We recently returned from a trip to the Southwest United States: New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. I was inspired to make many photos. The hard part for me is deciding which to share. Instead of making myself decide which are most worthy, I tend to share those that reveal bits of my story of the places. Today I begin with our first days, flying into Albuquerque and driving to Santa Fe and beyond. We walked one of the trails of the Petroglyph National Monument adjacent to the suburbs of Albuquerque. “The monument was established in 1990 to protect the volcanoes, the petroglyphs, and related archeological sites,” per the National Park Service’s brochure. Herman Agoyo, All-Indian Pueblo Council Chairman, said “These petroglyphs are not the remnants of some long lost civilization…they are part of our living culture.”
Cactus blooms in Albuquerque, New Mexico
A sandy trail lead through desert plants and tumbling rubble of rolcanic rocks
Petroglyphs carved on volcanic rock and oxidized over 400 to 700 years
This lizard is camouflaged in part shade on a volcanic rock
The lizard petroglygh connects me with their ancient world
Hands and other symbols
Desert blooms in green
Desert blooms
This is the first Catholic Mission church built in what is now the United States.
The interior of the first Catholic Mission church is tranquil in its simplicity
Contemporary architecture reflects the graceful beauty and practicality of the ancient Pueblo designs
Porticos shield the interiors from the brilliant sunshine and thick walls insulate the interior temperatures from the dry air’s wide changes
The interior Plazuela of La Fonda hotel made a great setting for a delicious dinner
Tony Abeyta’s “Stormy Canyon” graced the walls of La Fonda on the Plaza next to our room.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Some native Americans have embraced Spanish Catholicism as depicted in this tranquil sculpture at the Cathedral
A soft golden light permeates the interior of the Cathedral and colored light from the stained glass wndows of the saints bathes the elaaborately painted alcove
A photo of Georgia O’Keeffe displaying her painting shows the scale and boldness of the artist and her work
The landscape that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe
Artists still paint the landscape where Georgia O’Keeffe worked
Artist Umi Raby de Santa Fe
Artist Umi Raby de Santa Fe expresses herself through her hands and face
The iris blooming in the cool air of Santa Fe smelled as sweet as they look
A singer/guitarest entertains the the visitors on the Santa Fe Plaza with songs of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young