October 6 Durango - Santa Fe

October 6 Durango – Santa Fe

Left Durango just before the Cowboy Parade was to begin. We would love to have stayed but it would have made our arrival in Santa Fe too late at night. Followed the 550 and were soon in New Mexico. What a change in scenery. Not long after crossing the border we were in dry county. Colorado was certainly the most beautiful State we have been in. As we went south, we passed through Aztec, Bloomfield, Cuba then we turned onto the picturesque Jamez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway. It wound its way through the San Pedro Parks Wilderness. Stopped at San Jose De Los Jamez National Monument. The Spanish built a church here in the 1600’s and tried to convert the Jamez Indian People. The site also included the homes of the Jamez and several Kivas.

We then continued the drive through the mountains. To my surprise the countryside was covered in trees and fall colours. We stopped at several points including the Jamez Falls. Had to hike to the falls – downhill of course!! Then the huffing and puffing to come back. Will be pleased when we are back at sea level.

Our next stop was the Bandelier National Monument in Frijoles Canyon. Maggie suggested we visited this spot instead of driving up to Taos. It was late when we arrived so we only did the loop trail which led to the cliff dwellings. They were amazing. We could climb into some and while some were very small, one was quite large.

We passed the ancient Pueblon village of Tyuonyi. There have been 3000 sites identified in Bandlier. By 1200 some villages had as many as 40 rooms. This village and the adjacent cave dwellings were left vacant in the mid 1500’s when the people moved on. Of course there were many kivas present as well.

We did not reach Santa Fe until after 6PM and the B&B’s and Motel near the city centre were all full. Managed to find one on the outskirts and it is very nice. Went to dinner at a Chinese Restaurant across the road and nearly froze coming and going.