Lee has been selling his pottery at the San Rafael Swell Viewing Area on I-70 in Utah for thirty years. It’s a beautiful location. To me it seems like every rest stop and viewing area in Utah is better than the last. Lee said he's had people come back five years after their first visit who are so thrilled to see him again, still in the same spot.

He learned about pottery from his uncle on the Navajo Nation reservation. His uncle didn't think he was serious about it, but Lee kept at it and has been making pottery ever since. Lee was brought up on the reservation in a very traditional household and is proud of his heritage. He doesn’t live there any longer, but he still speaks to his children in Navajo.

He said the pandemic has brought more people to browse and talk (and Lee can talk). He says he gets lot of questions about life on the reservation. He appreciates that people ask questions and want to know more, but he does get tired of people asking if the reservation is dangerous. He thinks the current constant news cycle and social media promote fear.

While Lee may not like social media, but did give permission for me to post his photo and story. And, halfway through our session together, he changed hats because he didn't like the one he was wearing—something I totally understand. He preferred the baseball cap friends from Las Vegas had given him.