Elder Johnny Hullinger: Email 11-10-08

Hey eveybody, it's me again. I've had another wonderful week in Cortez but I received some sad news. I'm getting transferred to Bloomfield, New mexico. I will be with a missionary named Elder Smith. From what I've heard he's kind of struggling right now so it should be a bit tougher. But I'm also excited for this new experience. I had to say goodbye to so many good people which was sad. The hardest were some investigators named Puff and Jim. They are a couple in their 50's and they are some of the best people I have ever met. When I get done with my mission they want to take me to a Broncos Chargers game in Denver. They've really taken care of me and i'm going to miss them so much. They even gave me a McDonalds gift card with 25 bucks on it so that i wouldn't starve in Bloomfield. I was thinking that since it was the holidays you guys could maybe send me the Forgotten Carols cd and maybe we could send Puff and Jim one too. Thank you so much for keeping that money in my account. The other day I bought a hat at the bike shop in Cortez and I wore for a bit and realized that it was a girl hat, so I'll send that home and I was wondering if you guys could send me one or... actually I'll just buy one. It's getting pretty darn cold. It snowed a bunch today in Cortez. Bloomfield is warmer but not by much. And I think that it's a biking area. FUN! Well I can't think of anything to write but we might email tomorrow since today was transfers. I'll send you my address when I find it out. I love you guys so much and I can't get over how fast all this stuff is going. Hunter, I'm praying for you bud. Just work as hard as you can. You are an awesome player and as the coaches see how hard you try they'll have to play you. The Church is true. I Love you guys.

Your Loving son/brother/friend,
Elder Hullinger

Bloomfield, New Mexico

I found some pictures of Bloomfield to share. This is driving into the town. It looks like it's in the middle of no where. "On the way to Farmington in the northwest corner of New Mexico, the small town of Bloomfield is the first major sign of civilization on Route 550 after the long drive from the Albuquerque suburbs.

Salmon Ruin

During archaeological excavation, it was determined that the Salmon Ruin is a multiple, component site, The initial builders and occupants, referred to as the Primary occupation, were colonists from or had very close ties with the inhabitants of Chaco Canyon, some 61 kilometers directly south of Salmon. Absolute dates have established the initial construction phase during A. D. 1088-1090.
The site was two stories high along the back three rows of rooms within the main complex and some of the central rooms of the wings. During excavation a total of 110+ ground floor rooms and an additional 67+ second story rooms were defined for the original town. Based on an interpolation of room counts from excavated areas into areas having undergone limited excavation, the estimated total room count for the ground floor of the original Chacoan structure is approximately 150 rooms.
Primary occupation inhabitants abandoned the site circa A. D. 1130. There was a general hiatus in absolute dates up until circa A. D. 1185. During this hiatus, the site underwent a period of minimal occupation, which has been termed the Intermediate occupation. The site was reoccupied during the end of the 12th century, circa A. D. 1185. This major reoccupation of the site was termed the Secondary occupation. Based on artifact assemblages and the style of architectural modifications, the final occupants of the Salmon Pueblo were from or had very close ties with the inhabitants of the Mesa Verde area, some 77 kilometers northwest of Salmon. Salmon Ruin is named for George Salmon who homesteaded the property in the late 1800's. His family protected the ruin from vandals and treasure hunters for more than 90 years. His homestead and outbuildings remain standing near the ruin.