October 27, 2011 – Aztec Ruins National Monument

We woke this morning to the cold – 37 degrees – brrr, and cloudy skies.  We hung out for a few hours until it cleared and then off we went to the Aztec Ruins National Monument.  First a side note… we followed the directions from our new GPS – Rand McNally 5510 – that took us to really bad dirt roads (which we decided not to take).   After a couple “recalculating” and no national park signs that we could see, we went back to town to find out where it was.   Lo and Behold, here was a very nice paved road right to the visitor center and the ruins.

So how do I feel about the new GPS?  Well some things I really like but…others like today, it leaves a lot to be desired…  (The GPS could not even find the Farmington PO today..not a good thing!)

Once we found the Visitor Center, we had a great time.

Here is some detailed info on the ruins:

http://www.nps.gov/azru/index.htm

http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/hh/36/hh36t.htm

We started out talking with one of the rangers and then a short film in the visitor center.  Afterwards we took the self guided tour thru these incredible ruins.

These ruins contain over 450 rooms that were built by the ancestors of people of many southwestern tribes.  Although the descendants call their ancestors by different names depending on their tribe, they are generally called “ancestral Puebloans.”

These ruins that have been unearthed are “the West Ruins”.  There are many others in this area but visitors are only allowed in the “West Ruins.”

“ Archeologist Earl Morris began the first scientific excavation in 1916.  He and his crew removed the overburden to reveal the buildings and thousands of artifacts.  These 400 plus rooms enclose a central plaza.  A large, round, semi-subterranean building, the Great Kiva, dominates the plaza.  Within a mile are scores of other structures, indicating an extensive, planned community.”

What amazed me the most is that these ruins are over 1000 years old.  The National Park Service is trying their best to preserve them as well as doing other archeological digs in the area.   And even though they do know a lot, they also know so little.  In 1300 AD, all the peoples who occupied this area were gone.. and they are not sure why (although there are many theories.).

Here is the slideshow of the ruins:

OR

https://picasaweb.google.com/gardenhavens/102711AztecRuins?authuser=0&feat=directlink

The building that amazed me the most was the Great Kiva:

Above is the inside of the Giant Kiva.  Four massive pillars of alternating masonry and horizontal poles held up the ceiling beams, which in turn supported an estimated ninety five ton roof.  Each pillar rested on four shaped stone discs, weighing about 355 pounds apiece.  These discs are of limestone, which came from mountains at least forty miles away.    Now think about that…huge stones being carried at least forty miles.

Here is a picture of those stones..  the stones are original; the pillars are not:

The fire box is in the center.  The purpose of the two floor vaults on either side of the fire box is not certain.  They may have been covered with wood planks and used as foot drums.   Perhaps they were used for germinating seedlings, as similar features are used in some pueblos today.

What a great place.

We are learning more and more about our American Ancestors and it is fascinating us.

We checked into going to Chaco Canyon but right now with all the rain, the roads are poor so we will save that for another time.

 

After our tour, we stopped for lunch in the Aztec Restaurant – great lunch - and then slowly made our way back home.  We have decided to head west tomorrow.  We will be back in this area next spring – so much to do and see – so little time – :-))

Life is good so enjoy today!

October 25 -26, 2011 – Four States in an Instant!

This morning we woke to clouds and decided to do a road trip to the Four Corners Monument.   We headed west out of Farmington thru the town of Shiprock.   But I have to tell you that the most amazing sight is the Shiprock Peak that you see for many miles before the town:

  

 

Dramatic with those clouds, isn’t it!!

Here is some information from the internet:

“Shiprock (Navajo: Tsé Bitʼaʼí, "rock with wings" or "winged rock"^[5]) is a rock formation rising nearly 1,583 feet (482.5 m) above the high-desert plain on the Navajo Nation in San Juan County, New Mexico, USA. It has a peak elevation of 7,177 feet (2,187.5 m) above the sea level. It lies about 12 by 20 miles (19 by 32 km) southwest of the town of Shiprock, which is named for the peak. Governed by the Navajo Nation, the formation is in the Four Corners region and plays a significant role in Navajo religion, mythology and tradition. It is located in the center of the Ancient Pueblo People or Ancestral Puebloan civilization, a prehistoric Native American culture of the Southwest United States often referred to as the Anasazi.

Name

The Navajo name Tsé Bitʼaʼí, "rock with wings" or "winged rock", for the peak refers to the legend of the great bird that brought them from the north to their present lands.^[6][7] The name "Shiprock" or Shiprock Peak or Ship Rock derives from the peak's resemblance to an enormous 19th-century clipper ship. However Anglos first called the peak "The Needle," a name given to the topmost pinnacle by Captain J.F. McComb in 1860.^[7] United States Geological Survey maps indicate that the name "Ship Rock" dates from the 1870s.^[6][7]

Religious and cultural significance

The peak and surrounding land are of great religious and historical significance to the Navajo people. It is mentioned in many Navajo myths and legends. Foremost is the peak's role as the agent that brought the Navajo to the southwest. According to one legend, after being transported from another place, the Navajos lived on the monolith, "coming down only to plant their fields and get water."^[7] One day, the peak was struck by lightning, obliterating the trail and leaving only a sheer cliff, and stranding the women and children on top to starve. The presence of people on the peak is forbidden "for fear they might stir up the chį́įdii (ghosts), or rob their corpses."^[7]

In a legend that puts the peak in a larger geographic context, Shiprock is said to be either a medicine pouch or a bow carried by the "Goods of Value Mountain", a large mythic male figure comprising several mountain features throughout the region. The Chuska Mountains comprise the body, Chuska Peak is the head, the Carrizo Mountains are the legs, and Beautiful Mountain is the feet.^[7]

One legend has it that Bird Monsters (Tsé Ninájálééh) nested on the peak and fed on human flesh. In one version, after Monster Slayer destroyed Déélééd at Red Mesa, he killed two adult Bird Monsters at Shiprock and changed two young ones into an eagle and an owl.^[7] (In another version, the Warrior Twins were summoned to rid the Navajo of the Bird Monsters.^[8])

The peak is mentioned in stories from the Enemy Side Ceremony and the Navajo Mountain Chant. It is associated with the Bead Chant and the Naayee'ee Ceremony.^[7]

Geology

Shiprock is composed of fractured volcanic breccia and black dikes of igneous rock called "minette". It is the erosional remnant of the throat of a volcano, and the volcanic breccia formed in a diatreme. The exposed rock probably was originally formed 2,500–3000 feet (750-1,000 meters) below the Earth's surface, but it was exposed after millions of years of erosion. Wall-like sheets of minette, known as dikes, radiate away from the central formation. Radiometric age determinations of the minette establish that these volcanic rocks solidified about 27 million years ago. Shiprock is in the northeastern part of the Navajo Volcanic Field; the field includes intrusions and flows of minette and other unusual igneous rocks that formed about 25 million years ago. Agathla, also called El Capitan, is another prominent volcanic neck of this field.^{[9] [10]}

^{More information at:}

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiprock

http://sangres.com/newmexico/sanjuan/shiprock.htm

And the trip continued to WOW us:

 

 

 

 

We made it to the Four Corners National Monument.  The monument is run by the Navajo Parks and Recreation.  It is the only point in the United States shared by four states (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah). The monument also marks the boundary between two semi-autonomous native American governments, the Navajo Nation, which maintains the monument as a tourist attraction, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation.  (Yes,  that means being 6 places at the same time – :-)))

Here is the monument – actually it is in the middle of no where:

The official marker:

Andy in 6 places at the same time:

I just had to SIT in 6 places at the same time – LOL:

 

Many of the Navajo and Ute Indians were selling their crafts – such beautiful work.  I would have bought LOTS of stuff but living in a MH makes me be pretty frugal and space aware.   We did try Indian Fry Bread – it is just like our Funnel Cakes back home – different shape.   But it was really good!

We decided to walk off that bread by taking the  Dancing Horse Trail.

 

 

The San Juan River:

The Peak in the background is Ship Rock – we could see it from over 30 miles away – WOW:

Doesn’t it look like a moon scape!!

And we continued our way back thru Colorado:

 

 

ShipRock:

Chimney Rock:

Chimney Rock:

Ship Rock in the middle:

AWESOME!  AWESOME! and even more AWESOME!   We continue to be blown away by the scenery.

Back home, we had dinner at the Elks – Catfish – Yum.   And we got a chance to talk with Bob on the Elks Campground at Navajo Dam.  It is only open from May thru September and rented monthly but we may check it out next spring.

What a SPECTACULAR Day!!!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

We woke to thunderstorms and rain and more rain.   We had hoped to go to the Aztec Ruins but too wet.  So instead we did laundry and shopping and just hung out.  It is getting colder but we hope to hang out here for a few more days before heading west.   More sightseeing to come.

Enjoy today…

October 24, 2011 – Travel to Farmington

Well, we had an interesting start to our travel day. 

This morning our black tank was full…no more would go down…ok, so good thing we are going – :-)).   We get everything put away and go to start the MH – nothing.  Check all the batteries – ok – still nothing.  Now what????  Keep in mind that we have a FULL BLACK TANK so the thought of staying put for a few more days MIGHT be a problem..   Anyway, Andy does some more checking and found out the wire to the starter was loose.   Boom…it starts and we are on our way to the dump to empty both our tanks.   Whew…our angels are looking out for us – :-))

(One note – we did not have a smell even though we were full to the brim.  I started doing the Geo Method with the tanks (Calgon, Tide, but no bleach) and it really does a nice job.)

Once we turned onto US-550 and went north of Bernalillo, the scenery was WOW!!   We climbed steadily until we were over 6000’ and stayed on that plateau all the way to Farmington.  I took over 200 pictures and here is a sampling:

OR

 https://picasaweb.google.com/gardenhavens/102411Travel?authuser=0&feat=directlink

If you cannot get to the slideshows, please email me at gardenhavens@hotmail.com.   Sometimes I just go crazy with photos and just want to share them all. 

A little background… from what I was told there were many volcanoes in this area thousands of years ago.   When they exploded, they left over 1000 feet of volcanic “tuft” – dust, that is…   Now think about that – over 1000’ of dust – holy moly…    Anyway, many of our native Americans built dwellings in this dust – hence, the many cliff dwellings in this area.   As you look at the above photos, you can see that layer of volcanic dust.

Andy and I have been “blown away” by New Mexico.   We have been thru this state a few times since 2008 and never spent the time to explore.  Well, we are going to do some exploring now and expect to be back next spring to do more.

We arrived in Farmington, stopping first for propane, and then settling in at the Elks (thanks Pam and Steve for the info).   We did a short trip to Wal-Mart, then a ride around town.  Farmington has about every store and then some.  Before heading back to the MH, I made a stop at Hobby Lobby to pick up some plastic canvas (for containers for the fridge) and other items – I love that store -

Back at the MH, we stopped in at the Elks for a drink and then just settled in for the evening.   Tomorrow we are heading to the four corners area so stay tuned.

 

Stats:

Miles Traveled: 202 Miles

Routes Traveled:

New Mexico: Cochiti Dam Road; SR-22; I-25 S; US-550 W; US-64 W (with a stop for Propane – thanks Pam and Steve); US-64 E; Main Street – SR-516 E; Airport Road/Municipal Drive

October 22-23, 2011 - Boomers at Cochiti Lake

The highlight of our last two days was the great Happy Hours with fellow Escapees and Boomers.    On Saturday, Vicky and Terry hosted and we were joined by Ron and Elena who just came into Cochiti and who we last saw in February at North Ranch.   Here we are goofing off:

Vicky, Terry, Elena, Ron, and Andy:

 

Vicky, Terry, Elena, Ron, and me:

We repeated our Happy Hour today at our place and we all had another wonderful time.   Hope to see everyone again in Quartzsite or North Ranch later in the season.

Other than that, we just hung out around the motorhome.   It has been great taking it easy the last two weeks but now I am getting ready for more exploring and sightseeing.  So tomorrow we are heading on out towards Farmington.   Stay tuned  

October 18 - 21, 2011 Santa Fe, Friends, and Spiders

Can’t believe I haven’t updated in a couple days.. so…here goes.

Tuesday, October 18

We decided to just hang out today. So this morning, I did a quick clean of the MH and a long vacuum.  I have a young kitty who loves to play in the litter and a long haired kitty who is in the process of shedding – oh my – had to empty the vacuum three times….   Then as I was brushing our hiking shoes of all the dust from yesterday’s hike, I see a familiar truck and trailer pull in across from us…

Oh my, Pam and Steve, who we have not seen since last January at Quartzsite.   Well, we spent the day getting caught up with each other – what a nice surprise.

Wednesday, October 19

The four of us decided to take off and spend the day in Old Towne Santa Fe. 

Did you know that….Santa Fe is not only the capitol of New Mexico, it's also the oldest capitol city in the United States, established in 1598 (as the capitol of Nuevo Mexico, a province of New Spain).  Interesting.

Old Town Santa Fe, like many other old towns, has a main plaza and a Catholic Church not too far away.  And today, many of the buildings surrounding the plaza are filled with shops and galleries.  So come along with me in pictures..

 

If you read the above, the picture below is the oldest public building in the U.S.:

That building was right on the plaza – notice the leaves of the trees changing:

There were many native Americans selling items by that building.  I bought 2 pair of earrings that were pretty unusual.  They were called Naza which is a Navajo word meaning circle.  (I will post a picture another time.)

More sights:

 

 

 

Lots of sculptures and paintings (murals).

Goofing off – Pam, Steve, Andy:

Andy and I:

And the main church right near the historic plaza:

The City of Santa Fe was founded in 1610, and in that same year the first church was erected on this site.  The Indian revolt of 1680 destroyed the existing church, which was not rebuilt until 1714.  The only part of this church still existing is the Chapel of Our Lady, La Conquistadora.

The first Indian of North America to be promoted a Saint:

The doorway of the church which depicts various scenes or events in the history of the Faith in Santa Fe:

This alter screen was carved in 1986.  In the center is a statue of St. Francis that dates from the 1700’s.  Surrounding the statue are paintings of the Saints of the New World:

This Crucifix is an exact replica of the crucifix in Assisi, Italy, from which our Lord bent down and told St. Francis: “Francis, go and repair my house.” :

This is the Baptismal Font which is made of Brazilian granite.  It is eight-sided for the eighth day (Easter) which marks the new creation begun by Christ’s resurrection.  The pool is cruciform to remind us of the price of His love for us.  It has three steps down into the water to call to mind the three days Jesus spent in the tomb before rising.  The grill has symbols of the four Evangelists casting the net for the fishing of men.  The font is located on an axis between the main doors of the church and the altar to remind us all of our baptismal journey. 

  

This is the Archbishop’s Chair:

This is the La Conquistadora Chapel.  It was built to honor La Conquistadora, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was brought to Santa Fe in 1626 by a Franciscan priest, Fray Alonso Benavides.  Originally named Our Lady of the Rosary, this statue was later entitled Our Lady of the conquest, a name it was given in 1693 when the Spanish settlers were able to peaceably re-enter Santa Fe.

And the BEAUTIFUL Stained Glass Windows – here is a sample:

 

 

  The Oldest Church in the U.S.:

 

The Oldest House in the USA:

We did not go into the oldest house or church – so no pictures of the inside.

We made out way back and found out that two other SKP Boomers were at Cochiti Lake so we left a message on their RV.  Well a little after 4, we all got together for Happy Hour and Terry and Vicky joined us.  Our Happy Hour turned into an impromptu party that lasted well into the evening.   Did I say I love the Escapee Club!!!!    What a wonderful day!

Thursday, October 20

After saying our goodbyes to Pam and Steve, I went to the local laundry – oh my, no water..   So off we went to Bernalillo for laundry, then shopping, etc. – I even got a haircut (not too bad).  On our way back home, we saw this:

 

We originally thought it was a dust storm but when we got back we could smell smoke – nothing on the news so not sure what it was.   A long day for us…..oh my..

Friday, October 21

We took a walk today up to the overlook and the visitor center for Cochiti Dam.

From the overlook – still cannot find out what the smoke was from – sorry:

 

 

Interesting info on the Dam:

Interesting info on the Rio Grande:

On our walk back we saw this HUGE spider – yikes:

 

Scary.

And we took it relatively easy the rest of the day.  

Enjoy today!