Quick jaunt to New Mexico
A little microadventure quenches the quarantine thirst
Not that it has been all that “winter-y” in Durango lately (it’s been pretty mild) but Regan and I made a quick jaunt down to New Mexico to get a few degrees warmer and bright sunshine on our faces. Nothing big, certainly nothing extravagant, but a “micro-adventure” (a la Alastair Humphries) nonetheless.
The intended destination was the Bisti/Ne-Na-Zin Wilderness area, about 35 or so miles south of Farmington. We have seen the Instagram-worthy hoodoos and mysterious plains frequently, so our interest was certainly piqued. From our place, it’s a bit over an hour and a half — easy drive, light traffic, just enough distance to know you are somewhere else, without a giant commitment. Plus, it was a place neither Regan nor I had ever been (although I have driven NM371 a dozen times or more, just never spent 15 minutes to take the left turn and check it out!)
It was probably 50 degrees, and a little blustery, but not bad. Regan is still nurturing a gimpy knee from a Jerry-of-the-Day skiing incident a couple weeks ago, so the desert floors’ flat plain was perfect for hazard-free, slow meandering. Getting up into the tight washes, however, challenged her ability to pick through the rocks and balanced stepping around the delicate soils and gravel. In short — it was pretty cool. Lots of individual little gullies topped with mushroom-shaped hoodoos and layers of taupe and grey and charcoal. Scattered shards (agate??) and other gravels dusted the slopes. Yeah, pretty cool.
Was nice to be totally spread out, fairly non-directed (basically there is a trailhead, but the whole place is one big, flat wash) and meandering seemed to be the way. Sunday style!
On the return drive we decided to head to Salmon Ruins between Farmington and Bloomfield, but it is closed for the month of February. I also recalled Aztec Ruins, yet another spot I have never stopped — and wow was I surprised at the size of that place, and the condition and accessibility of the rooms, the large kiva, and the “directional” paved path that guides you carefully through the rooms and passageways. Yes, I recognize that people would now like to retire the “ruin” moniker for these places — they certainly are not “ruined,” but historic, archeological relics that represent the past (even though, again, descendants of these places are still very much around us. Regardless, highly recommended for a visit!
