Jun 03, 2015

We headed off early before it got too hot for a round trip out to the Bandelier National Monument (a National Park) and Jemez State Monument. We were going to go to Albuquerque for some more Route 66 sights but they must have been a long way to the west of the town because when we checked the GPS it was a long distance and we wanted to get back to Santa Fe before it got too hot so didn't go there and were glad we didn't as we had a chance to wander around the town before heading back to the hotel for a drink and to chill a little before dinner. The sights we saw today were spectacular on a very grand scale. They were every bit as spectacular as the Texan Grand Canyon we visited a couple of days ago but the cliffs, escarpments and mesas were just separated by more land between (usually) and the colours of the sand / rock varied from sand white to deep ochre red and almost black and everything in between. The photos really don't do it justice and the 2D effect also diminishes it. Ah well, will list them anyway. We reached 2,776m before we started to descend. It was beautifully cool at the high altitude and got very hot very quickly as we descended. By the way the Santa Fe region is known among other things for it's beautiful torquoise jewellery and there is heaps of it for big dollars ... as well as beautiful clothing ... again for big dollars and I have to confess I got myself a pretty large piece of torquoise today ... a sun hat to replace the one I lost. Not as much fun as a stunning piece of jewellery but will be more effective at keeping the sun off the face neck and ears. Ah well.



We headed for Los Alamos and the sights burst upon us. This is a rock called the Camel. I have to thank Ken for this one, I was busy fueling up and didn't see it until we were heading off.



And these are a collection of sights between Los Alamos and White Rock.

And a shot from the Overlook at White Rock of the Rio Grande. Reminded us all of many western movies we saw in our childhood.

Part of the Valle Grande, the description below is self explanatory.

A waterfall as we descended (have to look to see) doesn't do it justice.

South of Jemez State Monument and Jemez Springs, this is two shots (above and below) from the area called Las Casitas. There were so many spectacular sights but limited spots to pull over safely.

Awesome red cliffs as we head further south.



Back into Santa Fe and this is the entrance to a gallery.



Another gallery commemorating the Santa Fe Trail which runs through this area which is where eastern residents of early America peeled off the Oregon Trail and headed instead to the Californian goldfields.

Bits and Bobs:



Love all the overpass bridges we have come across in New Mexico, they all have some sort of Indian motifs on them. This one was on the way north out of Santa Fe.



And our coffee spot in Jemez Springs had this sign. Thought it was appropriate for Norm and Ken before their first coffee in the morning.