We're at Santa Fe Skies RV Park for several days getting to know the area. This north central part of New Mexico is way different than our last journey through the state as we took I-10 across the south. Here we find beautiful mountains, mesas, canyons and rivers with lush green vegetation and pine trees.
Today we took a 180 mile loop trip out to Los Alamos and the Jemez Mountains. We got a bit lost in Los Alamos but I got us through it and we found the Visitor Info and downtown just in time for lunch. We ate at the busy Central Grill, where all the locals eat, and had a leisurely lunch. I ordered my enchiladas with "Christmas" chilis...meaning both red and green sauce. Lucky I read the tourist info before going to the restaurant so I knew what the waiter meant.
We toured the Los Alamos Museum which is housed in a guest house on the
Fuller Lodge property. The Lodge served as initial housing for all the scientists in 1943. The Museum had just the right amount of info on the history of the area beginning with volcanic action to form mountains, influx of Indian tribes, building of the Boys Ranch school which was then taken over by the U.S. Governement to house the secret atomic project. The scientists and military people who were brought in were unable to tell their families what and why they were at this location.
Our next stop was at White Rock Overlook where we could see the Rio Grande River meandering through its canyon. A gentleman approached us and said "South Dakota?" We figure he must have read our license plate. He introduced himself and told us he worked at the Labs for 37 years, brought in as military personnel to guard the place and then hired on as a nuclear materials specialist. But he was born in SD and wanted to tell us where all his relatives are in that state. He did NOT want to stop talking.
Finally, we were able to gracefully depart and head for our tour of the Jemez mountains where we took State Route 4 up to 11,200 feet and then descended to the Valles Grande. This is a National Preserve that is a caldera formed about a million years ago when volcanos spewed up more ash than Mt. St. Helens and then the inside circle collapsed and formed this huge valley, now lush green and home to thousands of elk.
Along the way were several pueblos, some in ruins and some still home to various tribes. We did stop at the San Idelfonso Pueblo which is under renovation. Several artisans had their shops open selling their own pottery and weaving. When you entered the village you were not allowed to take pictures unless you paid a $10 permit. I declined. (Note: I later read that in the 10 pueblos in NM it is common to charge for taking pictures and to confiscate cameras if you take a picture without a permit.) Most of the shops were tiny and shabby but one was a residence/shop and the artisan had obviously made big bucks. It was a lovely adobe home, beautifylly furnished, huge TV, gourmet kitchen and 3 glass cases of pottery to sell. Some of the other pueblos we passed were among the most decrepit villages we've seen in our travels. Yards filled with junk cars, falling down houses....very depressed.
Here are a few shots from the day....starting with San Idelfonso Pueblo outside the village.
Jim at White Rock Overlook, Rio Grande in background.
The Valles Grande caldera.
Driving through the canyon and cottonwoods.
This is leaving Jemez Springs, a quaint little artsy-fartsy town in the canyon. Pictures really do not capture the grandeur of the area. The canyon walls are very red in contrast to the sparkling green of the cottonwoods. I get so impressed with the scenery, I forget to take enough pictures!
