5/25/2025 Overland to Santa Fe                        Bandelier National Monument

Finally, we begin to hike the Pueblo Loop Trail - Big Kiva.
 

Bandelier protects over 33,000 rugged canyons 

and mesa terrain acres, countless wildlife, 

and evidence of early communities 

of the Ancestral Pueblo people 

dating back over 11,000 years.

 

I love the challenges of climbing ladders, 

examining the petroglyphs and checking out 

the rock cliff carved dwellings.

Unfortunately, Cave Kiva, a very popular and 

heavily visited part of the Pueblo Loop Trail was vandalized. 

Serious damage was done, and the Bandelier Rangers and Preservationists revoked public access, 

removed the ladder, and posted closure signs 

with severe warnings. 

This was the most massive fallen tree 

I have ever seen during any of my hikes.

 

5/23/2025  Albuquerque, New Mexico's Downtown vs. Old Town diversity & cultural hubs

After finally arriving at the correct Albuquerque Hilton Garden Inn (Downtown, not Airport), five of us celebrated with massive plates of chiles, meats, salsas, and sauces, but two of us went beyond with amazing desserts (key lime pie) for Maryann and a cream puff larger than my head for me.

The Cream Puff Explosion!

In 1540, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado 

was the first conquistador to venture 

into what is now New Mexico.

The first Spanish settlers followed in 1706. 

San Felipe de Neri Church served as a House of Prayer 

for over 300 years as the Mother Church of Albuquerque.

Shops, galleries, restaurants, and other local businesses, 

and attractions are quite an eclectic mix, 

from Camino 66's 286 categories of chatchkas 

to the Breaking Bad Store and its small museum near 

the corner of South Plaza Street and Rio Grande Boulevard.

And don't forget Salsa Saint, with its ubiquitous, 

largest collection of "Made in New Mexico" salsas.  It also has Hatch green and red chile sauces,

and hot sauces that you can mix and match.

(Even drivers' license plates feature 

the green and red peppers side by side 

against a black background.)

Waiting for my Steak Quesadilla, 

with every salsa and sauce available.