May 13 & 14

We were up and out by 8am heading to Tetilla Peak Campground in Pena Blanca NM. It’s about 5 1/2  hours drive. New Mexico is a time change. Hit it about 9:30. Driving along the famous Rt. 66, the landscape goes from flat as far as you can see to some pretty cool hills and rock formations. Landscape really started to change around Santa Rosa.

Entering Pena Blanca around noon, we drove to our site at Tetilla Peak and found someone already in our spot. Thinking they hadn’t checked out yet we drove down the road to Cochiti Lake where we ate our lunch while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Pena Blanca is this lovely little area tucked into the middle of hills surrounding it on all sides. It’s about an hour from Santa Fe. When we returned to the campground the people were still there so I asked if they were checking out and they thought they were there another night so we took the one open across the road which was nicer anyway, overlooking the lake. We had another beautiful day in the 80’s. Took a ride to the nearest store about 20 minuets away to get ice then came back, cooked pizza on the grill, showered and just enjoying the incredible view. I wish the pictures could show the magnitude of the scenery is really like. It’s magnificent. 

May 14

We were up and out by 8:15 to head to Bandelier National Monument. There are several hikes and trails. Not sure what we will do until we get there. The elevation there is over 6,000 feet. There are some cave dwellings carved into rock cliffs dating back 1,000 years. Driving into the park along Rt. 4 is amazing. The rock formations and mountains are majestic. The whole area was formed by volcanic eruptions. Driving to Bandelier National Monument has been one of the most beautiful rides. The road winds through lava formed mountains that have so much character it was incredible. The park entrance was free with our senior pass. We walked the Main Loop with 21 stops along the way which had markers explaining what we were seeing. We were able to climb up along the sides of the mountain on a trail and see how the Pueblo people lived and visit the caves. We could climb ladders to look into some of the caves and view the pictographs along the side of the mountain. Their tribe hasn’t lived there for over 450 years. Walking out of the area through the woods I noticed a warm, sawdust smell. Different than what we have at home. 

We stopped at Jambo’s Cafe in Santa Fe for lunch. We ordered a chicken curry wrap and salad (which was the best salad we ever had out). We brought half back to the campground. It was so delicious! Stopped to pick up wine and now heading back to campground.