Acoma Pueblo Confidential

Acoma Pueblo--the oldest continuously inhabited native
communities in North America dates back to the 11th century!
(Click image to enlarge)

One of the great things about traveling through the southwest is the native culture and history. Sadly, many of America's native peoples have been relegated to reservations where conditions and resources are poor. Some of the Native Americans have found ways, besides or in addition to casinos, to support their communities and cultivate their heritage. The Acoma Pueblo is one example of a native tribe continuing their traditions. This pueblo on a mesa is one of the oldest inhabited communities in North America and dates back to the 11th century. The name of the pueblo in the native language is Aa'ku and means "a place prepared." If you're ever in New Mexico, absolutely visit this pueblo. It's worth every penny!




Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 04/09

El Morro Confidential

Native American petroglyphs at El Morro National Monument

After Acoma/Sky City, we went to El Morro National Monument hoping to see some petroglyphs. Unfortunately, we arrived about 30 minutes before the park closes, so we were only able to hike the inscription trail. Still, it was a cool sight to visit and we did see one or two native petroglyphs among all of the Spanish and immigrant inscriptions carved into the sandstone walls.



Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 04/09

Northern New Mexico Confidential

Breakfast at Cafe Pasquales in downtown Santa Fe

I'm folding Santa Fe and Taos and all the little towns and villages in between into one entry: Northern New Mexico.

Church in Las Trampas, NM, on the road to Taos

We went to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe, but unfortunately the museum prohibits photography, so I have no pictures from there. Trust me, though, when I say we saw some amazing art not only by O'Keefe, but also by Thomas Moran, Thomas Hart Benton, and Edward Hopper, among others.

Peppers and Blue Door in the style of Rothko

On the road to Taos, we passed through the village of Las Trampas, which had a neat church and a traveling nurse from Easton, Maryland, who recommended seeing the Acoma Pueblo. Tomorrow's post will feature pictures from Acoma.

Rugs and Jars in Taos, NM

In the meantime, enjoy these photos and the slideshow from Santa Fe, Las Trampas, and Taos! As with all the photos on my blog, click the images to enlarge and see more detail.



Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 04/09

Carlsbad Confidential

Carlsbad Caverns National Park: A Natural Wonder 700 feet beneath the earth!
(Click to enlarge)

First stop in New Mexico: Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The cavern is the second largest cave chamber in the world, where the Big Room alone is 4,000 feet in length, 625 feet wide, and 300 feet deep. In other words, it's really, really big! My photos didn't turn out the best, because I forgot to take my tripod in with me. Despite the poor pictures, I can tell you it was quite impressive.

Between Carlsbad and Santa Fe, we saw a couple of interesting sights including the grave of Smokey the Bear and the Valley of Fires--a geologic wonder full of solidified lava flows from lava vents in the valley floor. See the slideshow for more pictures from the caverns and to see these other sights along the way.



Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 04/09