El Malpais, Tsankawi and Bandelier National Monument

Thursday morning we had an early start from our hotel in Grants. We went to the natural arch in the El Malpais, snapped a few pics (naturally! LOL!) then went to the lookout area. I'm not sure how to describe this area other than mesmerizing. Fluid. Orange. Round. Soft. Jagged. High. Sunny. Breezy. It sits above the malpais outside Grants.

The rocks up there are just so much fun! I remember well my visit with my parents and brothers back in 1991 (or '92) to this magnificent spot. It was COLD, windy but just beautiful. There are many spots in the rocks where round areas were formed that were perfect for shelter from the cold wind. Dad took a picture of me in one of those holes that was a keeper! (Don't have it digitally, or I'd share it - sorry!)

This trip those holes were filled with water. Rare yet very welcomed in this dry landscape. We even found one that had tadpoles in it!!!!! New life right there before our eyes!!

After our grand adventure there, we went back on the road to head Northeast to the Espanola area. We took one long, BUMPY, rocky, hilly yet beautiful dirt road to Bandelier National Forrest. Temperatures went from the high 80's to a spectacular 56 degrees!!! Ponderosa pines, juniper, pinion, and many other trees that love the high altitudes. We even encountered rain, which was welcomed - it gave our poor dirty rental a much needed bath!

Within Bandelier National Monument is one of my most favorite places - Tsankawi. It's a cultural site important to the people of San Ildefonso Pueblo and an archaeological site. The trails there have been used so much by it's people of yesteryear that they've been carved into the stone. Skinny little trails about their village that are very skinny and in places almost hip high!! The pictures will hardly do it justice. There were places so narrow I had to turn sideways to get thru!! We all had such a fun time there, despite the HOT temps of the lazy afternoon sunshine. The trail is a mile and a half loop that took us 2 hours to navigate. Well worth every minute!!

After bidding Tsankawi goodbye, we took the beautiful drive over to Espanola and had a delicious New Mexican dinner at a restaurant that I visited with my family back in the early 90's - JoAnn's. The best darn sopopia's ever!! (sp?) MMMmmmmmm!

We checked into our hotel, showered and slept like babies. Yet another fantabulous day! Thank you, Jesus!