Digging the Bones: Recreation and Education at Ghost Ranch by Laura Lee

Imagine spending hours in the hot New Mexican sun, digging in the hard soil with a dentist’s pick, looking for small black specks that could possibly be dinosaur bones. Now, imagine a likely candidate for such hot, hard work. If the first images that come to mind are grad students studying paleontology or academics doing field research, then you haven’t met Bonnie and Rita.

Rita Cordery and Bonnie Zeugin are not your average paleontologists. Every summer for the past eight years, they have packed up their hats and sunscreen, kissed their grandchildren goodbye and headed to Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. They have withstood 100+ degree heat, dehydration and, worse, the onslaught of the tenacious “no-see-ums,” the tiny bugs that defy bug spray, dryer sheets and even netted hats. “Its all worth it,” says Rita. “We can’t wait to get here and we hate to leave! My friends think I’m crazy for doing this but they’re supportive, then I send them a card and rub it in. We just love it!”

Bonnie and Rita spend a week every summer as participants of the Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center’s Summer Program. For the past fifty years, Ghost Ranch has offered educational courses in subjects ranging from blacksmithing to environmental spirituality, calligraphy to painting with watercolors. Families come to Ghost Ranch for a learning vacation, as an opportunity for adults to gain knowledge and new skills while children and grandchildren are engaged in a full camp experience.

Bonnie’s daughter first came to Ghost Ranch for a course in calligraphy, then told Bonnie about the variety of classes offered. “Now my daughter brings her daughter. That’s three generations,” says Bonnie. “And Bonnie is the reason I’m here,” says Rita. “Every year I just can’t wait to come. This is what keeps us young.You’ve got to keep moving. We walk and swim. Bonnie has the most beautiful crawl.” “Slow and steady,” pipes in Bonnie. “But she doesn’t stop moving,” says Rita.

Dig up the rest of this article in the May/June 2009 issue of Horizons.

Call (866) 802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the May/June 2009 issue (HZN-09-220; $4 plus shipping).

SarahLee Morris, resource coordinaor for Palo Duro Presbytery, finds new life by offering spiritual direction and consultation in Christian formation.

photo by Laura Lee.

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Dig up the rest of this article in the May/June 2009 issue of Horizons. Call (866) 802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the May/June 2009 issue (HZN-09-220; $4 plus shipping).	Digging the Bones Recreation and Education at Ghost Ranch by Laura Lee Imagine spending hours in the hot New Mexican sun, digging in the hard soil with a dentist’s pick, looking for small black specks that could possibly be dinosaur bones. Now, imagine a likely candidate for such hot, hard work. If the first images that come to mind are grad students studying paleontology or academics doing field research, then you haven’t met Bonnie and Rita. Rita Cordery and Bonnie Zeugin are not your average paleontologists. Every summer for the past eight years, they have packed up their hats and sunscreen, kissed their grandchildren goodbye and headed to Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. They have withstood 100+ degree heat, dehydration and, worse, the onslaught of the tenacious “no-see-ums,” the tiny bugs that defy bug spray, dryer sheets and even netted hats. “Its all worth it,” says Rita. “We can’t wait to get here and we hate to leave! My friends think I’m crazy for doing this but they’re supportive, then I send them a card and rub it in. We just love it!” Bonnie and Rita spend a week every summer as participants of the Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center’s Summer Program. For the past fifty years, Ghost Ranch has offered educational courses in subjects ranging from blacksmithing to environmental spirituality, calligraphy to painting with watercolors. Families come to Ghost Ranch for a learning vacation, as an opportunity for adults to gain knowledge and new skills while children and grandchildren are engaged in a full camp experience. Bonnie’s daughter first came to Ghost Ranch for a course in calligraphy, then told Bonnie about the variety of classes offered. “Now my daughter brings her daughter. That’s three generations,” says Bonnie. “And Bonnie is the reason I’m here,” says Rita. “Every year I just can’t wait to come. This is what keeps us young.You’ve got to keep moving. We walk and swim. Bonnie has the most beautiful crawl.” “Slow and steady,” pipes in Bonnie. “But she doesn’t stop moving,” says Rita. Dig up the rest of this article in the May/June 2009 issue of Horizons. Call (866) 802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the May/June 2009 issue (HZN-09-220; $4 plus shipping). SarahLee Morris, resource coordinaor for Palo Duro Presbytery, finds new life by offering spiritual direction and consultation in Christian formation. photo by Laura Lee. Other Articles Online This Issue Discerning Your Volunteer Path Transformative Travel:... Free to Be the Church:... Digging the Bones:... Gathering PW Mission Pledge:... Strengthening the PC(USA)	Current Issue MAY/JUNE 2009 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue to Horizons or call (866) 802-3635 the May/June 2009 issue, HZN-09-220 ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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