History Tells Us

Much work in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, was founded in 1660 with land grants more 100 Spanish families of the Duke of Albuquerque. Today is one of the Jewels of the Land of Enchantment.

We are back to history by visiting the National Monument Petroglyphs, just west and north of the city. The monument has thousands of petroglyphs, which are images carved into the rocks of basaltic lava. Most of these petroglyphs were made for 400 to 700 years by native people. Some may date back to 2000-3000 years. Others are of the modern era of Hispanics and most common browsers.

Three sections are available for viewing visitors. The most popular is Boca Negra Canyon. This area is in charge of the city and there is a slight admission charge, if someone is at the door. Three trails of varying lengths of five to fifteen minutes longer than the opinions of hundreds of visitors from these petroglyphs. Some of the designs are the human form, shaman, several animals in the area, and geometric designs. Watch out for rattlesnakes and follow the trails.

One mile south of the visitor center is Rinconada Canyon, with a two and a half roundtrip miles through the rocks. This road is not paved.

Further north is more stone marks Canyon petroglyphs.
There is no charge at the National Monument and are self-guided walks. Brochures on the trail and Petroglyphs can be purchased at the visitor center.

Fourteen miles north of the Petroglyph National Monument, Coronado State Monument is. This is located on Route 550 Bernalillo outside. State Park celebrates two important events. The first is the People of Kuanua, which began in the 1300s. The trained over 1500 1,200 rooms in buildings four stories tall. The entrance was through the roof of these houses of adobe. Were used as storage areas, kitchens and homes in general. The building was built around open courtyards, in which kivas sunk. The kivas served as ceremonial chambers, almost as sweathouses. Here the men could have visions and dreams. Some of the kivas were round and square. They were decorated with pictures of many, the paint on the walls, depicting the life of the people and their dependence of the elements, especially rain. Some of these icons are displayed in the visitor center.

The Kuauans were hunter-gatherers and farmers producing of the three sisters (corn, beans and squash). Located along the Rio Grande, the place was perfect for irrigation.

In 1540 and the event occurred that changed the lives of people Kuaua. An army of Spanish soldiers led by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado camped near Kuaua. His goal was to find the seven cities of gold of which rumors abounded. Instead, commanded by, and made the people pay homage to the Spanish Government Kuaua. They had to give fifty percent of its production to the government. The monks re-educated Indians and labor demanded of them, and finally took the children to be raised as good Spanish citizens. undermined stability the people and essentially destroyed its function.

In 1680 the Indians revolted 100 years of oppression. many native peoples in New Mexico rose and attacked the settlers, churches, and fittings soldier. They drove the Spanish back to El Paso. Settlers and farmers did not return for twelve years. Most likely, when the Pueblo was abandoned Kuaua.

A good aspect emerged from the Pueblo revolt. The Spanish policy of forced labor or poor job paid has been changed. Indians were no longer subjected to this form of almost slave labor. This had a great effect on the treatment of the natives in San Antonio, Texas Missions and other missions, they were formed.

Today Coronado State Park preserves and celebrates these events. The kiva is under reconstruction. Describe paths with kiosks village life and the people. Many of the foundations are visible. The staff is very friendly and informative.

Travel east on Route 550 becomes Route 165. Drive through Placitas and Sandia to Mt. The road is well paved changes to gravel. It is closed in winter due to snow and water flooding. Unfortunately, signs said the road was closed. Why go there? Up in the mountains is perhaps the oldest human settlement dated cave in North America. More 27,000 years, humans hunted the woolly mammoth in the Sandia Mountains. No human remains but the artifacts found in the cave have been carbon dated. A small parking which is within ten minutes walk trailhead. This leads to Sandia caveman. Bring a flashlight. There are also some tight squeezes in the cave itself.

Visit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science for a great experience. The emphasis is on the evolution of the earth and life on the planet. Major exhibitions on development of the dinosaurs. Some films are taking breath. The animation is top rate. Experience "A bad day in the Cretaceous, a video animation of a meteorite that struck the 10 K ground near the Yucatan Peninsula. The crater is still there today. The result of the fires and devastation eliminates 75% of wildlife on the planet. It marked the end of the Cretaceous era. Also a walk in six minutes on the machine for time travel that allows you back 75 million years in the current New Mexico stood. Other exhibits include precious stones, caving experiences (dry cave, damp cave, and live in a cave). Many interactive exhibits to keep visitors spent on the information. Also available at the Museum of payment are a planetarium and a theater with movies Dynamax different. Spend at least two hours in the museum to see the primary exposures.

Within walking distance is the Turquoise Museum. This is another little gem. This museum shows everything you ever wanted to know about turquoise. How it is formed. When extracted. How to tell the different qualities and value of turquoise. You will about an hour to see the museum. It also contains a carving workshop with all the tools for cutting, polishing, and the degree of the stone. The exhibition includes stones from around the world. Leaving the museum, the output is in a flower shop, which is behind the store turquoise. You can also buy turquoise jewelry.

Twenty-five miles northeast is the final gem of the day just before reaching the giant gem. This is Tinkertown. This museum shows the working life of J. Ross Ward, a master carver. While we were watching television than a full size western town and circus with a top and a side street show. Pushing a button animates many parts. What a pleasure it is Tinkertown Ward puts humor in each piece. He signed with corny sayings, the people doing strange things, and just living life in the old west. It has a display of the funeral: "Be nice to the funeral home. He was the last to let you down." This is completed with the carriage horses and demons and the angels flying in the sky. A final oddity about the museum are the surrounding walls: glass bottles together with mortar (interesting).

Now the giant gem: Sandia Crest. Sandia Crest in Albuquerque with a view to a height of 10 678. Albuquerque is at 5,000 feet. There are two main ways to reach the top. The first is that of Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, one of the world's longest at 2.7 miles long. During the month of April as maintenance work remains closed. The other way up the mountain is the drive, bike or hike. We opted to drive the mountain on a paved road. The trail ascends nearly six thousand feet within fourteen miles. The temperature in Albuquerque at that time was 79? F and 49? F at the summit with a strong breeze. Even at the end of April, there was snow on the ground. Almost felt like I was back in Chicago. The views are breathtaking. At the top of the mountain are a souvenir shop and a small restaurant.

The old section is very nice. San Felipe de Neri has been the cornerstone of the square since 1706. Houses, shops and restaurants around the square with its narrow streets. In the center of the plaza is a gazebo and a replica two canons of the Civil War era guard the square.

The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History is two blocks from Old Town. The museum has permanent exhibits and traveling. The permanent exhibition includes 400 years of history in the area. The temporary exhibition at the Alvarado Hotel in Albuquerque, which was a prime minister Harvey House in his day.

Nearby is the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The center has a museum with display cases for many different peoples. Everyone has their gear representations and crafts and a history of the village people. On weekends, the patio, native dancers demonstrate some of their dances. The center offers a wide shop and a restaurant.

The AAA book says that the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque is a little gem. They are underestimating the fact. The zoo is a precious jewel, not to be missed. The design is user friendly with many banks in which to rest. The animals seem well cared for. The scenery is wonderful. The zoo is definitely five stars. Animals should be somewhat happy, even in his confinement, as the white rhinoceros puts on a show for us adults. A teacher said he had good luck with playback at the zoo. Lions, tigers and other big cats were doing their cat like thing: the siesta. Many exhibitions also include water animals. I sometimes wondered if I was in an aquarium instead of a zoo.

About the Author

John and Maggie Pelley are Geriatric Gypsies. Both of us are retired from the rat race of working. We are full-time RVers, who ran away from home. We began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons. No more shoveling snow in Chicago. We have discovered volunteering with the National Park System. During our travels we have found that each town has a story to tell: some are more interesting than others. Both of us enjoy good listening music as we go. John has a CD he has recorded of Native American flure music. We have learned that RVing has a learning curve. We want to pass on some advice the help others avoid this trecherous curve. Life is an adventure. We are living it to the utmost.