Eighteen GCAS members and guests enjoyed our most recent field trip on June 1, 2025, to the Twin Pines archaeological site in the Upper Mimbres Valley. The GCAS’s own Marilyn Gendron wrote:
“…I am happy to report that 18 people showed up for the Twin Pines field trip…..With the 20 students, 4 volunteers and [directing archaeologist Fumi Arakawa] and Chris Adams, that was a group of 44….Eduardo, Mark, Steve & Beth, Ken & Ellen all camped in a grove at the intersection the nite before,…Tori and Jim camped a little ways away and they had a fun time.
“…We went up to the site….not a big hike…and were welcomed by Fumi, then went down by the parking and trees for lunch and everyone including us introduced ourselves individually to the group. [The field school] liked the cold drinks we brought. Chris did a good talk about copper, then we went up to the site and he spread out maps and LiDAR from drones and gave us a run down about all the years at Twin Pines and South Diamond Creek nearby that is an even bigger site. All the kids were by their separate excavations and they told us about what they had found, their questions and theories. Very eager, endearing students. I suggested they consider possible talks later [for the GCAS.] Rhianna was at the great kiva excavation which was most interesting, 20 ft round with seating stones, entrance ramp, hearth, deflector and a 4” crystal found under the center post location….
“…It started to sprinkle and [Fumi, Chris, and the field school] packed everything up and left with a bunch of cold Gatorade. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Marilyn, Tori and Jim were spending Sunday nite but I don’t think they went to Beaverhead for the hot dog/burger party. The kids’ tents probably got rained on that nite.”
Big thanks to Marilyn for that trip report, and to Torie for the photos. What a lucky trip, with good weather and a very welcoming archaeological crew!