Bandelier National Monument (Part 2)
Overlook from the canyon rim into Bandelier National Monument
A thrilling moment is when you make the turn to go down into the canyon at Bandelier. 2 lane road with a cliff on one side and no room for error. Would have loved to take a picture of the road for this journal but stopping is not allowed (obviously someone has tried it before). 500' down into the canyon bottom. Ahhh, the warmth of lower elevations!!
This is the first truly significant monument to be hit on this adventure. During my ride here I calculated that I have visited this place over 30 times during the last 14 years. It's a great place to take visitors to, and also has some hiking and camping (for the rugged). Languages heard today included Japanese, German and Spanish. Bandelier is also near Santa Fe, a great foreign tourist destination. Most foreigners today were with American hosts, just like I have done with my Texan "foreign" visitors many times before.
Finally, reserved motorcycle parking - and this time with a priority location next to "Official Vehicles"!
The "live in the side of the cliff" pueblo.
Holes were dug in the soft volcanic material (tuft) to add additional room for the native buildings. This room being visited by the tourists above was reconstructed in the 1920's.
The pueblo below seen as one climbs the cliffs.
Climbing in. Looks primitive but most of these rooms were carved behind earthen brick pueblo structures.
The original climb a ladder and live in a hole dwelling. The more sophisticated tourist waits until they can look out the entrance for a picture. I have seen pink lamps in furniture stores with the ladder to hole motif. Now I know where they got it.
Lots of touistas.
There are crowds here, the trick is to start your tour before the end of the interpretative film. A slug of folks start touring after the end of each showing. The film takes 10-15 minutes and explains the culture and history of the park and native inhabitants. This place was inhabited from 1100 to around 1600 when the Spanish arrived whereupon the residents left and were assumed to blend into other surrounding tribes. Touring this monument will take about an hour, more if you wish to ascend to the Ceremonial Cave - a 150' ladder climb from the canyon floor to a dusty covered opening. No one knows whether any ceremonies were performed here, but to the early romantic explorers not bothered by fact there could have.
Frijoles (meaning "Beans") Creek - about 4'-6' across and maybe 1' deep.
After taking pictures of the monument went to the gift shop and bought juice and some chips. Rested by the Frijoles Creek in the shade. Have always wondered how such a small water source could provide the water needed to support the natives that once lived there.
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