Chaco Canyon, New Mexico!

If you kick around the US southwest, you're going to see ruins like you're going to see blue skies. It's inevitable. However, Chaco Canyon will ruin you for any other similar antiquities. 

You do see what I did there, right?

Fajada Butte

Fajada Butte was apparently important in astronomical calculations of the Chacoan culture. When to plant the popcorn, the eggplant, and the baconplant.

No way this can go wrong

Petroglyphs

Cliff swallow nests

All the round structures were kivas. They are still considered sacred, and we weren't allowed to enter even if we hurled ourselves in. A couple kept talking about "another cistern," and I didn't even hand them a brochure.

These panoramic shots will expand, if you want to click. For any reason whatsoever. 

Keyhole kiva

These keyhole kivas (I'm told) are found in other ruins, suggesting an exchange of ideas among distant people.

What the Great Kiva may have looked like. May.

A kiva in a kiva in a kiva. Seriously. When one filled in, they used the site and built up.

Getting in and out isn't hard, but there's a trick of nature and timing to successful passage. About two miles is heavily rutted, and probably slick in the rain. Spud and I balanced on dry road ridges and didn't think about what would happen if we slipped off. Leaving, our timing was split-second perfect even though we watched rain and lightening sluice over the horizon.

Camping is $15/night, or $7.50 if you have the senior National Parks pass. Sites are very small, although we were among other big rigs who had wedged themselves into tiny spaces like last year's NYE dress.

Another time, I'll tell you the story of ... nah, maybe not.

Sacred Mountain, Rimrock, AZ

Just beyond the V-V Ranch lies Sacred Mountain, a mesa where you can see ruins, potsherds, and the whole rest of the world.

   

The hike is moderate, I guess. It's not "hard," because we did it, and it's not "easy" because it wasn't. A 300 foot rise, scrambling over loose rocks and uneven earth -- it was plenty for me even though it claims to be a one-mile roundtrip. We left the mesa's top as the sun was hitting the horizon, and with a careful-but-steady descent, we were back to low ground just in time to miss rolling down the hill in the dark.

A gift for Sinagua spirits? I had a juicy Honeycrisp in my pocket, but I thought it was better enjoyed by the living.

The living.

You can rest a-sherd I didn't do this. Possibly a grindstone.

We are asked not to move sherds. I could understand the desire to protect these bigger pieces, though.

You spelunkhead!

I'll guard the rocks.

On the way down I thought I heard a herd of javelinas. I didn't tell Annie, though; no reason to alarm her. Like desert tortoises, we will leave our water behind when frightened.

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Walnut see this while you're here!

We got a break from the under-the-weather and headed out, all jaunty-like, to Walnut Canyon National Monument. The ranger on duty showed us the Island Loop and the Rim Trail, and advised us to take the Island Loop only if we were "feeling healthy today." I figured Annie couldn't even remember when she last 'felt healthy,' so I was in for smooth cruising on the Rim.

But, no. Annie was hardy, and there was no way I was backing down. What have I done?

Log-walking is fine, but there is to be no segregation of the sexes.

On the way down, while it was still funny.

A pueblo we couldn't get to.

One we could.

I AM smiling.

 

"I have to use the bathroom. Hold my stick and water and hat and shades. Take my jacket, my keys and my camera." CLANG! The Louds hit the trail.

The Rim Trail, on the other hand, is designed for everyone, and is wheelchair-accessible. Why, oh why? I love wheelchair-accessible!

Several years ago, Annie and I hiked a trail in Upstate New York that I found especially strenuous. Along the way, a pregnant woman, three old ladies, and a guy with a broken leg pushing a wheelchair passed us on the way up. I'm proud to say I have the same level of physical stamina now as I did at that age.

Bottom line: whine all you want, but see this somehow. $5 per person, good for seven days. Or, use your America the Beautiful pass: free.