El Morro

Coming home from Canyon de Chelly, we stopped at El Morro National Monument, which is about 135 miles west of Cedar Crest.  This large sandstone outcropping became known as Inscription Rock because many early explorers and travelers inscribed their names and pertinent, to them, facts noting their passage: an early-day "Waldo was here" sort of notification.  The first European explorer's inscription dates to 15 years before the Pilgrim's landing at Plymouth Rock.  We wondered whether any modern graffiti will be monument-ized 300 years from now.

One of the earliest and most significant inscriptions was done by General Don Diego de Vargas, in 1692.  He, Joey Vargas's ancestor, no doubt, proclaimed that he had "conquered for our Holy Faith and for the Royal Crown, all of New Mexico (however it was defined at the time) at his own expense (emphasis added) ... ."  Here's a picture of Don Vargas:

This particular rock was important to travelers because there was a year-round pool of water at its base.  The pool has been deepened and stabilized by the park service. 

An early trading route from the Rio Grande to Acoma Pueblo to Zuni Pueblo passed El Morro.  The railroad, Route 66, and now I-40 parallel this route about 30 miles to the north.

There are pueblo ruins on top, pre-dating the European explorers, but, late on a hot day, we did not hike up to see them.  The outcropping is U-shaped, not a mesa like Acoma and other formations in the area, and contains a grassy box canyon in its interior. 

So, now you've had your history lesson. 

Karen and Mike flew home on Saturday and Jason stayed the next week with us.  Details next.

Rob and Susie