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May 19, 2010
Road trips have always been a terrific way to tour National Parks, visit historical sites, discover those little, out of the way attractions, and meet new people. Enough cannot be said about pre-planning, especially if children are aboard. While planning the trip, always leave enough time between stops to thoroughly enjoy the attractions.
When travelling desert terrain, taking plenty of water is not an option, dehydration can set in without much notice. Sunscreen, bug spray, and sunglasses, are also necessities. Pack a variety of clothing for each family member; days in the desert are sweltering hot, but nights are cool. Don't forget to pack hiking boots or comfortable walking shoes, as many sites in the desert require some foot work.
Our journey begins five miles north of Moab, Utah. Arches National Park, with its 2000 sandstone arches, is an enticing playground for hikers and those enjoying an off-road experience. The colourful arches were caused by natural erosion and other geological events. Though wildlife stays scarce during the hot daylight hours, snakes, birds, insects rodents, and small mammals emerge from their dens to hunt at night.
A few miles south of Moab, the massive canyons and mesas of Canyonlands National Park become apparent. The park has four main attractions: Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the Rivers. The towering cliffs of Island in the Sky oversee the magnificent, never-ending spires of the Needles, and remote hiking area of the Maze. At night this desert area comes alive with mountain lions, reptiles, and a variety of rodents.
Heading in still a southerly direction, and a little off the beaten path, the Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona state lines merge to form Four Corners National Monument. It is the only area in the United States where four states lines intersect. The area, operated by the Navajo tribe, is desolate though it is rather amusing to sit down on the platform and be in all four states at the same time.
A few miles east, Mesa Verde National Park is located in the mountains of Southwest Colorado. The well-preserved cliff dwellings of the ancient Pueblo people are awe inspiring. Tours by the National Park Service are available but self-guided tours are allowed. The area is inhabited by the usual, mountain animals; fox, deer, mountain lions, birds, and a variety of fish.
Heading south into New Mexico, called the Land of Enchantment and appropriately named, another must see area is Chaco Canyon. It is situated between Farmington and Santa Fe. Many Native American tribes, including the Chacoan, Hopi and the Navajo, still deem the area sacred. Ruins of great stone structures still remain with some having many levels and hundreds of rooms. Wildlife also thrives in the area with many species of mammals, birds, and fish.
The Billy the Kid Gravesite and Museum is not far away in Fort Sumner. This area will certainly thrill those interested in the stories of famous outlaws and gunslingers of the Old West. The museum is filled with Billy memorabilia, and not far from the museum are two graves, both apparently Billy's. Rumour has it that his gravestone has been stolen and recovered several times, although the reason for the two graves is still insufficiently explained.
Heading south, another stop relating to questionable authenticity lies in the Southeast desert. Roswell, New Mexico's claim to fame is, of course, the 1947 alien crash site. Although the town is brimming with alien this and that, there is really nothing to see or do, except maybe purchase a "little green man" for the kids.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, just south of Roswell, is still one of the most visited attractions in the country. Fossils of Ice age mammals have been discovered in the hundreds of caves, caused by an inland sea millions of years ago. The Big Room covers over eight acres, and is well-lit with fairly easy walking paths. From the Witches Finger to the Temple of the Sun, the stalactites and stalagmites (structures formed by dripping water in the cave) are wondrous and colourful creations. The emergence of the bats at dusk is a main attraction at Carlsbad. Thousands of bats leave the caves, called outflights, to hunt for food and return at dawn. Have the camera ready.
Moving east, The Smokey the Bear Museum and Grave, located in Capitan, New Mexico, is certainly a favourite vacation stop for small children. Smokey was actually a real bear cub that had been injured and was rescued by firefighters in 1950. He spent most of his life in the National Zoo, but was buried at his home in Capitan. His grave is near the museum.
Heading west into the majestic Sacramento Mountains, Ruidoso Downs Racetrack is right on the route for the horseracing enthusiast. A few miles up the mountain, the beautiful and well-managed Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation can provide a bit of gambling in one of their two Vegas style casinos.
Just down the other side of the mountain, the White Sands National Monument will soon be visible. Three hundred square miles of gypsum sand cover the desert terrain. The vast dunes of sand do not seem a very likely habitat for wildlife; however, rabbits, lizards, fox, coyotes, rodents, and insects are abundant; keep an eye out for sand scorpions. The area also is home to Holloman Air Force Base and the infamous White Sands Missile Range.
A few miles east of White Sands, and just north of Silver City, a visit to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument will provide a remarkable education on life in the area 700 years ago. The Mogollon people built massive homes and cave dwellings, leaving hundreds of pictographs as evidence of their unpretentious life. Wildlife is numerous in the area: bear, deer, elk, coyotes, fox, and wolves all roam free.
Welcome to Arizona. Crossing the border into Arizona, the Canyon de Chelly National Monument boasts the architecture and artifacts of many ancient cultures. The Navajo people still inhabit the region today. Some of the remaining structures date back as far as 1200 years ago.
This desert journey ends the way it should, at Grand Canyon National Park. Carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers, the canyon is 18 miles wide and a mile deep. The canyon has been an archaeologists' dream for years; remains of the canyon inhabitants, some dating 12,000 years old, are still being discovered. In recent years, the Grand Canyon Skywalk was erected. The glass walkout extends 66 feet out over the canyon wall; it's a mere 4000 feet to the bottom. Hiking (mules are available), white water rafting, helicopter rides, and just enjoying the splendid views make this canyon visit an unforgettable adventure.
Those who thought the desert was an arid wasteland will certainly have gained a new perspective. The scenery could not be more magnificent with the majestic mountains, flowing rivers, high desert mesas, flourishing wildlife and colourful canyons. For the bit of archaeologist in all of us, the historical structures and fascinating pictographs will be truly mesmerizing. This desert land will captivate even the most unyielding skeptic with its peaceful and enchanting atmosphere.
Regards, |
