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Found this young guy trying to figure out how to get on the other side of the fence
A Lava landscape
The El Malpais lava beds were produced from eruptions of several volcanoes up until about 800 years ago.
Known by many names through the ages, this cuesta rises up from the desert and has meant oasis to centuries of travelers who then left their mark upon it.
Imagine the comfort and refreshment of finding water after days of dusty travel
A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro a popular campsite for hundreds of years.
The pool collects snow melt and rain run-off from the top of the cuesta. Prior to the 1900s, there was a sandbar that rimmed its perimeter. Visitors to the pool could walk or ride their horses around its circumference. Depending on yearly rainfall, today the pool holds approximately 200,000 gallons of water on average.
Here, Ancestral Puebloans, Spanish and American travelers carved over 2,000 signatures, dates, messages and petroglyphs.
One of only a few female signatures
E. Penn Long
Could he be a long lost relative?
If you have at least 1 1/2 hours, and lots of energy, you can continue past the inscriptions and up to the top of the bluff. There, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Zuni Mountains, the volcanic craters of the El Malpais area, and the El Morro valley.
Another reward for hiking the Headland Trail is the Ancestral Puebloan ruin, Atsinna, or “place of writings on rock”. Between approximately 1275 to 1350 AD, up to 1500 people lived in this 875 room pueblo. The location was strategic—it was near the only water source for many miles and located atop a nearly impenetrable bluff.
A Rancher with a sense of humor
Chaco Culture National Historic Park
All roads lead to Chaco. By 1050, Chaco had become the ceremonial, administrative, and economic center of the San Juan Basin. Its sphere of influence was extensive. Dozens of great houses in Chaco Canyon were connected by roads to more than 150 great houses throughout the region.
All roads lead to Chaco. By 1050, Chaco had become the ceremonial, administrative, and economic center of the San Juan Basin. Its sphere of influence was extensive. Dozens of great houses in Chaco Canyon were connected by roads to more than 150 great houses throughout the region.
During the middle and late 800s, the great houses of Pueblo Bonito, Una Vida, and Peñasco Blanco were constructed, followed by Hungo Pavi, Chetro Ketl, Pueblo Alto, and others. These structures were often oriented to solar, lunar, and cardinal directions. Lines of sight between the great houses allowed communication. Sophisticated astronomical markers, communication features, water control devices, and formal earthen mounds surrounded them. The buildings were placed within a landscape surrounded by sacred mountains, mesas, and shrines that still have deep spiritual meaning for their descendants.
Official Greeters
Una Vida
One of the earliest Chacoan great houses
One of the earliest Chacoan great houses
Hungo Pavi
Chetro Ketl
Pueblo Bonito
The site covers 3 acres and incorporates approximately 800 rooms. In parts of the village, the tiered structure was four and five stories high.
The site covers 3 acres and incorporates approximately 800 rooms. In parts of the village, the tiered structure was four and five stories high.
This is what they believe it may have looked like back in the day
The only stone of this kind. Believed to be the signature of the builder.
They believe this would have been the only entrance for Pueblo Bonito
Pueblo del Arroyo
Headed out of the park
Wait, what is that in the middle of the road?
He never budged. Just let us drive around him.
Stopped off for dinner after a long day
Yummy
