Road Trip~West Central NM

We left Quemado, NM and headed north into El Malpais National Monument and Cebolla Wilderness. El Malpais means The Badlands due to the volcanic activity in the area. The land is covered in thick layers of rugged, black lava and lava tubes pock the area. The Chain of Craters Wilderness area is also nearby and begs to be explored.

This area is also bordered by both the Acoma and Zuni Pueblo Indian Reservations.
In addition the Continental Divide Trail meanders through the Wilderness and El Malpais National Monument as it travels the length of the Rocky Mountains from Mexico up to Canada.

We stopped off at The Narrows picnic area to do some exploring. Most of the rock in the area is igneous rock called Tuff, which is basically formed from volcanic ash that was spewed during pyroclastic flows about a thousand years ago.
Val had fun scrambling over the rocks.
I really like this photo of my dear friend Val. She looks so beautiful in this natural setting.
Like me, Val loves to hike and explore. I can't wait until I can join her this summer when my knee is stronger. (click pic to biggify)
Be careful on those curves or you'll end up like Tippy Truck!
This gorgeous Tuff was such a lovely pink color.
Through The Narrows we had black lava on one side of the road and these steep, impressive cliffs rising directly beside us on the other side.
The Sawtooth Mountains face West and we were there the perfect time of day: Sunset.
There were mysterious caves tucked into the cliffs, too.
The Sawtooth Mountains of New Mexico, touched by the setting sun, glowed a warm red, as if the color was emanating from the inside of the rock.
These gorgeous mountains stretched on for several miles.
We couldn't get enough of the amazing rock formations.
I just stuck my camera out the window, as we drove down the road, and kept my finger on the shutter, snapping photo after photo.
As the sun went down the shadows lengthened.
The road twisted and turned with breathtaking views in every direction, yet not another car on the road.
As we rounded a bend La Ventana Arch revealed itself to us in all it's grandeur.
Information about this must-see area (click pic for a larger view)
Val and I couldn't get enough of admiring all these impressive and beautiful rocks and cliffs. We were like a couple of young girls so excited.
Information on how La Ventana Arch was formed. (click to biggify)
A close-up.
Apparently there are more elk living in West Central New Mexico, than people. Over 70,000 elk call this area home.
We were amazed how these 50-100 ft Ponderosa pine trees could grow right out of the rocks in these cliffs.
These are very similar to the Tent Rocks, also formed by volcanic ash (tuff), located in the Jemez Mountains in Central New Mexico.
Check out these huge Ponderosa pine trees!
It appears as if our road dead-ends at that wall.
But then the road makes a quick turn.
We were losing light and the sun was setting.
We drove Interstate 40 through Albuquerque, on the way back home.

Letterboxing Road Trip~ West Central NM

Whoowee! I don't think I realized how many photos I took from our road trip adventure. I've even deleted half of them! And I've still got bunches to share here, of which I'll do in two parts, so noone's eyes glaze over. hah!

My horse riding friend/letterboxing buddy, Val of Fantastyk Voyage invited me to join her on a road trip/letterboxing adventure along with her Mom and Sister-in-Law(SIL). The plans were originally just to drive out to Pie Town to find a letterbox and enjoy a slice of the famous pie, but we discovered that Pie Town is completely shut down on Sundays, so we decided to focus on letterboxing.

Our first letterbox was called New Mexico in a Box placed in the perfect locale. We found the letterbox and it's very appropriate hand-carved stamp and clever logbook, in a box canyon not far from Socorro, NM. I was a little envious that Val was able to do some rock scrambling and exploring as that is something I enjoy, too. But she was a good sport willing to pose for pictures. (Thanks Val!)
After leaving The Box we decided to listen to our tummies that had been growling very loudly and we headed into the little prairie town of Magdalena, NM, which is surrounded by National Forest and Wilderness.

I noticed this little fiber shop and just had to get a picture. See the llama and angora goat, and the cute sheep?
This house also caught my eye. Many of the buildings and homes are historic and beautifully unique.
We enjoyed driving down different roads all around town. We just never knew what we might see.
(His tummy was empty, too)
Hmmmm. Very anatomically correct.
I thought this adobe wall, literally 'hand'made, was beautiful.
We were all tickled to stumble upon this cowboy, whom we fondly named Rusty. Val finally found her a rough and rugged cowboy. Though, she may need a tetanus shot if she goes any farther with the relationship. (Jeez, that baggy shirt and those wrinkly pants make me look so fat! Yukko!)


Sorry Rusty. It just wasn't meant to be.

I was very impressed with Magdalena's re-use/recycling efforts of turning the old train depot into a handsome, historic library.

Well we just couldn't wait any longer to satisfy our hunger and we stopped at the only restaurant open in town.
First on the table was a plate full of delicious handmade tortilla chips and spicy, flavorful salsa. Yummo!
Val's SIL ordered fried shrimp. (I know! Who orders seafood in a middle-of-nowhere restaurant in New Mexico? Days away from any ocean, no less! hah! SIL said they were yummy, though. I took her word for it.)
Because I ordered the best Navajo Taco I have ever eaten in my life! The sopapilla was soft and wonderfully handmade. I ordered it with 'Christmas', which in "New Mexico Speak" is red chile and green chile served together. Oh my gosh, talk about a 'food-gasm'. I was right there, baby!
(Wipe that drool of your chin my friend!)
Val ordered a Green Chile Cheeseburger, which she said tasted great. The cheese was a little weird, though. (Click photo to bigefy)
Val's Mom ordered a scrumptious Enchilada, also with 'Christmas'. Mmmmmm!

After we finished our meals (my first restaurant meal since my injury, by the way) we waddled out of the Ponderosa Restaurant and explored Magdalena a little more.

The old bank building on Main street.
I saw a sign for the Old Stock Shipping Yards and was so excited to check it out. (Click pic to biggefy)
I swear I could almost hear the sounds and smells of the cowboys, horses, sheep and the cattle along with the steam and whistling sounds of the train still lingering like ghosts.
There were a few horses at the far end that were being kept in one of the pens. So cool!
The place was just sprawling more than an acre. Unfortunately I wasn't able to climb down in there to explore, but Val did and even posed for a picture in one of the ramp chutes.


We left Magdalena and drove a little farther on to find a letterbox and visit the famous Very Large Array (VLA).
I've been here a number of times over the past 18 years and Ranchman John's father even spent time here years ago working on site. It's always very windy here on the Plains of San Augustin.
It's quite a spectacle to see as you drive across the plains.
A very unique place, definetely a location to place on your Bucket List.

We always see lots of wildlife when we visit, including herds of Pronghorn Antelope.


I'm very grateful for my camera's zoom...zoom!
This is where the NRAO works on the huge radio telescopes. Can you see Val and I down there?
The machines used to move and work around the telescopes were very cool.

It's impressive to get up close to these huge structures.

Near the visitor center we noticed a coyote on the prowl.
Everywhere we looked we saw Jack Rabbits being flushed out of their hiding places. The coyote kept his eye out for an easy meal.
He moved on across the tracks that are used to move the radio telescopes across the plains. (click pic to biggify)
This guy said, "Whew! Coyote's gone"

When it was time to leave the VLA, we experienced some traffic.
A Bovine Train
This little one was so cute! Y'all know how much I love me an 'orca-colored' critter.
And just check out this guy. I named him Norman (Remember City Slickers?)


Looking in her pretty doe eyes, I could hear her thinking, "Ok lady, can you move on and stop pointing that black box at me? Sheesh. Hooomans!"

We were finally on our way driving west on 60 towards Pie Town. There were the typical beautiful New Mexico vistas everywhere we looked.
(Click any of the pics to biggify)


We crossed over the Continental Divide at 8,000 ft elevation right before we scooted into Pie Town. Only two restaurants serve Pie Town and they both serve pie....but not on Sunday. (sob)
I was still a good sport and pretended to eat pie.
We found the cleverly hidden letterbox, and it's lovely hand carved stamp easily and Val even posed for a photo on "main street" in front of Daily Pie Cafe. There were only 3 buildings on 'main street' an two served pie. (we did find a broken Easy Boot on the ground in front of the truck. Do you see it below the 'R'? It was nice to know horses had been there.)
We were all surprised to find out that, when the restaurants are open their pies cost $5-6 a slice and $20.00 a pie. Whew! It must be some good pie! I do look forward to coming back for some one day.

We left Pie Town and headed North West towards Quemado, NM where we stopped for a snack and a photo of this attractive stone church.

To be Continued...........