We visited the Bandelier National Monument today. The main loop trail travels up the Frijoles (free-HOH-lace) Canyon, home of the Ancestral Pueblo People. Formerly they were known as Anasazi, but that term translates roughly “ancient enemies” so it’s no longer used.

The ancient people of the canyon carved homes in the soft rock called tuff. This rock came from a series of volcanic eruptions over one million years ago. The rock varies in density, giving it a “swiss cheese” look from the natural erosion of wind and water.

View of the remains of some of the dwellings.

These dwellings in front of the cliff were built as replicas of the original dwellings, so we can get an idea of what the original would have looked like. Note that the doors in front are probably wrong. In general, entry was through the roof, not front.

That’s me, looking out an opening.

A look up the canyon to the mountains, including the remains of the volcano.

Technorati Tags:
Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument, Ancient Pueblo

Tags: Destinations, RVing by john
No Comments »

We’ve now spent two days exploring the area around Albuquerque.

Petroglyph National Monument, Boca Negra Canyon

Yesterday morning we explored Boca Negra Canyon in the Petroglyph National Monument.

It’s a great place to get a sense of the past inhabitants of the area.

Also the geology of the region.

Notice the moon in this one.

Sandia Crest

We took the Tram up to Sandia Crest. It’s billed as the world’s longest tram, rising from 6995 feet to 10,678 feet and a 2.5 mile cable. It’s a spectacular ride.

There’s a hiker’s shelter at the top of the peak on the ridge, about a mile from the top of the tram.

The view from the back side of the ridge (there’s a ski area over there).

The sunset on the ride down was special.

Volcanoes

This morning we hiked around the remains of volcanic peaks that have been extinct for 140,000 years.

The peaks themselves are underwhelming for those of us used to Pacific Rim volcanoes such as the peaks of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada. But still, we saw a lot of wildlife, including interesting insects, rabbits, hawks circling overhead, songbirds, and lizards.

Technorati Tags:
Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sandia Crest, Petroglyphs National Monument

Tags: Destinations, Photography, RVing by john
1 Comment »

Traveled from South Haven, Kansas to Amarillo, Texas yesterday. Had planned to stop about 60 miles earlier at McLean, but the campground there was closed. Have to say that we’ve given up on Happy Camper. We haven’t found their information to be good yet.

Today, we fought the wind into Albuquerque, New Mexico. After setting up, we went into old town to look around.

Love the southwest architecture.

We found some cacti in bloom.

Technorati Tags:
RVing, New Mexico, Albuquerque, Old Town Albuquerque

Tags: RVing by john
1 Comment »

Wednesday we left Apple Valley, Minnesota and travelled down I-35 to Independence, Missouri, about 450 miles. It was a long day. We spent Wednesday and Thursday at the Campus RV Park in downtown Independence. Within sight of the Mormon temple there (it’s a different branch of the religion than the Utah branch).

After spending the day there yesterday, so Nikki could see her girlfriend, we left this morning for a trip of about 248 miles down I-35 to Oasis RV Park in South Haven, Kansas. This park is for essentially on the edge of a hay field. The field across the road is fenced with old posts made of branches and trunks from the local trees.

Note the “No Hunting” sign.

Technorati Tags:
Kansas City, Independence MO, Missouri, Mormon, Kansas, South Haven KS

Tags: RVing by john
No Comments »

We spent the day Friday touring around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. We went to the Minnehaha Falls.

There’s an outdoor art museum near Minneapolis.

Squirrels are everywhere.

Technorati Tags:
Minnesota, Motorhomes, Minnehaha Falls

Tags: Minnesota, Motorhomes by john
No Comments »

We left Kennewick Tuesday morning. As we passed Sprague Lake, west of Spokane, we got splattered by a rainstorm of bugs.

Overall, we travelled 415 miles, including crossing the Continental Divide, and ended the day at Indian Creek RV Park and Campground in Deer Lodge MT.

Wednesday we travelled on to 7th Ranch RV Camp in Gerryowen MT.

Thursday morning we visited the Little Bighorn National Monument, the location of Custer’s last stand. Out in Washington, we never had any serious fighting, so we have no battlefields. It was interesting traveling the battlefield and seeing where the action took place, to see how the land itself played a part in the battle.

The rest of the day we travelled, through grey skies and rain showers, through Wyoming Mystery Mountain Resort in Rapid City SD.

This morning we visited Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.

After that visit we travelled on to Camp America Campground in Salem SD.

So far we’ve stayed in Good Sam campgrounds, and we’ve been very pleased with the quality and service. I think that we will continue to prefer Good Sam campgrounds as we travel.

Tomorrow we travel on to Apple Valley MN, our destination for this leg of our trip, where we have reservations at the Lebanon Hills County Park.

Technorati Tags:
Little Bighorn National Monument, Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Good Sam

Tags: Minnesota, Motorhomes, RVing by john
4 Comments »