Unexpected treasures are always the best and we found one when we camped at Cochiti Lake, mid-way between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We wanted a layover day to stretch our backs and legs, and our choice to head north out of Albuquerque to this Army Corp campground proved to be perfect. The campground itself was just okay and the lake was a bit disappointing, though as we learned more about why the water was so low, we gained new appreciation for it. The massive dam impounds the Rio Grande but the Pueblo de Cochiti sued to block their ancestral (and present) lands from being inundated with flood waters… and won! A smaller lake, designated no wake so it is perfect for fishermen and paddle/oar powered boats, was the result.
The real treat was a day hike in nearby Kasha-Katwe Tent Rocks, established relatively recently (2001) as a National Monument. The interesting hoodoo formations resulted from ancient volcanic eruptions which deposited over 1,000 feet of ash, tuff and pumice in the area. Subsequent action from wind and water created the “tent rocks” reminiscent of Bryce and Zion National Parks. From the base of the Monument, we hiked through a slot canyon, 
gaining 660 feet in elevation, to a ridge with panoramic views of the Rio Grande Valley. Though shorter and easier, the top reminded me of Zion’s “Angel’s Landing” and, just like when I hiked it decades ago, as soon as we got there, the sky let loose with a belt of thunder. No lightning this time though, and the storm was moving away from us, so we got to stay and enjoy the views before heading back down. As we headed back down, we were serenaded by Rock Wrens and then in, the slot canyon, we had a beautiful sighting of one of Steve’s all time favorite birds, a Canyon Wren, accompanied by it’s distinctive, silvery, descending song.
The final gift of the day was getting back to the trailer and getting an email from Josh, the very nice man who built our house. We had arranged for him to add a railing to our new deck to match the one on the original deck. He had all summer to do it but it’s done already! Isn’t it beautiful?
Pretty cool! The deck too. You are ready to host some BIG parties.
I unfortunately have not had as great a day. We were vandalized (or interrupted a burgarly) last night. At 10:05 pm someone smashed in our front picture windows. Glass everywhere in our living room. Very unnerving and now we have smashed in windows and have to wait for insurance companies and window companies to figure it out.
That’s AWFUL! Where were you and Shaun when it happened? And the kitties? No clue as to who did it?
We had just left the living room 5 minute prior and gone upstairs to get in bed. Shaun turned out the light and was about to crawl in bed and CRASH! It happened at 10:05 pm. The must have been standing in our bushes when they did because the police said they smashed it in close proximity (probably with a baseball bat). We have not clue who did it. We saw a red car and I heard kids yelling “yahoo” in the neighbor down the road. Our neighbor just told me that her 16 year old daughter was home alone and did see two people run through their yard but didn’t see who. She saw them get in a red car and heard the yahoo too.
We just have no idea if it was just for fun to break things or a break in and they didn’t realize we were at home. Who knows!
Both kitties were upstairs and we locked them in the bedroom until we could get a tarp hung to block them from getting out the window.
Wow! the scencry is fantastic where you were. I have always heard that everyone who goes this way loves it.
Dad went to Ghost Ranch and spent a day there but I have
not been there. If dad wasn’t going to Europe he could have gone to seminary class reunion at Ghost Ranch this
Aug. Your deck is looking great! You will have a nice place and it looks pretty private also. I assume you will
have gates, etc. Maybe Josh wanted wood to cure a little
before he seals for you. Hopefully you are in CA tonight.
love you both
Good luck with getting the windows fixed, Michele. Someone broke into our house in Santa Cruz once and I remember feeling so violated. Terrible timing too… not that there is ever a good time for something like this.
Yes, it was beautiful, Mom. And we’ve seen a lot of beautiful scenery from the road today too. Where is Ghost Ranch? As for the deck, Josh only put sealant on the dry wood. The deck platform is very wet pressure treated wood and it needed to cure. We’ll do it, and the new steps in front, when we get back. For now, though, it is so cool that he offered to do the sealant because it will keep all our lovely cedar from turning gray before we get there.
We are in California. It’s 8pm and we’re still driving. Going to stop for dinner soon in a rest area, and then drive a bit more before sleeping in a truck stop. We’ll be back at the beach tomorrow evening if all goes well.
It was lovely to look at all your beautifull pictures and the dogs are all so happy and the part about the singing birds and the cute pictures of the dogs, I will tell you when I see you tommorrow with Kim. Later