August Flew By!

We took Oliver to the Black Canyon campground for his first overnight hiking/camping trip. What a GREAT experience! Some of the highlights were...

examining hundreds of rocks along the trail,

Ollie singing his favorite songs from the backseat,

helping build the campfire and cooking delicious foil dinners,

and staying up late listening to 'those' noises outside the tent.

We also took a quick day trip on the High Road to Taos... It was a great drive weaving through the New Mexico Rockies and through several small Pueblo areas.

El Sanctuario de Chimayo

Many people make a pilgrimage to this church for the Miraculous Healing Dirt. We weren't in need of a miracle on this day, but it's good to know the option is there.

Ollie has been spending countless hours reading books to his buddy 'the cow'... I'm sure Grandpa Hutchison will smile hearing this news.

If the shoe fits...

Eating bananas on the go... He's just growing SO FAST!

Our friend Tracy stopped by for a visit from Boston. She, Tracie and Oliver had a quick snack at the park and toured town for a couple days.

I unfortunately missed the visit from Tracy because I got called on a fire assignment up in Fairbanks, AK... It was a LONG two weeks away from T and the Boy!

It's been a while

Just a few pictures

Ruins of a Pecos Pueblo

With over 1000 years of human history, the Pecos Pueblo area at the southern tip of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains was a great spot to explore this weekend.

The three of us stepped down into a couple of the Kivas, which were used for ceremonies to balance the underworld and the above world.

The Kiva above is now fully exposed, but as you can see by the figure below it was once covered and surrounded by several other structures.


























The remnants of a massive network of attached houses that were once 4 stories high.













There were so many Cholla Cactus blooming near the site... Lots of rain lately!













In the early 1600's, the Spanish had already forced their way into the Pecos area to colonize and start a mission. The first church was completed here just south of the Pueblo in 1625.


























Ollie had an absolute blast at the Mission!











































He ran around and explored ever little corner...


























... and at the end of the day, those chucks were dirty!

Update

Well this isn't much of an update. John posts the really nice informative long ones. But I thought I would at least post a few pictures and let you know how we've been doing. We were back in Michigan in early June for Daniel and Lauren's wedding. We had a great time seeing family! Ollie had a blast too. So much space to run around and play at the farm and my parents house. We are back to the swing of things here and enjoying the weather. Still trying to explore as there is SO much to see around here!

Kasha-Katuwe

This past weekend we drove out to the Cochiti Pueblo to explore the insane geology around the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. The cone-shaped formations were formed over 6 million years ago from volcanic eruptions.












The three of us rambled up through a really cool arroyo canyon apparently cut by wind and water...

















Ollie took advantage of the time out of the backpack by sprinting up the canyon towards his mom. He's way too fast these days!












There have been a lot of intense rain and thunder storms lately, which isn't ordinary for this time of the year. There were several wild flowers and cactus in full bloom along the hike. I think this is an Engelman Prickly Pear.












At some point there was a wildfire that probably swept through the area leaving behind some really gnarly dead Pinon Juniper trees.




























We think you the reader should come visit us so that you can experience this place!