We are on our way to Bandolier National Monument. The bridges are decorated with lots of Native American symbols. There are lots of sculptures scattered all over town, most large, colorful metal.
The cedar trees stand tall and symmetrical in long lines. Mountain landscapes seem to vary between greenery and sparse scrub.
On our climb up the mountain to Bandolier, there is a steep rock wall to the right, a very curvy road up the mountain and a cliff dropping off to the left. Yikes!
Albuquerque is a good (or bad?!) example of suburban sprawl.
Cousin Nancy Greiff tells us that she has an arroyo (drainage ditch) behind her property and floods her yard from the larger city arroyo perpendicular to it whenever she needs to water her plants. There is a control valve she can operate. Her street, as a result, is one of the few that has actual planned landscaping in the backyards.
On the way to Bandolier, we pass "Camel Rock". It is a huge formation, which from one angle, looks just like its name. Pretty impressive.
We stop at the San Ildefonso Indian Reservation. There is a big craft fair going on today. We are in need of souvenir gifts for our families, so this is a good place to start.
On the way to the gym where the fair is held, we see that the fences in the yards on the Reservation are made from small trees. No need for commercial products.
Bob is getting excited about all the money we are saving with our National Park Senior Pass. He begins to keep a records of all our savings.
When we arrive in Bandolier, we notice at one of the overlooks that Rangers are explaining to people about the fire we saw when we came into the park. It started with a lightening strike two weeks ago and is presently burning 900 acres. We can see the flames with the Rangers' telescope. They call it The San Miguel Wildlands Managed Fire. There are signs nearby that say "Managed Burn. Do Not Report".
The Ranger explains that when these fires occur naturally, they are often used as controlled burns to help regenerate the land and prevent uncontrollable massively destructive fires from occurring.
At Bandolier, we see several sets of ruins: The Longhouse, The Cistern, The Alcove, The Cliff Dwellings. Many involve long hikes and steep climbs. It is in the 80's that day and Bob and I find ourselves quite fatigued by the end of the day. We are grateful that the last part of the hike is in shady woods along a stream.
While taking a photo, holding my hat against my side, I accidentally drop my hat into the water while I am releasing the shutter on the camera. I don't notice that my hat is missing until a few moments later when I go to put it back on. A kind passerby has found it, though, and on hearing me ask everyone if they have seen a blue hat, soon returns it to me intact, but muddy.
We stop at a Scenic Overlook to view the Rio Grande.
That evening, we meet Corinne's old friend Paul Rubinfeld at Harry's Road House, a well-known and very crowded eatery close to Paul's house. They are famous for their pies, but not only are we too full after dinner, but they are out of the ones we wanted: rhubarb and blueberry.
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