Bandelier NM, 48 miles NW of Santa Fe near the town of White Rock, is chock full of pueblo-type ruins. Natives lived there for about 500 years in caves, cliff dwellings and stone structures. We visited the area and took these pix along the Main Loop Trail.
Trish checks her trail guide booklet beside a large kiva.
The remains of a circular stone village which was 3 stories high in some parts.
Several hundred people lived there.
Lots of natives lived in caves.
These people had a tuff life. Tuff is volcanic ash that became compacted into very soft, workable rock. Got a baby coming, need more space? Grab a sharp rock, scrape and shape, 3-4 days work and there you have it, your new nursery room.
It was the other kind of tough, too; life expectancy was 35.
A restored home of rock.
They must have been avid readers. Nearly every home had its own newspaper slot.
Flowering cactus along the trail, a type of cholla I think.
The modern main visitor center in the town of White Rock.
The siding is Hardiplank, 3 colors applied randomly. Cool!
Close up of big bug and lizard sculptures by the visitor center entrance.
The lizard is 7' long.
Lookout Point in White Rock, a sweeping view of the Rio Grande valley.
I'm enjoying your travels vicariously. Thanks for posting.
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