Goblin Cathedral

One of our favorite sites in New Mexico is the complex and beautiful spires and weathered cliffs of the Goblin Colony in the Jemez area.  The weathered volcanic tuff forms many clusters of steeples and chimneys and several giant, steep outcroppings.  Interspersed are ponderosa pines and alligator junipers making for a wonderland of sights.  We also explored the late Permian fossil layers with their clams and brachiopods near Battleship Rock.

Kelly’s thoughts…

I’ve been to Goblin Colony a few times, but every time I go I see new and amazing things.  We took a jillion pics because it’s impossible not to (see the gallery below)  We decided this time that Goblin Colony isn’t really the best name for the place, and we are trying out Goblin Cathedral instead.  The site is actually right next to a forest road suitable for cars, but because it’s in a canyon over a small rise, and there is no specific parking area or signage it’s only known to people with some good sleuthing knowledge.  Like many of the sites we love most, I fear it will one day be developed and subject to all the problems of over-visitation by too many people.

But as it is, it remains a great, remote site where one can climb around and explore the wonders of the weathered stone.  The rock itself is fairly recent deposits of pyroclastic rhyolite from eruption of the caldera that has weathered into the odd structures.  Near the top are collections of pinnacles in clusters that are great for exploring.  We worked our way through these along the hillside.  Interspersed were flowers and trees and beautiful views.

Then we worked our way down into the valley where giant ridges of cliffs traverse the hillside.  Below these there are additional weathered structures in the valley.  Along the base of one giant cliff there are a few petroglyphs that appear to be snakes and possibly a human figure.  The cactus blossoms and other flowers were beautiful.  Hummingbirds and swifts were common at the site.  Riki is incredible at exploring, climbing through holes and into tight spots.  She is truly a wonder and an amazing adventure partner!  The dogs were so happy to get out today.  They will sleep all day tomorrow, I’m sure.

On the way back along the main road we stopped near Battleship Rock to hunt Permian marine fossils that tumble out of the rocks for many miles along the road.  The kids and I used to stop here regularly, and it’s a well-known site.  Riki and I found clams, brachiopods, crinoids, bryophytes and some other great fossils.  The day was simply beautiful, one that we really needed.

Riki’s thoughts…

Kelly and I are both plagued with an inability to sleep well. It is as if the hamsters in our brain will not get off the wheel and curl up in the pile of bedding in the corner. Kelly had not slept well last night, and I am a light sleeper, so I did not sleep super well, either. When I first woke up, it looked cloudy and gloomy outside, and I feared that our outing we had planned would need to be postponed, due to both the weather and the insomnia. This was unfortunate, because although we are good at going on adventures, neither of us are that good at keeping a positive attitude when having to do all the normal adulting things that must be done. We ramble around the house, seeing only what still needs to be done instead of feeling content with what we get done. It causes us to not just want to, but need to, get out and let ourselves find cognitive rest as our bodies are finding physical challenge and our hearts are delighting in adventure.

Kelly checked the weather, and it looked good for the spot where we were heading. In fact, as we were driving away from Albuquerque, we could see that the clouds that had made the morning gloomy on Sandia Crest were an isolated bank just on the mountain. In fact, it was warm, almost hot, as we hiked. The Goblin Cathedral is on a steep slope, so there is some scrambling up and over the ridge to start the hike, and then somewhat treacherous steep climb down and around the formations. When hiking, I often say that up is harder, down is scarier. There was some of both today. Totally worth it, though. Kelly’s brother Keith says to trust your boots as you are on steep slopes. When the slope is thick with rock and soil, it is fun to sink and slide with each step. When there is bare rock, it is good to feel the boots firmly gripping the rock. The in-between, when there is just a bit of dirt over rock, is the scariest, because there is a bit more slipping and sliding than I like. There were only a few spots like that on today’s hike, though.

I was delighted to find some wonderful crawling and scrambling spots. One was a tight squeeze into an open area and then another tight squeeze. I filmed my trek through, and later when I was looking at the footage, I noticed a creepy shadow on the rock that looked like a man standing in the open area. On another spot, I crawled up into the coziest little alcove, just the right size for me and Rango, after Kelly boosted him up to join me.

The climb back out was tough. It was hot, and my legs were tired from my workout yesterday. But my secret is to keep looking for things that I can stop and enjoy, a flower, a vista, an unusual rock. Then, when I find something worthy of further investigation, I take the time to rest as I investigate. I found a LOT of things worthy of my attention today, both because of the beauty of the spot, and because of the fatigue in my body. Before we knew it, we were up on the top of the ridge, looking down at our truck. The dogs enjoyed their long drinks under the shade of the truck. They were troopers today, and became experts at finding shade to rest in. It is about the time of year when New Mexico adventures are replaced with Colorado High Country adventures. We will enjoy New Mexico again when the cooler fall weather hits.

The fossil site was super cool! Kelly showed me what I was to be looking for, and then I was off on the hunt. We found some beautiful fossilized shells of critters that have very long names. Elfie found a shady spot and parked herself there while Rango continued his pursuit of lizards. It was a wonderful, wonderful day. I continue to be amazed at how much fun Kelly and I have when we are out exploring together. He knows how to have the best excursions, and I am so blessed to be his travelling companion!!