Alamogordo Revisited

We used Alamogordo as our base for some great site seeing.The weather was spectacular and the evening sunsets were  ablaze of brilliant yellows and reds. We sat each evening in our seats waiting in anticipation for the setting of the big ball.

After our visit to the White Sands, we headed north to the Valley of the Fires Recreation Area. About 5000 years ago, Little Black Peak on the Carrizozo Plain erupted. It was actually a vent opening not a volcano that sent lava flowing 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin. It is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. Even though the lava reminds me of asphalt  it is amazing how life struggles to survive  and flourish in the cracks and fissures created by the jagged edges in the lava.

First stop of the day

Cracks in the Lava

Scrub Bushes growing around the  Lava

Toby and Belle got to join us on  this trip. It was cool and we took a break under the Juniper Tree. They are such good campers.

These fissures can be quite deep.

The flow was 44 miles and 4 to 6 miles wide.

Plants pop out in the most unlikely spots!

We ran into this cute town, Tularosa, which had a fascination for burros. They were in  the craziest  places.

Checking out the action below.

"Could you move up a little?"

Hello?

Look up here! Look up here!

Bill and I chuckled about this doorway on the local cantina. Easy choice.

Next stop near Alamogordo

Abstract forms are painted on the rocks of the Chihuahuan Desert

Approximately 1000 years ago the Jornada Mogollon people carved them  on the dark volcanic rock.

Goat

Spirit?

A Clan?

Ram

This looks like a deer that was hunted down and shot with an arrow.

The circle is the sun, the symbol in the middle means walked with death three times. Hummmmm!

This is a lizard. Chubby little thing.

A fish?

These petroglyphs are everywhere on this cluster of rocks. They could be a history of a village.

We made it to the top and took a break. All that climbing.....Phew

These could be people in the village.

This face resembles a Mudhead, a spirit.

An Eagle

After we walked around the pueblo ruins that were believed to be inhabited for more than 400 years, this memorial stands to represent the indigenous people that made up the community that lived here. The art on the rocks tells of their families, their struggles and the spiritual beliefs that would help them survive. Impressive.

Well enough for today. Hope you are all well. Love you all.