Tuesday, March 31, 2009


For Spring Break this year, we decided to take a rode trip around our historically and geolically packed state. We went with two of our favorite families in ABQ. Thanks Snells and Lows, we had a great time.
Although Carlsbad Caverns are the first pictures...they were our last stop. The twins have been talking about going there for over a year, so they were really excited.





It was about 45 degrees and really windy at White Sands. Luckily Kenyon brought some kites...he's a thinker...they were a hit. The kids figured out that if they wore goggles, the sand wouldn't get in their eyes while they were sledding.































The Catwalk was one of the most incredable hikes I have ever been on. It was first built as a pipe-line for a mining town in the mountains, and then the CCC rebuilt is as a State Park. It is a canyon full of giant bolders with a large stream running through it. There are tons a waterfalls that are crossed by metal bridges. Some of them hug the canyon wall and some of them cross over the waterfalls. The kids loved it.



























Just about my favorite part of the trip was this little ghost town named Mogollon. It was an old gold and silver mining town in the late 1800's to early 1900's. To get there we had to cross over a mountain. Very steep switch-backs up and back down the other side of the mountain on a one lane road with no guard rails, and very steep drop-offs. We went with two other families from ABQ. If you were afraid of heights...this was a tense drive. Adam...a friend of Satch and Em's was actually in tears and shouted out "save me Jesus!"



























































































































































































































































































Stop for lunch...it was tornado-like conditions most of the trip. Good old NM in the spring.



























This picture with the antelope in it is the VLA or Very Large Array....very straightforward. If any of you have seen contact, these are the radio satellites in that movie. There is a huge prairie basin where they are located. The satellites themselves are around 90 ft in diameter. They are huge. And it is a little "otherwordly" to come over a hill and see all of these big white dishes in rows. On our way back to the main road from the visitors center this herd of antelope crossed the road in front of us (most of them had antlers...is that what they are called on antelope?)Although I came inches from slamming into a cow... I was very careful around the antelope. Last year I ran full force into a deer, and although I thought I would be traumatized, it was actually kind of exhilarating (is that sick or what....i know.) So now when I see an animal on the road I have to stop myself...except for animals smaller than a dog...I still swerve for them. What is wrong with me? Just a little side note:)






















5 comments:

Jessie's Jargon said...

Tris! Your adventures remind me so much of all of the fun stuff we did growing up. It is so fun that you now get to do those kind of things with your own little family. Your family is beautiful. Loved the pictures! :)
I'm looking forward to seeing you in July!

Danielle said...

How fun! You guys always do such fun things with your kids. It does look a little cold though! :)

jenae nae said...

jesus save me/?? i think this often too!

King Family said...

good times...i can't beleive how much willy looks like sam...he's a clone, it kills me. are you guys going to monticello for easter?

Millie @ The Busy Butlers said...

How fun! Makes me wish we'd done that while we were still living in Tucumcari. I think we missed out on a lot...