Heading Home to Havasu from Angel Fire

Left cabin around 7:30.   First stop was the Rio Grande Bridge in Taos.   Wanted to get daylight pics.   It was soooooo cold but worth the drive.    Headed for Santa Fe.....Bobby wanted to buy my birthday gift.....necklace.   We had meant to purchase on Wed when we were in Santa Fe.

Left Santa Fe and headed to Acoma to take the Sky City Tour.   Got there around 12:30, watched the movie, looked thru and museum and wasted time wating for our tour at 1:15.   Tour takes about 2 hrs, that's if you walk down from the mesa, which we did.   This is a place that everyone should see.  It costs $20 a person (seniors $17).   They did not charge us for our camera, usually it $10 extra but so worth the price.   You have to ask permission to take pics of individuals, pottery and you can't take pics of the cemetary or inside the church.

Once we left Acoma, we head to exit 81 on freeway where we turned to take hwy 53 back to Gallup.   We did not see as much as we'd like due to darkness setting in.   Another reason for us to return to this area.   Along this stretch you see El Malpais &, El Morro National Monuments, Ice/Volcano Park and Zuni Pueblo.   We did however see a beautiful sunset.   We arrived in Gallup around 6:00, headed to the local movie theater, as we decided to see the new Harry Porter movie.  Got tickets for the 6:40 showing.  Went to Lotaburger, grabbed a burger and head back to movies.   We'll head out on our last leg towards home tomorrow

Traveling to Angel Fire, NM

Left home on Friday the 12th around 2:30.   I (Jo) played in a golf tournament in the morning and as soon as I finished the round, we headed out.   Good news, my partner and I placed 1st place in our flight for net.   YEAH!
Susy & Dan are babysitting Max for the week.   Hopefully he behaves for them.  Susy is so nerveous he is going to run away.....I know he won't. 

We head out I-40 towards New Mexico.    Got dark between Flagstaff and Holbrook, so we decided to stop for the night in Gallup, NM.  I wanted to see the sites, not just pass them by.   When we got out of the car, I thought we'd traveled to far east.....it was extremely cold....29 degrees.   I told Bobby, not sure we brought enough clothes, might have to go shopping....LOL.   Went to dinner at local restaurant, manager told us their is nothing spectacular to see in Gallup.   We stayed at the Best Western at exit 20.   Cost us $59.....to much for less than 12 hours but better than sleeping in the car!!!!

We know we will be heading for Acoma tomorrow so won't spend much time here, as we are meeting my sister around 1:00 PM in Angel Fire.

Acoma

Chloride

The six of us (Steve, Kat, Susan, Dan, Bobby & myself) left Havasu around 7:30 to head for Kingman, where we were going to have breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then head to Chloride to see the murals.   These are famous murals painted by artist Roy Purcell. 

These murals are about 1 1/2 miles north of Chloride and you should have a 4X4 to reach them.  The road is extremely rough but the drive is well worth the hassle.   We had a great time climbing around the murals and surronding area.  http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/chloride.htm

On the way back to down, went by the old copper mine but it was extremely dangerous to climb around since the shafts are unmarked.  

 We then head to to Kingman to the Andy Devine museum.   Spent most of the time in the visitors center, looking at the old train.  We then headed to Mr. D's for milkshakes.   The guys departed company with us girls, as we were going shopping.   We made it back about 2 1/2 hours later.

Hike to Crack in the Wall

Left at 7:30 to head for Sara Park where the hike begins.   Only Bobby & I had been there before, the other three it was there first time.   Boy, were they in for a treat.   Took the yellow trail which takes you thru the heart of the canyon......some day I would love to be in the canyon when water starts to flow....what a rush that would be....granted I would be up on a very high rock.

The hike down to the lake/river is about 2.2 miles and is a gradual incline down.  The colors inside the canyon are amazing....going from browns, greens, pinks, purple, etc.   Knew we had to go down the slide area (drop on smooth rock of about 10'.....way to cool to slide down.  Makes you feel like a little kid again).  We thought we would not encounter any water, as it had been so hot.....wrong!   When we got to the pool area, we had about 2' of water.   Yes, that is almost to my waist!   Four of us waded thru....it was extremely warm and knew we'd dry out quickly.   Susan however wanted to turn around and go back the way we came.   With a vote of 4 to 1, Bobby put her on his shoulder and carried her the 4' to drive land.   Doubtful she'll ever go again on a hike with me!!!!!  

Steve coming down slide

Susan being carried thru water

Made it to the river after about 1 1/2 hrs.   Did not spend much time at the water, it was getting hot and knew we had to climb the 2.2 miles back up.   Went on the blue trail vs. going back thru the water and up the slide.  It is a steep climb up and out.  Everyone was tired and hot by the time we reached the car.   For celebration, we went to Panda Express for lunch.   Worth the hike!  Yes, we will return again as Danny (Susan's husband) wants to go.   He stayed home to watch the Nascar race.   See what he missed!

Crack in the wall hike