Bandelier National Monument

Christina didn't have to leave town until late the night we checked out from our hotel in Santa Fe.  I was going to Albuquerque that evening anyway, so she cancelled her shuttle and joined me for one last day of New Mexican adventures!  We drove north towards Los Alamos to visit Bandelier National Monument.

Here is a quote from their website explaining a little about the history of Bandelier:

"Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged but beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back over 11,000 years.  Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities."

It was breathtaking to say the least.  We hiked along the main loop trail and climbed into some of the cliff dwellings.  Then we hiked up a more zig zag path where we kept climbing higher and higher.  The higher we got, the more spectacular the views were!

Christina climbing up into one of the cliff dwellings

the view from inside...

Looking down...

If you look closely you will see petroglyph carvings