I’ve been quite terrible about updating this page, but it’s because I’ve been having such a kickin’ time in New Mexico. Two days ago was the last day of my contract, and it was very bittersweet. I could not have asked for better co-workers, better mentorship as a new grad, or a better experience for my first travel position. I did not anticipate being in NM whatsoever, but I am sure glad that I did. Here are some photos of the things that I’ve been up to in the last 2-3 months since I last posted!
These photos are of Bandelier National Monument, in the vicinity of Santa Fe. These lands were inhabited by Paleoindians over 10,000 years ago, and these features were constructed into the canyon walls and the valley below around the year 1100 by Ancestral Puebloans. There is a self-guided walking tour that describes the history of the culture, food cultivation, construction of homes and ceremonial spaces, as well as the importance of the Rio Grande running through these canyons.
In my last post, I talked about visiting the Trinity Site- the location of the first atomic bomb detonation. These photos above are from Los Alamos- the town where the Manhattan Project was carried out. The entire town has a walking tour with various important sites including the Main Gate, Bradbury Science Museum, Oppenheimer and Groves statues (lead men of the project), dormitories, lodges, and bunker sites. I only had around 3 hours to explore this National Historic Park, but I know that I could’ve easily spent more. I had to call my dad the next day and tell him ALL about this place.
One more site I visited was Tsankawi, which is a village that was constructed int he 1400s by the Ancestral Tewa Pueblo people. These ruins were built of volcanic rock and adobe, and they cultivated crops in the open canyons below. Tsankawi was constructed atop a mesa, so it was very secure. The volcanic rock and adobe materials wear easily, so the people created many narrow paths around the ruins that we use today. Instead of showing you the ruins, I chose to show the amazing view of the Sangre de Cristos mountains at sunset. I would not have minded that view every night of my life.
One of our good family friends from Oklahoma named Mike is essentially me, just in his 70s. We love to car camp, not plan out adventure, and meet good people. When he told he was going to Taos for their balloon fiesta, I knew I was going to join. For my first time being at a balloon rally, he got me a ride for free, had me in control of blowing up the balloon, and had me attend a ceremony in which I was no longer declared a “balloon virgin”. These ballooners are a good good time. We then got to spend a day together driving the Enchanted Circle- about an 80mi scenic drive through mountainous northern NM. We stopped at every brewery we could find, and Mike was bummed to find that the log cabin brewery 4 miles off the highway via dirt road was sadly closed. At least we found beer at the next stop. After having that special time together, I headed south to Tent Rocks National Monument. I attempted to come here in previous weekends, but it was always super crowded. I arrived at 8am open and had the whole place to myself. Even though it was a short short hike, the views were still worth the time.
Down in southern NM in Las Cruces are the Organ Mountains. Historically, they have been considered non-hikeable because of their steepness, jadedness, and harsh environment. A friend told me to hike “The Needle” which is one of the hardest in the range, so I knew I was in for a treat. The trail is not a trail, i.e. you know if you are still on the trail if you see small rocks stacked 4-5 high. Going up was ~3.5-4 miles, 3,600 ft, and about 3.5 hours. It really was not that bad, especially considering it was overcast and not warm whatsoever. Going down, however, was a different story. I could hardly find the trail at all, was sliding on my butt and hands due to steepness, and I ended up finding some other hikers to join on the way down because I was tired of getting lost. My legs were TOAST by the end of that downhill, but my body was so happy with the challenge. Heading out of town, I stopped at White Sands National Monument. I had been before, but going at open in the fall meant there were nearly no visitors and I had this serene beauty all to myself.
New Mexico has numerous hot springs all over the state, of which was very much unknown to me prior to moving here. I decided to head to the Jemez Wilderness and head to some 100% natural hot springs, not ruined by human construction at all. After car camping in the national forest and experiencing my first snow of the year, I parked my car at a trailhead and walked 5 miles to San Antonio springs. Early in the morning, there was only 1 other person there for the first 3 hours or so. Afterwards some rowdy people showed up so I knew it was time to go. Even though I walked 10 miles to get to these springs, being able to relax for a few hours with that view and not a care in the world made that walk very doable.
Thanksgiving!!!!!! I got to see my family after a months away, and even though that is not terribly long, I was so grateful for the holiday together. Going back to Ohio for the long weekend fed my soul with warmth, happiness, laughter, and a good run at sea-level where I wasn’t struggling due to altitude. Since I do not know the next time I will be back in Michigan or Ohio, those 5 days were highly cherished.
My last big trip of my time here was to Big Bend NP in Texas with no other than Corri from Ecuador!!!!! So naturally I have heaps of photos from this place. She is living in San Antonio, so we both had about a 7 hour drive to the park. We met in a city ~4.5 hours from us both, slept in a Walmart parking lot, and headed out in the very early AM with donuts in hand. Big Bend is a HUGE park with lots of good spots, but we decided our big hike would be the South Rim trail. It is a 12 mile loop with moderate elevation gain, but the views were out of this world. We met some friends from Austin who were also hiking, and they invited us to some hot springs in the evening. After a million hiccups with their car trouble, we made it to this spring. It is one large pool that is LITERALLY on the Rio Grande. One foot can be in the pool, and one foot can be in the Rio. It was a bit cloudy, but when there were gaps, the stars were spectacular. That night was one that I soon won’t forget- other-worldy for sure. It was amazing to spend time with this gal and I am so thankful for her friendship. If there is one thing we both wanted, it was to extend that weekend forever.
Thanks for reading all of my adventures in NM!! I am contemplating coming back to this beautiful place- I’ve been able to go snowboarding in the mountains, hiking in the desert, experience all season weather, and I’ve met many, many unforgettable people. NM was BEYOND good to me.
Where am I headed next?? To Nome, Alaska!!! About a year ago Hannah and Corri, while we were in Ecuador, told me I should go to Alaska, and I took it as a joke. Well here I am less than a year later really doing it. I’m finishing up this blog post in a coffee shop in northern NM, but the next month or so will be spent on the long, long road to Alaska. Stay tuned for what I expect will be an insane adventure 😊