2007 New Mexico: Los Alamos, Bandalier and Jemez National Monument

Driving north of Santa Fe toward Los Alamos and Bandelier National Monument

Indian Reservation just outside Santa Fe, pronounced "teh-soo-kay"

Colorful freeway overpass on Highway 285 north of Santa Fe

Now, this picture may not seem to make sense, BUT. . . we were driving by Camel Rock (below) and I thought I'd take a picture of the Camel Rock Casino sign as we drove through the local Indian Reservation, and just when I thought I snapped an excellent pic of the sign, I opened the picture after the fact and noticed instead that I had taken a picture of the sign with a big fat bump in front of it. So goes photography sometimes. . .

Camel Rock. . . and take one guess at why you think it's called Camel Rock!

Pretty spectacular rock formation, eh!

Heading north toward Los Alamos

Excellent example of the local geological stratification of rocks and sediment. The exposed mountainsides of the New Mexico landscape is like an ancient science book just waiting to be read.

Welcome to Los Alamos, home of Los Alamos National Laboratory and the nuclear weapons of the Manhattan Project

I had never been to an American city before that had a boarder patrol type check point that you had to go through before you could get in!

So woodsy and serene... yet locked up behind no trespassing signs.

Is that nuclear radiation I see glowing off in the distance there?!?

Why does this sign disturb me so much?!?

While on the hunt for UFOs and black helicopters, we drove past Area 49... which we figured was close enough in name to Area 51 (in Nevada!) and kept our eyes peeled for mysterious objects in the sky.

Alas, we chanced upon no secret black aircraft, but rather. . . an orange and white striped helicopter. HOW BORING!

At least we tried!

Secret alien craft hiding in the trees around Los Alamos?!?

On a drive through the mountains just north of Santa Fe

Me in my "Let's Go, Germany!" Soccer World Cup 2006 t-shirt in New Mexico.

Not too many Germans around though. . .

Above and below: a thick forest of aspen trees, leaves rustling in the breeze

Lovely blue sky, white puffy clouds and deep green foliage

A little mountain stream in the hills

A weed with sharp little barbs that informs all would be herbivores: BACK OFF!

"Log, grass and flowers"

Bird's nest amongst a pyramid shaped pile of twig

Ants going about their business in their low-lying universe as humans toil far up above.

Above and below: nice little flowers. Anyone know the names??

Above and below: some rather fascinating information about aspen trees.

Did you know that aspens are among the earth's largest organisms?!?

Barbara and I on our way toward Tesuque Peak

Ooooh. . . fresh needles. . . so soft!

Must be nice. . . a motorcycle ride through the mountains on a lovely summer day

Above and below: me, Barb and Liz

What a great smile!

You're welcome!

On our way to Jemez State Monument. Who knew that Cuba was so close to New Mexico?!?

Does the US Government know about this?!?

Bandelier National Monument to the left.

Home to the ruins of an ancient local civilization from the 1100s to 1500s AD

Nothing's for free in this world. . .

Site of the ruins of the village of Tyuonyi in Frijoles Canyon which was at its height in the 1400s

Um. . . not seeing so much snow here in the middle of summer. . . maybe it was just hiding?!

Fascinating rock formations.

I wonder if Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland was modeled after this?

Random rock formations

Pueblo structure in Bandelier

Ruins of free standing structures with the holes and tunnels of an ancient cliff dwelling in the mountain behind

Tyuonyi from above

Ladders leating up to a cliff dwelling cafe

A gorgeous cactus in bloom

A bird's nest amongst cactus needles. OUCH!

A lizard watching the tourists pass by

A very unique looking cactus plant which seemed to be all over northern and central New Mexico

Former cave dwelling of the local Pueblo Native Americans

A bat cave!

Another bat cave

I'd hate to fall into THAT!

Frijoles Canyon

About to ascend a series of ladders to the Alcove House atop the mountain cliff

You may not be able to tell from the picture, but. . . grabbing the rungs of a ladder that sits outside baking in the New Mexico sun all day long HURTS!!!

Hot! Hot! Hot! OUCH!!!

My hands were totally red and scorched when I was done!

Above and below: the Alcove House

Descending into the Alcove House

Ahhh. . . a heart shaped out of stones in the Alcove House

Above and below: a series of park signs describing local flora and fauna

Fallen tree... with suspiciously alien-shaped eyeballs on the trunk. Hmm. . . a message to UFOs driving by?!?

Local Pueblos performing a dance at a cultural event for tourists.

A great opportunity for outsiders to learn something about the Pueblo people and gain respect for the indigenous culture of the region.

Local boy preparing to dance

Looks like a cool building for staff residents

Above and below: several artifacts from the Pueblo people

Driving down State Route 4 toward Valles Caldera National Preserve

Above: some info on Valles Caldera National Preserve

Below: the ancient caldera in all its beauty. Scroll to the right ---> ---> --->

Animals grazing in the grass of the caldera

Me and a volcano caldera

The roadway meandering past the caldera

Barbara and I at the caldera

Barbara and Liz

Trying to be artistic with the girls. . .

Yes, apparently I do like myself. . . ;-}

A nice drive through the mountains on a sunny New Mexico summer day

I went through great pain to get this nice yet not especially remarkable photo. Specifically, as I jumped onto the grassy hillside beside the roadway to get up high enough to take this shot, I stepped onto a sharp, barbed dead branch hiding in the grass which flipped up and sliced open two fat scratches on my ankles. Note to self: next time you go jumping onto grassy knolls, make sure you pull up your socks first! Secondly, make sure the picture is really going to be worth a bloody ankle before doing the jumping!