This was going to be a very good day trip. After the alarm was shut off I could not resist taking a picture of Linda and I still in bed (timer on camera actually works). The next one is a view from our bed of our camper. As you can see I got my big foot in the way. The coffee is brewing, the sun is shinning outside. We really like our camper, and are enjoying our trip.
The next several pics are of the landscape on our trip back in to New Mexico to see El Morro, Bandera Volcano and the Ice Cave.
A tumbleweed stopped by a fence.
We entered Zuni-Land and visited Zuni Pueblo which is the largest of the 19 Pueblo in New Mexico. We looked a some of the craft work of the Zuni artist.
The pic below is of the earthen oven that the Zuni people still use.
The following pics are of the area around El Morro National Monument, New Mexico.
This is El Morro National Monument. This place was on the main east-west trail, and there is a pool of water at its base that was used by travelers. There are inscriptions on the rock by the pool showing that this was used by the Zuni Indians, the Spaniards, and American travelers.
This building is the visitors center for the Bandera Volcano and Ice Cave. The lady inside is the granddaughter of the man who bought this land for $3.00 an acre in the early1900's. This trading post was built in the 1930's. Her parent came there in 1946 and began a tourist attraction.
The path up to the volcano.
Huge chunk of lava rock.
The path went from level ground to up. It was about 3/4 of a mile to the rim of the volcano.
Lava rock from the volcano.
An old Ponderosa pine.
This is the crater looking from the rim. The crater is approx 1400 feet across, and 800 feet deep. The elevation at the lookout point is 8,036 feet, the rim is 8,367.
Next on to the Ice Caves.
More lava rock which reminded us of Hell, Grand Cayman Islands.
Going down into the cave.
The explanation for the Ice Cave.
The frozen floor which is 20 feet thick.
It never gets about 31 degrees in the cave.
Back up out of the cave into the warmth of the sunshine.
A little visitor on the steps back up.
The ice cave was truly amazing to us. Hot it could be that cold in the cave and the sun just a few yards away. This was a good day and we enjoyed the time.
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