Thursday
We took the scenic route to Santa Fe, through the mountains with several stops
along the way.
Coronado State Monument
Supposedly Francisco Vásquez de Coronado stopped near here
in 1540 while he was searching for the cities of gold. We walked a short trail
to see the pueblo ruins, and climbed a ladder into a reconstructed kiva.
Our first stop was Coronado State Monument.
playing the drum at the Coronado State Monument visitor center
pueblo ruins near the Rio Grande
Evan points out the next sign on the interpretive trail
Jemez Springs
We stopped at Jemez Springs for a soak in the natural hot springs, piped into
tubs in the bath house. After lunch, we walked around Jemez State Monument to
see ruins of a pueblo village from the 1500s and a Spanish church built in
1610.
potty break on the way to Jemez Springs
we stopped for (alternating) soaks in the bath house, fed by a natural hot spring
Jemez State monument
inside the ruins of a church built in the 1600s
Valles Caldera
We stopped for a quick look at Valles Caldera, which collapsed after a volcanic
eruption 50-60,000 years ago.
Valles Caldera
Santa Fe
We arrived in Santa Fe in the late afternoon. After dinner, we strolled
around the plaza.
there were creepy talking ghosts in the second story windows above the Santa Fe plaza
Santa Fe plaza at night
St. Francis Cathedral at night
