BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT NM

 We travelled a short distance outside Santa Fe NM to the interesting and historic Bandelier National Monument.

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.

On the route to the site, the landscape changed to the mostly volcanic rock evident at the early settlement location.

The route to the valley below was a sad surprise as last years fires and floods had scared the landscape.

The visitor centre was not fully operational and parking was limited.

The park service has plans to bus visitors from the nearby town of White Rock starting in June 2012

An ancient oven marks the start of the trail walk to this special area.

The canyon cliffs appear.

The place had a feeling of community.
Thousands of years ago hundreds of people gathered in these communial settings.

The old walls were the markers of the size of the community.

A complex construction of walk ways bring the visitors in direct contact with the dwellings.

Ladders, such as was used in the past, enabled a visitor to experience the interior of the dwelling.

A view of the community from the cliffs.

Dwellings at the base of the cliff.

Many of the caves were huge with different levels.

Fantastic formations.

Watch Your Step

Honey, I'm home!!

Terrific views of the old dwellings.

Examples of the wall drawings.

Drawing discovered in a dwelling.

On the trail exiting the site there was still lots of evidence

of last years forest fires.

A view of "Camel Rock" on highway from

BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT.

Happy Easter from Santa Fe NM

The GRAND CANYON AZ

During our journey to Williams AZ on the old highway 66 from Las Vegas, we knew they had received some snow. On arrival we were surprised by the amount of the "white stuff".

 Maggie was quick to jump in and enjoy. 

We booked into a great RV Park and found out they had received 4ft of snow.

Williams is on Route 66 and the town is "old school".

Everywhere you look, the "Sixities" rule!

Just one of the many uses for snow.

Every morning a wild west show entertains the hotel and RV park guests prior to the Grand Canyon Railway   leaving for the Grand Canyon Park. Apparently the same  outlaws rob the train en route to the Grand Canyon.

An evening sunset in Williams AZ.

Since we wanted to see the Grand Canyon on our own time schedule, we decided to drive.

On arrival at the south rim, our first view of the canyon was impressive.

All viewing sites were wide open to the canyon and at first we were a little nervous moving around the edge of a 4000 ft deep canyon.

After a short while we adjusted to the setting  and  just totally enjoyed the canyon.
We visited every viewing point so please enjoy our views.

A mule trail down the canyon.

Guess who loved the Grand Canyon.

The Colorado River

 The Colorado River

 After taking numerous pictures very close to the edge of the canyon, I turned around and a large buck and his gang  flew by. All I could think about was do not back up! 

 The Watch Tower was build in 1930.

It is the last viewing site on the south rim and one of the best.

A great visit was had by all.