Me, Rose and Jack went to see the total solar eclipse. The original plan was to go to south Texas, but the sky coverage prediction map showed that overcast skies were likely. It showed that the best chance of clear skies was in SE Missouri. So we left on Saturday from Los Alamos NM and arrived in Springfield MO on Sunday. The sky cover map then showed mostly clear skies for northern Arkansas. On Monday morning we decided to drive to a small town called Ash Flat in northern Arkansas that was located near the center of totality. This little town was perfect. We located the city park on the way into town, and it was the best place for viewing totality. It wasn’t crowded and there was plenty of room to set up for relaxed viewing. We met interesting people from Arkansas and elsewhere. Totality was amazing. Some high haze cleared completely by noon, so that we had perfect viewing conditions. Totality lasted for about 4 minutes total. I was glad I got to see it since I had never experienced a total eclipse before.
We also enjoyed our time in Springfield, especially when we visited the giant new Buckee’s. Lot’s of fun.
Me and the dog hiked to the Nogales Cliffhouse near Gallina NM. The Gallina people lived in the area from artound 1050 to the 1300s. They were contemporary with the Chacoan people, but seem to be culturally distinct. They mostly lived in pit houses and subsisted on agriculture and game. There is some evidence indicating that many Gallina died in violent encounters with other indigenous groups. There are many towers built along ridges that seem to suggest defensive structures.
Hiked and climbed to the natural arch feature off of Mitchell Trail in Los Alamos.
This arch is unusual since it occurs in volcanic rocks that form the Jemez Mountains. Natural arches are normally found in sandstones such as those in Arches National Park. The last part of the hike up to the arch is pretty steep. Some actual climbing is required. The arch is called Phoenix Arch by many people in Los Alamos.
Good view of the Los Alamos townsite from the arch. LANL Casa Grande can be seen in the center of the last photo. Also note Omega bridge.
Me and the dog hiked to the Cieneguilla Petroglyphs just southwest of Santa Fe. This rock art is located on the cliffs above the Santa Fe river. These images were probably created between the 13th and 17th centuries by the ancestors of the people from the present day Cochiti and Santo Domingo pueblos. This location is also located close to the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro which stretched from Mexico City to the Ohkay Owingeh pueblo north of Santa Fe. The old Route 66 that descends the La Bajada hill just to the south followed much of the old Camino Real. Some photos from La Bajada show this particularly treacherous part of the route.
A few weeks ago, I took a tour of the Four Corners area while staying in Farmington. The first day I started by driving to the Sand Island Petroglyphs in Utah. There are two main panels, an upper and lower. Both are worth the visit and the short hike to the upper panel.
Next, I took highway 163 south towards Mexican hat. On the way, I drove the loop through the Valley of the Gods. Definitely worth it. The gravel road is in pretty decent condition and the giant hoodoos are awesome.
Next I drove towards Mexican Hat and Monument Valley. Of course, I had to stop at Forrest Gump hill (where Forrest decided to stop running). Nice pullout with an actual parking area. I then proceeded through Monument Valley into the Navajo nation. I made my way to Lukachukai AZ and then took BIA 13 through the Lukachukai mountains to Shiprock. This is a nice road with some interesting curves through the mountains. Be aware that this is in the Navajo Nation so be sure to respect the rules. From Shiprock, I headed back to Farmington.
The next day, I decided to visit the Crow Canyon petroglyphs in the Dinetah. I drove east out of Farmington on highway 64 past Bloomfield. After Bloomfield, shortly after Blanco, I turned right onto road 4450. There is a sign that says that the 5 mile bridge is out. That’s okay because the road now goes down through the wash and back up the other side. Drive for about 19 miles until you see the wooden sign for Crow Canyon. Beware, don’t trust google maps, only cross the wash at the sign for Cuervo Canon. Take a left and drive through the wash to the other side. Take another left and drive for about 1 mile to Crow Canyon. There are two main panels. One at the mouth of the canyon, and the 44 panel site. The main panel is accessed via a short hike. The 44 panel is about a 3/4 mile hike from a separate trail head. Awesome glyphs at both locations.
After visiting Crow Canyon, I went back out to 4450 and turned south towards Largo Canyon school. There are two pretty easily accessible Pueblitos near the old Largo Canyon school. Turn right after the school onto county road 379. After 1.8 miles, turn right onto an unmarked road. This will take you up to the Hooded Fireplace Pueblito and the Largo School Ruin. Follow the road for about 2.26 miles. At the dirt intersection, the Hooded Fireplace Pueblito is visible just above on the left. If you backtrack on the road a short distance there is a small pull out for parking on the east side or the road. Just across the road, there is a sign and a short path up to the ruin. This Pueblito is not on the cliff overlooking the canyon like other defensive sites. The hooded fireplace is significant since this type of construction was introduced by the Spanish.
After visiting the Hooded Fireplace, it is a short distance to visit the Largo Canyon School Pueblito. Take the right fork in the road after the Hooded Fireplace pull out. In about 1200 ft, there is a pull off to the right and a sign indicating the trail head. Walk along the 2 track trail until you reach the canyon rim. The path to the ruin is faint but proceed west along the canyon rim for about 1000 ft to reach the Pueblito. This site is more typical of the defensive sites in that it is perched high on the cliff with good views of the entire canyon.
Sand Island Petroglyphs sign.
Sand Island panel.
Sand Island Cool Panel.
Sand Island Sign.
Sand Island Petroglyphs
Valley of the Gods: Lady in bathtub.
Valley of the Gods towers.
Valley of the Gods: De Gaulle and His Troops.
Valley of the Gods hoodoos
Forrest Gump hill with view towards Monument Valley.
Mexican Hat hoodoo.
Monument Valley towers
Shiprock from Indian Route 13
Crow Canyon sign with some descriptions.
Crow Canyon sign.
Crow Canyon Navajo Diety.
Crow Canyon panel with horses.
Crow Canyon cool panel.
Crow Canyon Petroglyphs
Crow Canyon Petroglyphs
Crow Canyon diety.
Crow Canyon sign.
Crow Canyon 44 panel.
Crow Canyon elk thru heart.
Crow Canyon Big Warrior
Crow Canyon Petroglyph with staff.
Hooded Fireplace Pueblito
Hooded Fireplace Sign
Hooded Fireplace Sign
Hooded Fireplace Pueblito.
Hooded Fireplace
Hooded Fireplace Pueblito: room with vigas.
Largo Canyon School Pueblito sign
Largo Canyon School Pueblito outside.
Largo Canyon School Pueblito inside.
Largo Canyon School Pueblito canyon view.
Largo Canyon School view from ruin
Largo Canyon School ruin
Largo Canyon School Ruin: HooDoo Guard
Just keep in mind that these sites are fragile so take care to prevent any damage. And be sure to leave any artifacts in place so that others can enjoy these sites for many years to come.
For the summer of 2022 we vacationed in Surfside TX. We rented a house right on the beach. We celebrated Anna’s graduation from Los Alamos high school in 2020. Also Rose’s birthday. Lots of fun.
Anna celebrates.
Rose’s party.
Some seagulls on the ferry ride from Galveston to Bolivar.
The East Fork of the Jemez river is confined to a narrow box canyon for a portion of its course near the Valle Caldera. The canyon is accessible from Trail 137 off of NM 4. The hike down to the river is a spur off the main trail that descends about 400 feet. Much of the descent is made easy by the addition of wooden steps. Be sure to bring some shoes that you don’t mind getting wet since wading the river is the best way to get to the double falls upstream from where the trail spur intersects the river.
Descent down the spur off of East Fork Trail.
Footbridge crossing.
Me and the waterfall.
Waterfall.
Falls at the end of the Las Conchas Trail. The box begins.
Even though the Seniors from the of class of 2020 didn’t have the opportunity to participate in a traditional ceremony, the Los Alamos School District did come up with a unique way for them to each experience graduation. It was basically a drive thru Diploma ceremony for each student and their families. And then, the entire community turned out for a parade on Diamond Avenue. That was awesome. Anna and her friends really enjoyed that. Here are some videos.
