It was our pleasure to spend the last week in southwestern Colorado splitting our days between outdoor adventures and time with family. Friday’s drive up from Sandia was a bit too damp for us to enjoy our scheduled hike near Ouray, so we instead enjoyed more time with Edith (Mom) in the evening. Saturday morning […]
Riki’s thoughts… Last weekend, we had a friend come visit for the weekend, Mark Miller. Mark’s family and Kelly’s family have been adventuring together for Mark’s and Kelly’s earliest years. It was my pleasure to get to know Mark in high school and to face our freshman year at Colorado State University together. Reconnecting with
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Along a trail in the Pecos watershed is a small stream that partially disappears into caves in the cliffs. It’s a truly unique and beautiful place, and the hike to get there passes through a fantastic canyon with aspen and ponderosa and an abundance of wildflowers and butterflies. Riki’s thoughts… I had a bit of
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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
Red Wash Canyon is a surprising gem of a hike with an unusual slot canyon, an incredible palette of colors, and a fascinating petroglyph rock in a pass high above the Rio Chama. Kelly’s thoughts… Red Wash has much to offer. Near the trailhead, off to the side, is an unusual slot canyon. I’m always
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A low hill, visible from miles around, and with spectacular panoramic views of central New Mexico, has been the perfect place for people to display rock art for many years. Very ancient artwork had additions over generations, including vandalism and graffiti from recent times, as well as recent artwork including a baby deer and a
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A remote ruin in northern New Mexico is a last remnant of the Gallina people, a Pueblo tribe that disappeared before Europeans arrived in the region. A hike up a beautiful canyon and a stiff climb up the canyon side led us to a hidden cliff house tucked away in a secluded corner of the
New Mexico is an amazingly rich world of geology. Mountains, crystals, landforms and fossils are everywhere and there for the exploring. Our adventure involved a hunt for staurolite crystals… stauros, meaning “cross,” and lithos, meaning “stone”… “cross stone.” The unique shape of these crystals, often “twins” at 60 degree angles, makes them truly unique. There
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This was our second trip to our beloved Bisti Badlands in a couple of weeks. But this one was our first adventure with a mix of kiddos from our two families. Tori (Riki’s daughter) and Josey (Kelly’s son) are our youngest kids, and it was wonderful to finally get them together in the Wild. Although it
Bisti badlands, Dreams and Wings Read More »
A remote wonderland of geology, the Bisti De-Na-Zin Wilderness is one of our favorite places in the world. With vast collections of hoodoos and amazing rocks and fossils, there are endless opportunities for the imagination. The weathering of the interbedded slate, sandstone, mudstone, and soils has resulted in a fantasy land of scenery. Kelly’s thoughts…
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