Day 13 and Santa Fe to Canyon de Chelly in Arizona

When I left Santa Fe I back-tracked to the East and South back down to Villanueva and then headed straight South to Hwy 40 West. The drive to Villanueva was very nice. I saw some very old and unique sights. I came around a corner while running along the Pecos River and I found the huge Champion tree you see in one of the photos here.

As I drove South the wind increased and when I hit Hwy 40 it became intense. At times I couldn't drive over 50 mph or the crosswinds would walk me right off the road. Several times the dust storms caused such a dim view I had to drive 25 mph. When I turned North after crossing into Arizona the road became very, very desolate. Then, when I arrived in Ganado and needed gas... none of the stations had any? I continued North and arrived in Chinle running on vapors. Whew! That was close.

Tomorrow will be touring Canyon de Chelly.

Driving Around Santa Fe and the Mora River Valley.

Santa Fe was interesting. But, some of the downtown seemed more commercial touriste' like Taos. Taos didn't do much for me. If I had a ton of money to spend, then yes, I could have had some fun. Instead of wandering Santa Fe City proper, which had no parking, I hit the back roads. I got some tips from my friends there and headed back North and then East and made a loop through the Mora River Valley and then down south of Hwy 25 to Villanueva. At times I thought I was stepping back in time. When I got back on 25 heading to Santa Fe for the night, the wind and haze was nuts. When you mix the dust with the smoke of the forest fires west of us, which you could smell, it made the visibility pretty bad. From what I saw around Villanueva I will probably head back through there on the way out of Santa Fe.

Day 11 and I have seen the Mission, and the Mission, and the Mission...

I got up early and left Alamosa Colorado and headed to Sante Fe. Didn't think I would make it all the way there in 1 day. In the little town of Antonitia there is a major Railroad exchange. It took a few miles of circling around but I found the old RR station.

I have seen some lonely and desolate highways. But, there is inspiration out there. The old Missions and churches come in all sizes and descriptions. After crossing into New Mexico and just before I arrived in Taos I crossed the Rio Grande River Gorge. Wow, I spent an hour there. The site of the Gorge is uncredible...

After so many Missions, if I haven't been saved, then I should have been. One of these older ones in southern Colorado was built in 1853. The adobe mud construction is very durable.

I'll send ya more from Santa Fe...

Day 10 and I have to get photos up of the Sand Dunes.

When you get up in the mountains and in the middle of nowhere... The internet service in the hotels is not very good. And most the time your cell phone is just dead-weight.
I guess you could throw it at a bear? Whatever...

I wasn't feeling very good so I slept in this day and then shot at sunset at the Dunes. Originally I wanted to walk up on the dunes and get a close-up view. Well, come to find out, it is almost a mile walk to get to the actual edge of the dunes. And there was another issue... the ranger said the bears were very hungry and to be careful. Don't carry any food with a strong aroma like peanut butter. Or, to carry a jar of it and if I encountered a bear, throw the opened peanut butter in the woods and slip away slowly while the bear eats it. Yea!!! The mountain lions were in the area too. The ranger also said they rarely attack. Only if the lions are old or injured and can't get their usual food do they select people?

Enjoy the show... I'll get some more posts up in another day or two...

Day 9 and leaving Fort Collins and driving to the Great Sand Dunes National Park

Sunday was a fairly good day other then a slight haze. When I hit Pueblo Colorado things started to catch my eye.



I wasn't aware that Pueblo was a Steel Town? Who Knew?





The Ute Reservation is on the road heading west to Alamosa and the Sand Dunes.





If you ever need a Moon Glow...



This grain elevator really stood out.

Spending the Day in Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado

Day 8 and Old Town Fort Collins was beautiful!

Just before noon I met with Bonnie at the Canyon Spirit Gallery and then spent the afternoon cruising the Old Town galleries and shops. Then I started driving down alleys and back streets looking for the real, "Old Town."

Mountain Air and Heading Back Down the Mountain.

The morning after George left Muggs and I had a hearty breakfast and I walked around to take in the mountain air. At their altitude, 8700 ft. the snow starts and then the higher you go, the more snow. I headed down the mountain by noon and it took 2 hours to get back to Fort Collins.

I worked on images and had dinner in town.

Tomorrow I meet with the owner of the Canyon Spirit Gallery to review what prints I will leave there.