Mogollon, New Mexico

Annie and I took the 12 mile drive to the mining town of Mogollon.  Definitely not a road for people who are afraid of heights.  The  road climbs up to about 10000 feet elevation and gets narrower and steeper as you go.  Definitely one lane most places with blind curves and drop offs with seemingly no bottoms.  Spectacular views of the valleys when you can find a pull-out.
Mogollon is still alive but barely.  Mining has dried up and a few people hang on by tourism.  Artists from Texas filled the streets in the 50's and 60's.


I was told this was once a gallery.

Catwalk Canyon, New Mexico

Hopefully these images allow us to remember the beauty of this place.

Catwalk Canyon, New Mexico

Catwalk canyon, a remnant from mining days is a must see place in western New Mexico.  The trail travels up a slot canyon that would be impassable without the construction of the catwalks.  They were originally built to support a water line that carried water to a mine.  Approximately 15 years ago the catwalk was still made of the original metal, very rusty and questionably safe.  Recent upgrades changed the flavor of the experience but not the canyon. This image is at the top of the trail.
It doesn't take much to get this suspension bridge jumping.
This must have been placed by helicopter?

The newest wheelchair accessible section.

Wandering Home, New Mexico

I finally dragged Annie, scratching and clawing out of Arizona.  We stopped in western New Mexico and stayed two nights in a one room cabin just out of the town of Glenwood.  Our first hike took us up a slot canyon called Alma Creek.  Evening light made the adventure even more dream like.  A must see place. At the mouth of the canyon we found the above fence post being eaten by a large tree, sort of taking back its own kind.

This area is a little death valley with all its interesting rock formations except it has water.

Not all roughing it.

Our daughter Faith gifted us with an evening at Camp La Paloma. Yes that's Starbucks coffee.

Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona

A trip to northern Arizona should always include the Sedona area.

Wupatki National Monument

About 30 miles north of Sunset Crater are ancient puebloan dwellings.  Built nearly 1000 years ago it is amazing that so many of the walls are still standing.  The stone work is magnificant. The lines of the walls are beautiful.


It is rugged country and was dry when the inhabitants lived here.  The Navaho's still live just north of here.  I mentioned the wind earlier.  The picture below is the back side of the dust storm blowing out over the Navaho Nation. We were glad to be up wind.