New Mexico has a surprising diversity of landscape, and it has swaths of beauty all over the state. As part of a winter (working) vacation, I was driving through northwestern New Mexico just before sunset, hoping that the backroads to Shiprock would get me to the giant rock formation before the sun actually set.
Shiprock is frequently photographed, but it’s not that easy to get to, and there aren’t a lot of nearby lodging options. As I approached, I was struck by the beauty in every direction.
But I was there to photograph Shiprock, and over the course of about 45 minutes and climbing hills that were steeper and higher than they looked, I got about 30 photographs of the formation Native Americans referred to as “rock with wings” or Tse Bit’a’i. I am not sure which was the best, but I settled on this one for the show.
Following our adventure at Great Sand Dunes National Park, we made it back to the tip of the Texas Panhandle: Dalhart, TX. Our goal for today, was to get to Amarillo, then to Canyon, TX, and make our way to Oklahoma City. It was–both literally and figuratively–a whirlwind visit. We literally saw our first-ever tumbleweeds.
Cadillac Ranch
As we approached Amarillo well before noon, we stopped at Cadillac Ranch, a unique art installation. We had never seen it before, and what a sight!
Some nice people visiting loaned us some spray paint, and we left our mark!
It was a nice stop amidst the flat Amarillo landscape, made much more colorful by art.
Panhandle Plains Museum
Located on Texas A&M’s West Texas campus, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Musuem. Within the largest history museum in Texas, we had the ability to outline Texas history from indigenous settlement and conquistadors to where we are today.
A collection that served as a great conversation starter was ‘High Fashion to the High Plains’. Here we found an extensive wardrobe from high fashion designers such as Chanel and Emilio Pucci that are representative of the fashions of West Texas over time.
While this is a West Texas museum, we were most enthused with the East Texas representation in their ‘Art of Texas State Parks’ collection!
We saw artist and friend Lee Jamison’s work in the museum’s collection. While we are huge fans of all of Mr. Jamison’s paintings, our favorite one from the museum was of the Grave of Hubris, San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site.
I thoroughly enjoy the vibrancy of the landscapes Mr. Jamison creates, whether or not the scene itself is particularly bright. His paintings serve as a reminder to appreciate even the most simple of your surroundings, as there is an innate intricacy to each of them.
Palo Duro State Canyon Park
On such a fitting note, we ventured to the Palo Duro State Canyon Park to capture the scenic views on our last outdoors trek of the trip.
It may be sheer coincidence, but we truly saved the best hike for last! There was truly so much to see while on this short trail, with a different vista under a beautiful sky at almost every turn.
Maybe it was the fact that we had previously been immersed in scenes covered in pillowy white snow, but there was something awe-inspiring about looking over the cliff to see the red-casted landscape.
Photo by Olivia Discon
We explored far more than we anticipated we would, walking out to every outcrop…
Cinthia Villarreal Enjoys the View (not so much the wind); Photo by Olivia Discon
…looking over ledges…
Photo by Cinthia Villarreal Carrillo
…and climbing as many hills as possible.
We did our best to soak it in…
Photo by Olivia Discon
…and explore the area they call “The Grand Canyon of Texas.”
In fact, we didn’t really want to leave, but we wanted to get one more hike in, so we returned to the car.
Our last hike was the “Hole in the Wall Trail,” so named for obvious reasons!
This short hike involved a walk up to a cave. Although short, it was a somewhat rugged walk, and it was also filled with colors and different types of rocks.
The area immediately outside the cave offered interesting views of the landscape.
Photo by Olivia Discon
In the cave were three different holes in the top, and these looked intriguing to us–so much so that we found a way up to the to the top of the hill.
Olivia: “I don’t think I like this.”
We made it to the top after much climbing and scrambling, and climbed a way into the hole.
We also got interesting photos through the hole, from our vantage point!
Photo by Cinthia Villarreal Carrillo
I may have been a bit apprehensive to make the climb, but Cinthia was a voice of encouragement (or perhaps she was just more confident than I), and we made it to safety.
While we already live and learn in the great state of Texas, this was a completely new and refreshing day for everyone. However, it was not time to turn back home just yet! We packed our bags and headed towards the last state of our Southwest tour, Oklahoma.
Heading into the third state of our Southwest road trip, we knew exactly how to spend our time, starting with a hike at Zapata Falls! After our short hike at Sun Mountain, we now consider ourselves hiking aficionados.
As we embarked on our short but rewarding hike, Colorado’s natural landscapes rewarded us every step of the way by providing beautiful views of snow, forests, and mountains.
The hike consisted of roughly one mile covered in snow and ice. For our final approach to the waterfall, we made our way along a frozen river, which we traversed gingerly.
Walking deeper into the creek and on top of a few rocks, we were able to witness the power of nature. The delicate, yet forceful-looking waterfall captivated all of us, leaving us with no words. In fact, both Olivia and I audibly gasped at the sight of it.
Being even more adventurous, we decided to carefully climb a step of the river into a magnificent cave where we could see the whole waterfall. Witnessing the power and beauty of nature startled us. The waterfall, once loud and unstoppable, stood still and completely frozen in time.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
After the one-of-a-kind adventure, we headed to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. This was first time Olivia or I had ever visited a national park; to say we were excited would be an understatement.
We had to stop at the Visitor Center to buy souvenirs–and even our own National Parks Passport, which we stamped with a seal provided by the center.
As we walked over to the dunes, we realized that the small-looking hills we saw on our way were misleading. The dunes were hundreds of feet high, and they towered over us.
With some determination, lots of doubts, and a huge amount of persuasion from Professor Yawn, Olivia and I walked one dune after another, getting higher and higher each time.
This was a true test of our endurance since our feet kept digging into the sand…
….with each step we took which would make us take even more steps and consequently tire us even more. But getting to the top also made us feel something like champions!
We made sure to capture the moment.
Despite the unanticipated workout, we were overwhelmed by the magnificent features the dunes possessed, how thin coats of snow would rest them, and the golden, transcendental-like appearance the light of the sun would give it.
As we started the long walk back to the car, the wind picked up to about 40 miles per hour, and, even though we were as cold as we had ever been, we were mesmerized by the way the snow would dance with the breeze on top of the sand, making patterns and moving through waves like it knows exactly what it is doing.
With sand in our shoes and frostbite on our faces, we were able to close out another successful day of firsts for us.
With an impending departure from Santa Fe looming, we wanted to get in one more experience: a hike. We had considered the challenging Picacho Peak and the easy Hondo Arroyo, but we opted for a middle option.
Sun Mountain Trail is listed as a 1.6-mile round trip hike that is still challenging–a function of its 734 feet elevation gain.
And from what we’ve read, the hike offers impressive views from the top of the trail.
The hike begins in a semi-residential area, and it soon grows steep.
For Texans such as ourselves, the thin air is a challenge. Denver may be famous as the “mile-high” city, but Santa Fe is a 1.4 miles above sea level. Houston, by comparison, is about 50 feet above sea level, so between the exertion and the thin air, we were breathing heavy.
Photo by Olivia Discon
Stopping for breath had other virtues.
The trail wends its way up the mountain, offering periodic views of the community below, the mountains on the horizon, and the snow that had recently blanketed the area.
As you approach the top, you go through a series of switchbacks which can be difficult, but which offer even better views.
As you might imagine, it’s windy at the top, but it’s beautiful, especially at sunset.
Photo by Cinthia Villarreal Carrillo
It was cold, but we stayed in the wind and cold so we could see the sun drop below the horizon, soak in the blue hour, and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. For Cinthia and Olivia, this was the highest elevation ever reach: 7,920 feet.
It was, we decided, a great vantage point from which to say au revoir to Santa Fe, knowing we will be back one day.
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