Acoma Indian Pueblo
One of the most unusual settlements in the Western Hemisphere is this ancient "city in the sky," which stands hundreds of feet above the surrounding land on top of a sandstone mesa. Acoma Pueblo was founded in the 12th century A.D. or possibly earlier. It is the oldest inhabited village in the United States. The entire pueblo, including the 1629 Franciscan mission church of San Estevan, has been proclaimed a National Historic Landmark. The Visitor's Center has a fine museum, featuring One Thousand Years of Clay, Pottery, and History. A resident of the Pueblo will give a the group a guided tour, after which there will be free time for exploring on your own and opportunity to purchase works produced by Acoma artists and artisans. Acoma pottery in particular is highly prized among Indian crafts. For those who want to take lots of pictures, the Pueblo charges a $10 camera fee ($20 for videocameras). This is in addition to the tour price. Those who prefer not to use their own cameras can buy picture postcards at the site. The 5-hour tour will depart from the Sheraton Old Town Hotel at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday and return at approximately 1:30 p.m. Cost: $35.

A Day in Santa Fe
Gray Line has modified their standard tour to better meet the interests of ASI members and to provide more leisure time in Santa Fe. The bus will take the most direct route to Santa Fe so that arrival time will coincide with the openings of the three museums at Museum Plaza. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture houses contemporary and traditional American Indian arts and crafts, with a multimedia exhibition that explores Southwest Indian history and culture from native perspectives. The Museum of International Folk Art is dedicated to folk art from around the world, including toys, textiles, masks, and decorative graphics. The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian focuses on traditional American Indian arts and crafts, with emphasis on Navajo culture. You will have approximately 2 hours to explore any or all of these places. At noon, the group will briefly tour the Loretto Chapel and see the miraculous staircase. Afterward, you will be on your own to enjoy lunch at any of the numerous restaurants in the general vicinity of the Plaza, visit the many galleries and shops, or do some sightseeing at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, the American Institute of Indian Arts featuring paintings and sculpture by contemporary Indian artists, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Palace of the Governors, the Original Trading Post, St. Francis Cathedral, or the Archdiocese Museum & Lamy Commemorative Garden, all of which are within approximately 4 to 6 blocks from the plaza. A walking map of the Plaza area will be provided, and the guide will provide further information on places to visit and things to do. The tour fee includes a pass for admission to all the museums. Departure from the Sheraton Old Town Hotel will be at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday with return at approximately 5:00 p.m. Cost: $43.

Practical information
To sign up for either tour, call Gray Line of Albuquerque directly. The toll-free number is 800-256-8991. Reservations can also be made by e-mail (grayline@rt66.com). Be sure to state that you are signing up for one of the American Society of Indexers's tours, lest there be confusion with the standard tours offered other days of the week. Reservations will be accepted anytime from January 17, 2000, up through Friday, May 12. Payment for postconference tours must be made directly to Gray Line of Albuquerque. A minimum of 5 participants is required for each of these ASI-sponsored tours. At the end of each tour, an envelope will be passed around the bus to collect tips for the driver and guide.