New Mexico

New Mexico has the most diverse geologic landscapes of any place on the earth, mountains, lakes, deserts, ancient volcanic activity including lava flows and ash deposits.

The following is a pictorial description of great places to visit in New Mexico starting with Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument formed from an explosive volcanic eruption 6-7 million years ago that deposited pumice and ash which is the basis of the tent rock formations.

The "Miraculous Staircase" at the Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe.

Two mysteries surround the spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel; the identity of its builder and the physics of the staircase construction.

When the Loretto Chapel was completed, there was no way to access the choir loft, 22 feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the problem but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small Chapel.

To find a solution to the problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. Legend says on the ninth and final day of prayer, a man showed up at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later the elegant circular staircase was completed and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man (an ad even ran in the local newspaper) and finding no trace of him, some concluded that he was St. Joseph himself.

The stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent structure. The design was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex experts today.

The staircase has two 360 degree turns and has no visible means of support. Also, it is said that the staircase was built without nails -- only wooden pegs. Questions also surround the number of stair risers compared to the height of the choir loft and about the types of wood and other materials used in the stairway's construction.

Over the years many have flocked to the Loretto Chapel to see the Miraculous Staircase. The staircase has been the subject of many articles, TV specials, and movies including "Unsolved Mysteries" and the Kraft movie called "The Staircase".

City of Rocks State Park

Formed of volcanic ash 30 million years ago and sculpted by wind and water into rows of monolithic blocks, City of Rocks State Park takes its name from these incredible rock formations. Cactus gardens and hiking trails add to this unique destination. The rock formations at the park are so unique that they are only known to exist in six other places in the world. Imaginative visitors may see the rock formations as a small city, complete with houses, chimneys, courtyards, and streets.

Until 1200 A.D., Mimbres Indian roamed this area and left arrowheads and pottery shards as evidence of their culture. Spanish conquistadors also spent time in the area, carving crosses into the rocks.

Visitors can see a sampling of southwestern plant and animal. The park's desert botanical garden is home to cow's tongue and bunny ear cacti, Yucca, and towering Century plants. Deer, antelope, javelinas, and jackrabbits are frequently seen in the area, along with over 35 species of birds, ranging from Golden Eagles to finches.

Bisti Badlands

About a half hour's drive south of Farmington, New Mexico on Rte. 371 lies the Bisti Badlands. This is a wilderness area of unique geological formations and a fascinating place for photographers to visit. It is on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land and thus (fortunately) protected from mining or other forms of commercial development.

It's a vast piece of land and along with the nearby De-Na-Zin Wilderness presents a daunting prospect for exploration. There are no trails or maps or facilities and one can wander for days though this bizarre moonscape. A GPS unit is strongly suggested and we found it very handy to have one when trying to find our way back (in the growing dark) to where we'd parked earlier in the day. There are almost no distinguishing landmarks and a good deal of the time you'll be walking through narrow washes with limited visibility.

Bring a GPS and water!

Acoma Pueblo

The Pueblo, believed to have been established in the twelfth century or earlier, was chosen in part because of its defensive position against raiders. It is regarded as one the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States, along with Old Oraibi, Arizona, as both communities were settled in the 11th century. Access to the pueblo is difficult as the faces of the mesa are sheer. Before modern times access was gained only by means of a hand-cut staircase carved into the sandstone.

Hidden Mountain and the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone

Hidden Mountain west of Los Lunas, New Mexico holds one of the greatest archeological secrets in New Mexico. The "Los Lunas Decalogue Stone", which is a Phoenician version of the Ten Commandments was carved in about the 1st maybe 2nd century BCE. If the stone is in fact legitimate, it is a history changing piece of evidence for the early arrival of Europeans to this continent. An investigation by Roger L. Williamson B.A; M. Div. has one of the best authentication studies I've seen. His web page may be viewed here. Williamson