members.. young and old... but it's just not possible under these conditions to have them with us. So.. for those family members and friends of the Walkers and White Bison Staff Members that 'follow' this Journey via this website... "WE LOVE YOU AND WE MISS YOU - YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS, PRAYERS, and TALKING CIRCLES"!

We were joined by many from the Community. A local Navajo Man gave the Morning Blessing... and several of the Community Members shared their gratitude for what we are accomplishing on this Walk. There were tears.. and smiles.. good words and good feelings as we closed the Circle. When it was time to 'start walking' there were many who joined us for a few miles.. and some even walked in the relay with us until time for the lunch break. A special Thanks to the Community Walkers for this day:

• Janice Noreaugo
• Melynda Murphy
• Robin Tolino
• Paul Mares
• Matt Apodaca
• Joseph Quintana
• Jay Harrison
• Jorey Harrison
• Matthew
• T. Martinez
• Marlena

(my apologies for any mis-spellings - some names are difficult to read)

Before we left the Town of Tucumcari we were invited to the local radio station to talk 'on the air' about the Sacred Hoop and the Purpose of this Walk. Thank you to KTNM (AM 1400) and KQAY (FM 92.7) for their coverage of our Walk and our event in this fine city.

As we took the lunch time break for a meal and a short rest... we noticed that clouds were beginning to gather in the sky. By the time the day's walk was finished and we had reached our destination for the evening - the final Rest Area a mile from the New Mexico / Texas borders on I-40 East - the wind was really blowing strong and the clouds were getting thicker and darker. The 'camp kitchen' was quickly set up and dinner cooked as the campers began setting up their tents behind walls of the covered picnic sites scattered thru-out the rest area. The walls served as a good wind break and we were grateful to have them. A few of us were sharing conversation and an evening coffee break after dinner when the winds became threatening and the lightning began in the darkness of the western sky. We hurried and 'closed the kitchen'...putting pots and pans and food away as quickly as possible and scurrying around to retrieve the items being blown across the camp site as the winds increased in strength.

The storm was coming down I-40.. with our Camp Site in the dead center of it's path. With the kitchen secured, we all took cover in our tents, vehicles, and under tarps in the covered picnic areas. But... just before the full impact of the storm reached our Camp Site... there was - what one of my grand-daughters calls...a "Wondermous" thing that happened ! The Storm split itself into... and went to the left and right of our Camp. We sat in the midst of the Storm.. with only a slight drizzle of rain for a few minutes... and watched as the winds and the lightning moved around us. It was a beautiful sight to behold. When the storm had finished it's work near our Camp Site.. the two sections came back together and continued the path directly down I-40 toward the East. Wow... Thanks Creator!

Once the Storm had passed, the winds were gone and the air smelled clean and fresh. The rain had fell on either side of our Camp.. and the tiny flowers in the fields were dancing in the breeze and enjoying the water given to them by the passing storm. There is nothing quite as awesome and amazing as Mother Earth and how she cares for the plants, animals, air... and Walkers on the Journey of the Sacred Hoop. We all came out of our nooks and crannies we had taken shelter in... and we marveled at what had happened. We slept well this night.... secure in knowing that we are taken care of by a Higher Power.