RoadTrip 2008 Day 3
Farmington NM - Bluff UT
Day 3 was on the plan as a “free” day. It was only about 4 hours from Farmington, NM to Bluff, UT. We had an idea of a couple of things to go see while in the area but thought we’d play it a little by ear and see if there is some other cool stuff to tack on.
We’d noticed on our last gas stop the day before in Aztec NM a few signs to some ruins and as that wasn’t all that far away and the home of a Starbucks, decided to give it a look. Turns our the ruins were amazing, a Pueblo settlement some 900 years old. The amount of ruins still standing is testament to both how well they were constructed and the care that has been taken to preserve them. It’s a shame that there isn’t more funding for the preservation of these time capsules and that more can’t be done to keep them. There are some sections that they’ve buried to help preserve them as there aren’t enough staff or the money to keep and preserve them.
From Aztec we headed to Hovenweep National Monument via Four corners. What is Four Corners I hear you ask? Well, it’s a funky little place where you can stand in four states at the same time. Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. We were expecting a sign on the road and a short road to a dusty monument pointing to the spot. What we found was quite different. There were 10’s of people there and a little compound.
We had to pay to get in but in general we don’t mind paying at all. The majority of the fee’s are quite low and the money goes to keeping the monuments in good nick.
Around the edges of the compound were Indian stalls selling all sorts trinkets and jewelry. I ended up getting a couple of arrow head necklaces, one a hand chipped flint and another tiger eye. We also managed to pick up some trinkets for the kids and a bump on my head. Turns out two things were true at this particular stall, the first is that the stones look much more attractive in the sun light and the second one is that the overhang of the roof is 5 ‘ 11″ (I’m 6′ 1″). Not only did I get to see the sparkles of the gold stone in the sun light, I also got to see some stars.
As there was no blood, there was no foul and we carried on.
The trip to four corners was actually a side trip a little out of the way but it was worth it. We ended up having several of those during the trip and each time we found something amazing and spectacular.
Next stop was Hovenweep National Monument. It’s more pueblan ruins, the main differnece being that they are on the edge of a canyon. It’s a self guided exploration trail that’s about 2 miles. It was pushing 100 degrees fahrenheit, but we grabbed some water and headed off. Part of the trek involves going down to the bottom of the canyon and back up the other side. Luckily for us the Ranger let us know that if we were to do the whole thing we should do that side first. Made the rest of the trip much easier.
The ruins were spectacular and in the middle of no where. It’s interesting to see how the buildings were constructed and how they both differed and were similar to the ruins in Aztec.
We enjoyed the air conditioning as we drove to Bluff, Utah, our jump point for Monument Valley.
Stacey has some photos up at www.myfamilyjeep.com
