Gilbert Ray CG
Up at 6:15AM, we had an appointment to get the fuel filter replaced in the truck. There was heavy frost on the windows, but luckily not on the road. We skipped breakfast and left at 7, as the sun brightened the clear sky. The was the first time we would take the Gates Road Pass into Tucson; a ranger at SNP said it was picturesque and we were not disappointed. Densely populated by saguaro, it was a site to behold. Steep,, narrow and windy, we will tow the trailer by a different route when we leave.
The shop needed a couple of hours to diagnose a possible fan clutch problem, so we walked to a breakfast cafe, then sat in the shop lounge waiting for a ride to Arizona State Museum after it opened at 10AM. We spent about three hours learning about eight different tribes of the Sonoran desert comparing their spiritual beliefs and cultural practices and means of subsistence. It was obvious they were no savages; they had to be crafty and resilient to survive in this environment. 
Their spiritual beliefs were woven into everyday life; they saw all of creation as sacred and continuously expressed gratitude for the gifts nature provided. It was interesting how some tribes were nomadic, searching for foods seasonally in different locations. Others would get all that they needed in one location. The pottery and basketry used complex symbols to honor the plants and animals they depended upon. The intricate ritual masks made for ceremonial events also show the interplay of the plants and animals in a cosmic dance.
Craftsmanship was evident despite the limited tools available.
Then, they all were subjugated. After helping the first settlers, the influx of many more settlers pushed them off of their sacred homelands. Fighting with bows and arrows, they were vanquished. Many were summarily shot. Woman and children whisked off into slavery. We were a cruel and aggressive Christian nation and, frankly, still are. Some tribes were moved out of their homelands never to return. Other got the opportunity to return to a small portion of their homelands, the least valuable, of coarse. When anglo farmers saw the natives not using all of the land they were given back; they went to court to take the land away and won. Polar opposite philosophies: one reverent and one aggressive. In my humble opinion, we need wilderness and fallow grounds for animal habitat if nothing more. Without room for plants and animals to thrive, we will not survive.
The truck repairs were costly, hopefully they will be effective. It’s hard to know when they are just pulling your chain, if you really need all the work they recommend? Or, should you do the simple things, e.g., fuel filter? Then, see if there is improvement. We had them adjust the valves and do the filter. We will see next fill up what the MPG is.