June 3, 2014 Santa Fe to Pagosa Springs

Today we traveled from Santa Fe NM to Pagosa Springs Colorado. We saw many cow crossing signs we had not seen before!  I figured with as many signs that we saw we would run into a few stray cows but the only ones we saw were in the fields grazing. No run-aways thankfully!

We had a couple of scares with the yellow check engine light coming on two different times as we were climbing a pretty steep hill.  After talking to the mechanic Dale was told to "drive it like you stole it!"  I was not too crazy about that solution since we were high up, had a lot of curves, and some pretty good drop off points into never never land!  We thankfully made it to the park in Pagosa Springs safe and sound and no cops on our tail!  Whew! 

June 2 2014 Bandelier National Monument

We discovered Bandelier National Monument near Las Alamos New Mexico and think it was worth the trip. Of course having my senior National Park pass that gets us in with no fee made it a no brainer!  So off we went prepared to do some hiking.  Wow!  We just thought we were in shape!  It was a great day to explore and very interesting, not to mention the benefit of the exercise.  The weather is beautiful and a different kind of heat with virtually no humidity.  Dale actually went the full distance and my excuse was to stay behind and take the pics as he climbed these very steep ladders that were approximately 140 rungs spread on four ladders to get to the top. Considering my experience on ladders, that helped make the decision to stay behind to be the photographer!!  (not to mention the yellow streak down my back!)

 Pretty Flowers along the way

Ancestral Pueblo village

 Homes in the rocks

Etchings in the wall (this one has been covered by glass to preserve it) 

On the way down - This gives a bit of an idea how many steps were involved to get to the top 

 At the top where there was a large opening where some of the Pueblos lived

 Sucessfully climbed down to the first level and proud of it!

Nearing the bottom