DESTINATION SOUTHWEST DESERT

 








New Mexico

After leaving Texas, we headed first into New Mexico and then other states in the Southwest to get glimpses of the desert in bloom.  We were able to visit more members of our family who reside in the region as well as see some interesting sites.  This journey we are on continues to be full of beauty and a feast for the eyes.  We hope our pictures provide a vehicle for us to share a bit of it with you.


Taos

This community reflects the influence of the many resident artists.  It is also home to the Pueblo people and culture.  In fact it is one of the only Pueblo's that allows visitors into to their daily life. Unfortunately, the actual Pueblo village was closed the month that we were there but the influence of their culture was evident almost everywhere one looked.  If you would like to learn more about this wonderful culture of over 1000 years in existence, you might want to click on this link.  http://taospueblo.com/about/

No we did not visit another planet.......these are actual earth homes being built   in the Biosphere development just outside of Taos, New Mexico.

Santa Fe

This quickly became one of our favorite cities to explore.  One highlight was a visit to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum which told her life story as well as featuring original examples of her abstract art work.  We expanded this experience by visiting her home of 40 years named "Ghost Ranch" outside of Santa Fe.  The following pictures will give you an idea of where much of her inspiration for her paintings came from.

And finally........the village near her ranch that housed one of her studios.

Now back to Santa Fe......

This stairway had no railings when first designed, but they were added in later years for safely reasons.  It is still a mystery as to how it can be free standing without any support.

This was a favorite restaurant of ours with a very funky atmosphere.

Albuquerque

We really enjoyed visiting Old Town Albuquerque. The majority of our time was spent there and on the well preserved section of the famous and historic Route 66 which went through this city.

Arizona

It was in Arizona that we saw the majority of the desert flowers.  We stayed in Tucson at Davis Monthan AFB and visited with Cathryn's brother's family, explored Bisbee, Sedona, and Camp Verde on our way north before heading into Utah.

 Tucson

 The desert in bloom........the pictures speak for themselves.

We enjoyed visiting with Cathryn's brother, Cliff and his family, wife Carol and sons, Curtis and Chris while in Tucson.

We had a very nice visit with John's niece, Sandy who lives in Oro Valley, AZ.

Sedona

Montezuma's Castle

Ancient cliff dwellings near Camp Verde, Arizona

Hurricane,Utah

Mac and Susan, John's brother and sister in law, in their beautiful back yard in Hurricane, Utah.  They are a hoot!!

We drove thru Zion and had a great lunch at Oscar's in Springdale.

Zion National Park

Morman Temple in St. George, Utah

Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead, Nevada

This ancient Indian rock art or Petroglyphs are plentiful throughout the park.

That's the end of the Southwest Trail....going on to California, Oregon, Idaho and home to Montana.