Our only day trip out of Santa Fe was a 2-hour roundtrip to Bandalier National Monument which is maintained by the U.S. National Park Service.
A description from their website:
Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged but beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back over 11,000 years. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities.
There are numbered markers along the way that explain what you are seeing. Unfortunately, my boys were not at all interested in the history of the area. They just wanted to walk.
There were lots of stairs and ladders to climb along the way.
You can just barely make out some of the petroglyphs here.
And there is still evidence of the damage received by the worst flooding the park had ever seen, on September 13, 2013.
At the end of the second trail there were 4 sets of ladders that went straight up.
And then teeny tiny stairways built into the rock.
My college boy and I made it up that first set but then turned back.
We had already walked a couple of miles on a very hot day so they were ready to go.
All in all I thought it was worth the trip. We had to park in White Rock and shuttle in (a 20 minute ride) because of the flood damage and limited parking. The fee was $12 per vehicle which I thought was reasonable. If you are ever in the area, I would definitely recommend a visit.
Have a terrific Tuesday.
There are different trails you can take throughout the park, so with map in hand, we set out to explore.
The Main Loop Trail is just outside the Visitor's Center and is a 1.2 mile loop.
There were lots of stairs and ladders to climb along the way.
You can just barely make out some of the petroglyphs here.
And there is still evidence of the damage received by the worst flooding the park had ever seen, on September 13, 2013.
At the end of the second trail there were 4 sets of ladders that went straight up.
And then teeny tiny stairways built into the rock.
We had already walked a couple of miles on a very hot day so they were ready to go.
Our next stop will be to the very small town of Las Vegas, NM.
19 comments:
Sounds like a good place to go in the cooler weather. We went to Montezuma's Castle in Arizona. They had cliff dwellings there, but you couldn't climb up into them. I'd love to go up the ladders to see in.
I love you last picture --- that is once tenacious cactus. LOL
I did a two-day, 26 mile hike in the back canyons of Bandelier, with a high school class my senior year - there are many more dwellings and that exist off the "beaten path". Such a cool spot to visit - I haven't been back since I was a kid, but just might have to make that trip next year! Your boys may not have been interested that day, but they will remember it later in their lives. Happy Tuesday, Tammy - XOXO
Hi Tammy
Wonderful.... Exploring is fun....isn't it? HAve missed so much on blogfront these days :)...
Thanks for sharing.... we get to see so many places.... You are so much intro travelling... Great Tammy...
I've wanted to visit that park for years but we haven't made it yet. Your photos remind me a little of the cave dwelling in Colorado near Co. Springs. Memories being made with your boys. Precious. Thanks for sharing Tammy.
Blessings,
Betsy
That looks like an interesting and fun place to visit. Another place to add to my list! :-)
Thank you for taking me along on your exploration of this amazing land. I would not have been able to do the steep stairs or ladders so I am grateful for you and your boys doing it for me. Travel really does broaden our horizons. Beautiful week dear...
Tammy, I know how much walking you do on a daily basis, and so I can completely see you trekking those trails! Kudos to you! Thanks for the tour!
Poppy
Though I live in NM, I've never been to Bandelier. I would really like to go someday. It looks like you had a very good visit, even if your boys weren't overly enthusiastic. :) Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful place to visit. I would have enjoyed reading about the history of the people that made the cliffs their home. Hope your week is going well. Heather
We live in such an amazingly diverse world. I love seeing posts like this that take me to places I've never seen before.
oh man, just gorgeous!!!
Great photos, Tammy!!! Glad to have vicariously enjoyed this outing (though I could have used the calories y'all must have burned!). Exploring is a good thing... especially when enjoyed with your children. blessing and hugs ~ tanna
Dearest Tammy,
So glad that you managed to go there, even if the interest in the history of the different markers seemed little. They were there and you got photos and who knows later they will appreciate it when things get more into perspective in their lives.
One thing I noticed that your Benjamin is really catching up on his brother's height. Funny to see such a difference in one 'short' year...
You did cover a lot during this special vacation and I never knew about this park.
Hugs,
Mariette
It looks like an amazing place to visit, so much to see! xx
What an interesting hike. You made some great memories.
Great photos, Tammy!
But I wouldn't climb those ladders for all the tea in China! ha ha Did you climb them? Brave girl if you did.
Thanks for sharing your trip with us! Susan
Your photos as always do justice to to your blog...love the history and the story you told about the park. Lovely! Xo
Gorgeous photos, that is just like boys isn't it? They like to be there but aren't all that interested in the history.
Hugs to you,
Meredith
Gorgeous....thanks for sharing. Much of it reminded me of some of the descriptions in a book I'm reading by a "walker"; A Walk Through Time by Colin Fletcher who walked through the Grand Canyon back in the 1950's.
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