Join us as we venture into some of the hidden gems of New Mexico: Aztec Ruins National Monument, Bisti/De-Na-Zion Wilderness and Shiprock!
Aztec Ruins National Monument
Aztec, New Mexico might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Puebloan ruins, but this small town is actually home to one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Southwest. The Aztec Ruins National Monument is a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases the impressive architectural achievements of the ancient Puebloan people who lived in the area over 900 years ago.
The Aztec Ruins site consists of a series of interconnected rooms and passageways, built using sandstone blocks and wooden beams. The largest structure in the complex is the Great Kiva, a massive circular room that was likely used for religious ceremonies. The kiva measures over 40 feet in diameter, and its walls are adorned with intricate carvings and murals. One of the most remarkable features of the Aztec Ruins is the complex system of underground passageways that connect the various rooms and kivas. These passageways were likely used for storage and as a means of escape during times of danger.
Visitors to the Aztec Ruins can take a self-guided tour of the site, exploring the various rooms and passageways at their own pace. Ranger-led tours are also available, providing a more in-depth look at the history and significance of the site. In addition to the ruins themselves, the Aztec Ruins National Monument also features a museum that showcases artifacts and exhibits related to the ancient Puebloan culture.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, New Mexico
Next we head into the heart of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, one of the most unique and untouched landscapes in New Mexico. This stunning area, located in the San Juan Basin, is home to some of the most beautiful and otherworldly rock formations in the Southwest. We tried to explore the stunning landscapes that make up the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, including the towering hoodoos, colorful badlands, and winding washes. From hiking trails to photography spots, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had here. We did our best to capture the essence of this area even though the weather did not cooperate, with high wind and blowing sand. (But we used some stock photos, noted, to capture what we missed!)
National Geographic Traveler listed this as one of their “must-visit” adventure destinations!
Shiprock, New Mexico (the monument)
Lastly we venture into the heart of the Navajo Nation to explore one of the most iconic landmarks in the Southwest – Shiprock. Rising 1,500 feet above the surrounding landscape, this towering rock formation has been a sacred site for the Navajo people for centuries, and its mystical beauty continues to captivate visitors from all over the world.
Shiprock is known to the Navajo as “rock with wings”. The primary legend tells how a piece of the land became a great bird carrying Navajo ancestors from the far north to their present homeland in the American Southwest.
Shiprock is what’s left of a volcano that erupted over 30 million years ago. Striking features of Shiprock are the dikes, or wall-like sheets of lava that radiate away from the central neck. Evidence suggests that the lava explosively interacted with water and formed what geologists call a diatreme or a carrot-shaped volcanic vent, one of the most spectacular diatremes in the United States.
We wished we could have flown the Drone over Shiprock to capture its size and length but this is Navajo land and it must be respected.
ENJOY THE VIDEO!
Travel Update:
We have left New Mexico and are now in Arizona visiting Flagstaff, Sedona and Prescott. We will be spending a week at Lost Dutchman State Park before starting our trek North, hoping to enter Canada the first week of June! The Alaska adventure is about to get real! Stay tuned!
Interesting and beautiful! Carry on you Vagabonds!!!