When I finished that post, I went back and counted: the trip includes 19 archaeological sites: 15 of them National Monuments, plus 1 National Park (Mesa Verde), 1 National Historical Park (Chaco), and 2 sites managed by local authorities (in Phoenix and Globe). And that's not to mention the Navajo Tribal Parks, the named Scenic Highways, and the two living Pueblos, old Oraibi and Taos, among the most ancient towns in the United States, their people maintaining traditions dating back to a time when most Europeans were still grubbing about in the muck.

Covering all that in a single week is quite a whirlwind; in most cases, there's only enough time for a drive-by. A couple of hours, or for some places as much as half a day, but even at that, it's just not enough time. I'm with UtahTea on that, but I'm not sure about devoting two full months to it! (Not with so many other beautiful places out there that I have NOT seen before!)

Bandelier National Monument is a great example of a fabulous spot that most people have never heard of. I've only been there once, when researching the area for my book. My visit was in late October, when the leaves were turning, and it was every bit as pretty as any forest back in the east. The ruins were a bonus, and they're ultra cool!


Frijoles Canyon. Most of the year, private vehicles aren't allowed, and you have to take a shuttle from the Visitors Center in White Rock


Gorgeous fall color!




This was quite a happening place at one time. The Ancestral Puebloan people moved in back around 1100 AD and had a good thing going for almost 500 years. I wouldn't mind mind staying a few days, at least!

Rick