Hidden on the Navajo Reservation in northern New Mexico is the Pueblo Pintado historical ruins. 16 miles east of Pueblo Bonito, Pueblo Pintado is the easternmost of the Chacoan great houses in the immediate Chaco Canyon area. Archaeologists call Pueblo Pintado a “Chacoan great house,” a civic and ceremonial center utilized by many surrounding communities. The structure is a massive L-shaped building, open to the SE. The building is terraced, from 3 stories on the outside corner to the single-story enclosed kivas (round, semisubterranean ceremonial chambers) on the interior corner. About 20 single-story rooms enclose the plaza and a large enclosed kiva. The entire great house contained 90 groundfloor rooms, 40 second-story rooms, and 5 third-story rooms. A hundred feet southeast of the building is a subterranean great kiva 58 feet in diameter. Most of the construction occurred at A.D. 1060-1061, during Chaco’s peak construction period, with a later reoccupation in the 1200s.
Dirt Road to Cerro De Guadalupe
Our view sauntering on the 4x4 roads near Cabezon, New Mexico. Cerro De Guadalupe is one of the ancient volcanic formations that are extremely fascinating in the area. There is a numerous backcountry roads and tons of space to explore in this high desert region on the Colorado Plateau.
Badlands Faux Dino Rock
Exploring the Bisti Badlands in Northwest New Mexico is like exploring a “martian world”. The scenery is other worldly with wonderful rock formations covering the landscape. This specific specimen reminded me of a large dinosaurs vertebrae. Just imagine coming upon a dino vertebrae in the middle of the desert…. Wouldn’t that be a blast!
Cerro Chato Volcanic Peak
The ancient volcanic peaks in the Cabezon region of New Mexico are astounding to witness first hand. Exploring this area is worthwhile with few visitors and fantastic views of the New Mexico deserts and mountains. Teig and I love to get “lost” in the desert southwest.
Shadows in the Bisti Badlands
We experienced this wonderful landscape exploring the Bisti Badlands on the Navajo Reservation in northwest New Mexico. The rock formations are mesmerizing and a saunter out into the wilderness can create a sensation of freedom. Teig and I love this area and the serenity it allows for us and there is a plethora to explore that you can spend a week and constantly experience a new landscape on every turn.
Rio Puerco Volcanic Necks
Cabezon Peak is one of the best-known and most visible landmarks in northwest New Mexico. This giant volcanic plug is visible for tens of miles in all directions. Cabezon means “big head” in Spanish, and it is aptly named. It is the largest of several dozen widely scattered rocky monoliths, called the Rio Puerco necks. Rising above the Rio Puerco valley floor, they are some of the best-preserved examples of volcanic necks in the world. The craggy black peaks stand in sharp contrast to the sparsely vegetated, buff-colored lowlands from which they emerge.The Jemez Mountains are visible to the north. This starkly beautiful landscape is unique in New Mexico. At an elevation of 7,786 ft, Cabezon Peak towers more than 1,100 ft above its base, and 2,000 ft above the Rio Puerco nearby.
Exploring Anasazi Nogales Cliff House Ruins
Nogales Cliff House in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. Our hike led us up a steep hillside to a hamlet of minimally excavated Anasazi Gallina houses as well as a series of garden terraces. The residents of this settlement must have enjoyed their rooms with a view over the Llaves Valley. Teig definitely enjoyed the hike and we had this awesome view along the long forgotten garden terraces to the larger cliff dwellings. It is so exciting to be able to explore the hidden archaeological treasures.
Nogales Cliff House Ruins
Nogales Cliff House in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. It is situated in an alcove formed by sandstone cliffs. This well-preserved ruin is a structure that was probably built around 1,000 A.D. by a Pueblo Indian Group specific to this area called the Gallina Anasazi. It was abandoned some time in the 1,200’s.
Chaco Canyon Pueblo Alto Ruins
Exploring the Pueblo Alta trail on the mesa at Chaco Canyon leads you to a wonderful ruin sitting lonely on the crest of a hill. Pueblo Alto Ruins are the highest ruins in the park and don’t have the pressure of tourists as the others because you have to climb a winding trail up the canyon walls then a couple mile stretch of the legs to the ruins but it is well worth the trip. I made it there in the early afternoon on a beautiful fall day just before Thanksgiving.
Cliffs above Pueblo Bonito
Teig and I spent an autumn day exploring Chaco Canyon National Monument in northwest New Mexico. We hiked the desert mesa and learned about the Anasazi Indians that settled the area between 800 and 1400 ad. We decided to hike the cliffs above one of the main pueblos. We were surprised by this beautiful view from a few hundred feet above Pueblo Bonito. We truly love New Mexico and it’s wonderful history, culture and landscape.
Lybrook Badlands Cave
Teig and I spent the day sauntering through one of the unique San Juan Basins Badlands. This citadel formation had a cave into it which was very interesting. I climbed up and peered into it. I was not brave enough to explore to deep for fear of a cave in. It appeared quite fragile but uber cool.
Gold in Lybrook Badlands
Exploring one of the San Juan Basin Badlands near sunset I ventured into a wash a came upon this beautiful scene full of gold color. Lybrook Badlands is a remote location where a person can get away from civilization and explore strange rock formations and study the ancient geologic record. Fossil hunting is fun but I would never keep them but leave them for others to enjoy.
Zebra at Balloon Fiesta Take-off
Zebras - Launch Director is the first person of contact for the pilots and crews on the field. In their black and white attire LDs, aka Zebras, are rather prominent ambassadors of Fiesta. The LDs work with the pilots to conduct a Safe Coordinated Launch. Even well before daylight, the LDs walk their rows to greet pilots and crews. They remind the pilots about the 3 Row Rule. During inflations, the LDs look for proper tie offs and anything out of the ordinary. The flight operations kick off when the Balloon of the Day launches as the National Anthem is played from the stage. At the conclusion of the anthem, the LDs are able to start launching the first wave. Each LD has a conversation with the pilot about the launch. The discussion may include overhead traffic, layers of wind, false lift warnings, and other topics necessary for a successful launch. The Launch Card (chit) is collected and then the LD clears the spectators down wind and reestablishes eye contact with the pilot. When the airspace above the balloon is clear the LD blows the whistle and gives thumbs up for launch. The LD stays in position until the balloon is above head level and in controlled flight. The LD waves or salutes while wishing a safe flight for the pilot and crew. LDs take this time to observe the balloon’s flight to be prepared for the next launch. Then it is on to the next balloon to repeat the launch process. After all the balloons are launched we shift our hats to become Landing Assistants. When the permission is granted to allow landings on the launch field, the LDs help the incoming balloons land safely until balloon crews arrive.
Desert Storm near Abiquiu
Nothing better than a late afternoon desert storm in northern New Mexico. If you never seen a storm with the sun shining on you in the desert southwest, you need to add it to your bucket list. This one was outside of Abiquiu and brought a smile to my face.
Lybrook NM Badlands
We explored this badlands which is not well known. Lybrook is in northwest New Mexico on the Navajo Indian Reservation. I was surprised how rugged and beautiful the rock formation were with numerous hoodoos and arches. We spent a whole day exploring some of the canyons and cliffs. It was well worth the time spent.
Above the De-Na-Zin Wilderness
The De-Na-Zin Wilderness in northwest New Mexico is a fantastic location to get away from civilization. The desert is so unique here on the Navajo Reservation. The sun was near setting on this evening in late autumn. Teig and I had hiked all day in the canyons seen below and were now enjoying the evening with a beer in hand a no other soul for miles. This was heaven on earth!
Cruising on the White Sands of New Mexico
A beautiful evening on the White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico. What a perfect location for a traildog during late fall. The western sunset is awesome in the southwest.
Traildog in the Rio Grande Gorge
Teig and I hiked down Chiflo Trail down into the Rio Grande Gorge in New Mexico. It was fun hike to reach the river at the bottom of the chasm. Exploring the rock formations and the river were so very cool. I love and miss my birth state!
Taos Ski Valley Autumn Panorama
Taos Ski Valley in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains during the peak aspen color run in early October. Rain and snow was moving into the Taos Ski Valley when I captured this panorama. Luckily I escaped with just a slight soaking of my clothes.
Filling a Hot Air Balloon at the Night Glow
Filling the hot air into balloons for the “Night Glow” activities is quite the sight. The flames shoot up 10 feet into the air in the balloon from the flame-thrower.