Our Junior Ranger

Kenneth wanted to take Caleb to the Pecos National Monument to familiarize him with the Native American culture around New Mexico.  There is also a significant amount of Civil War history there, so he wanted to "start the learning."  We took the short route that included two kivas and the church.

As we left, we were given a booklet for Caleb to work on, and if he completed several of the activities, he could become a Junior Ranger.  So we went home and completed more than enough of the exercises to qualify, so early on July 4, we went back to the park.

On the way down, Caleb asked me if the church was older than Pocahontas.  "Well, I think it was built in about 1608, so yes, probably."  "No, Grandma, Pocahontas was born in 1595."  By that time I had read in his booklet that the pueblo was probably built in 1630, so I said, "Well, Caleb, Pocahontas was about 30 when the pueblo was built."  "No, Grandma," he said, "she died when she was 21."  Alrighty, then.  Obviously, I am not up on my Pocahontas history.

Anyway, when we arrived, a Ranger came out, had Caleb take the pledge, and gave him a badge, a patch, and a pin.  It was quite fun.

Then later in the day, at the 4th of July flag raising in the Canyon, he led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  Since he had said it every day at his preschool, he knew it well and it was very cute watching a 4-year-old lead the group . . . and watching the adults around him.

This was a memorable 4th-of-July for all of us!