Thursday Travel: Bandelier National Monument
The Bandelier National Monument at the Frijoles Canyon in New Mexico dates back more than 10,000 years.
These mountains views were captured through the car window.
The pink rock look much like sandstone, but it’s actually volcanic ash that compacted over time into a soft, crumbly rock call tuff.
Tuff is easily eroded by the action of wind and rain. Over time the exposed rock takes on “Swiss cheese” look. There you can see some of these “Swiss chesse” holes are pretty tiny.
It was an ideal place for Ancestral Pueblo people to settled, beautiful mountain views, lots of trees and resources, and a creek runs through.
Ancestral Pueblo people used the soft rock for building materials.
Climbing up a little higher, this is the view you get to see, where you can imagine how live was like for them.
Bandelier was designated by President Woodrow Wilson as a National Monument on February 11, 1916, and named for Adolph Bandelier, a Swiss-American anthropologist who researched the cultures of the area and supported preservation of the sites.
source: Western National Park Association
You did quite well taking photos through the window! When I try that, mine are pretty blurry. (Bert drives too fast!) Thanks for posting. Haven’t been there in years, but loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Rusha, Wonderful to know you had seen this monument before. Isn’t that a magnificent place? When I take photo from the side window of the car, I adjust the shutter speed higher, like 1/640 or 1/800 on the freeway. Taking from the front window may not need fast speed.
Thank you for commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was really interesting! It’s amazing to think how they lived. Even though their struggles were probably much different and more physically painful for them, I can’t help but wonder if they were happier. I love that last recreation image. Amazing! I’d love to take a look into the past if I could.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life might always be a struggle for them, but they probably enjoyed the freedom of living there and seeking for resources…
Thank you, Laura for visiting and commenting. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Interesting thought on freedom and what it means. Pretty soon freedom will only be in our minds! You’re welcome Amy and sorry for the odd comment just now lol.
LikeLike
Thank you for your comment, Laura! This actually was my thoughts when I walked into this magnificent place. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s amazing. I thought you might’ve considered me a bit out there with that thought so I’m glad I’m not alone. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those ancient red rocks tell such an amazing tale 🙂 Thank you for sharing it!
LikeLike
It does, there you can imagine the stories of how they lived, struggled, …
Thank you, Morgan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was surprised by how fascinating this park is. We had a storm roll through during our visit. Thus, we didn’t get to explore much of it, but are looking forward to a return visit. Glad you got to see more of it than I did.
LikeLike
We didn’t hike too deep, but was amazed with the scenery we saw. Hope you get to see more next time. 🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful photographs Amy, thank you for taking us on another amazing tour! :o)
LikeLike
So glad you enjoyed it. I sure think this place is very special. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
☺💜
LikeLike
Very beautiful and intertesting! I’d be looking for arrowheads and fossils in this area! 🙂
LikeLike
Had we hiked a little further, we probably would find the arrowheads and fossils…
Thank you, Tom!
LikeLike
Tiny in HUGE! Loved it. Great pictures, Amy!
LikeLike
There are thousands of tiny holes along with the huge ones. Thank you, Helen! 🙂
LikeLike
beautiful photographs, Amy. this is incredible and to think how people lived there is amazing. thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Lola! I though this place was fascinating, it content thousands of years history.
LikeLike
So breathtaking and interesting Amy
LikeLike
Thank you, Raewyns! 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful area. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you for reading, Pit! 🙂 We hiked only part of the monument.
LikeLike
Beautiful and interesting places, full of history, who put our imagination to work.
Thank you, Amy and all the best!
LikeLike
Full of history, Indeed! It’s fascinating to think how they live and how this place was like…
Thank you, Georgeta!
LikeLike
Such amazing shots through the window again, Amy. Couldn’t even tell. You did very well. Those rocks certain look magnificent and interesting to hear their Swiss Cheese look. Good to watch from afar 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Mabel! I guess when the light was right and window glass was clear, you could take some cool shots.
Maybe, I was lucky. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you were just at the right place at the right time. And, you have skill 🙂
LikeLike
Human endeavor never ceases to surprise me. Thanks for sharing these pictures Amy, and for showing another aspect of native American culture. 🙂
LikeLike
It’s amazing how human found ways to survive thousands of years ago with minimum resources and tools. Glad you like it, Dr. Hb!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful space.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the landscape in this part of the country. 🙂 Thank you, Amy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fascinating site, I’d love to see those remains.
LikeLike
It is. I’m so glad it’s so well preserved. The research done by A. Bandelier is fascinating.
LikeLike
Wonderful photographs and beautiful palce
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting and commenting!
LikeLike
Forget about Swiss cheese, these views are better sustenance. 🙂 And forget about destination, these roadside views are enough to wow me. 😉
LikeLike
Wow! Such breath taking views
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are beautiful shots Amy. Thank you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the pictures are very nice… well captured… liked it… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Amy what a great place to live .. So interesting. Thanks for sharing 😃
LikeLike