We HIKE!!

Sun-Mon, Oct 1-2…

It’s General Conference weekend, and I did watch the morning session live (even took notes 😊). After a quick lunch, we head out just a couple miles to Tsanwaki, one of 2 Pueblo sites within the Bandelier Nat’l Monument. We follow a loop trail that includes unexcavated ruins, petroglyphs, and dwellings carved into soft tuff (new word – light, porous rock formed as volcanic ash consolidates). Along the way we get to navigate some well-secured wooden ladders (and occasionally wonder which direction leads to the next marker). We see only a few folks (all but one about our age) and cell service is iffy - I wouldn't want to have a heart attack out here. Here are some overview shots...

Up and up...

then just a little more.

Quite the back yard.

Now some details...

Name this rock:  Gaping Mouth?
Froggie w/ Bowtie?  Hand puppet?

Lone Juniper Berry

Petroglyphs (we saw others in southern NM back in February)

And miscellany...

The clouds truly seem to be within reach. Fabulous.

To a Fringed Gentian?
(Wm. Cullen Bryant)

MONDAY we took a free shuttle bus to the main section of Bandelier. First we wandered through the interpretive center, then walked a slightly longer - and definitely more populated - trail that included several communities w/ much more information regarding family life and tribal customs.  We took the extra loop to the higher caves, but were content to watch others climb the 140' of steps and ladders. 

Tight squeeze...
that left wall is well
over our heads.

Community KIVA, used for spiritual gatherings

Foundation remains of a circular pueblo site.

Another tourist, possibly checking out a 2-bd vacation rental?

Some of the homes were really quite large - several rooms including a family kiva (under the other rooms - kivas were generally underground). Storage areas were located behind the everyday living rooms. Along some of the cliff faces we could see 4 levels of apartments.

I stole this shot from the park website.
The small holes indicate inserted beams.

Random shots as we followed a 

muddy creek back to the shuttle lot...

Abnormal tree branch!

Looking up...

...and down.

BlogThoughts... I can't begin to remember all the information we've taken in, but I certainly am impressed with the sophistication of these early civilizations. The various Pueblo groups had year-round homes. I believe there were maybe 7 different languages among the many NM settlements. They traded and co-existed peacefully. (The nomadic tribes - Apache, Navajo, Ute & Comanche - were the warriors.) These sites, plus other Native American sites we've visited, make it clear that these people were pretty much like the rest of us when it came to creating the best life for family and community.