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This suggested itinerary
includes Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos,
Chama, Farmington, Gallup and Grants. The itinerary can be
adjusted to take from four to eight days, depending on
activities
in each community. As far as routing, this circle tour can start
in either direction; Albuquerque west to Gallup and Grants, or
Albuquerque north to Santa Fe.
Day 1 -- Fly or drive into
Albuquerque and visit historic Old
Town, or visit numerous museums, attractions and Indian pueblos
in the surrounding area.
Day 2 -- Santa Fe, only an
hour's drive north of Albuquerque,
offers visitors the unique historic Downtown Plaza, art
galleries
and museums.
Day 3 -- An established artists'
colony for years, Taos is rich
in art and culture, and home to the Taos Pueblo Indians.
Day 4 -- Travel west along
scenic Hwy. 64 to the quaint mountain
town of Chama and ride the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
through the Carson National Forest.
Day 5 -- Continue west about 100
miles on Hwy. 64 to Farmington,
the city the Navajos call Totah, "the meeting place of
waters."
For an introduction to the area, visit the Farmington Museum,
which features several changing exhibits, an innovative
children's gallery and gift shop. Walk through downtown and
browse for Native American arts and crafts at the many trading
posts that have existed here since the area was first settled.
Take U.S. Hwy. 550 east 14 miles to Aztec, NM, and tour the
Aztec
Ruins National Monument, a prehistoric pueblo more than 800
years
old, which features the only fully-reconstructed Great Kiva in
the Southwest. Visitor Center and picnic facilities available.
Travel 7 miles south on Hwy. 544
and 3 miles west on Hwy. 64 to
Salmon Ruins. Both Salmon and Aztec Ruins were built by the
Anasazi in the architectural style of Chaco Canyon. Tree ring
dates from roof beams tell us that most of the Salmon Pueblo was
built between 1088 and 1095 A.D., which is a very short time
considering the huge dimensions of the structure. After 40 years
of occupation in the mid-1100s, the site was abandoned and then
reoccupied in the late 1100s.
Take a step back in time at
Heritage Park, which is comprised of
eight habitation units representing human occupation of the San
Juan Valley through thousands of years. Sites include the ice
age
pond, an archaic sand dune hunting site, a basketmaker pithouse,
Ute and Jicarilla Apache wickiups and teepees, Navajo
forked-stick and cribbed-log hogans, and the original Salmon
family homestead. Self-guided and guided tours of the grounds
are
available. Salmon Ruins also sponsors guided tours of Chaco
Canyon and the Dinetah area. Call (505) 632-2013 for
information.
Return to Farmington, 10 miles
west on Hwy. 64, to enjoy a
relaxing evening of Outdoor Summer Theater presented in a
natural
sandstone amphitheater. Call (800) 448-1240 or (505) 327-9336
for
information. If the outdoor drama is not being performed, check
the calendar of events for other productions, or enjoy an
evening
of country western dancing at a local club.
Day 6 -- Travel 10 miles east on
Hwy. 64 then 50 miles south on
Hwy. 44 to the turn-off for Chaco Culture National Historical
Park. Be prepared to drive 20 miles on dirt roads after the
turn-off. Chaco Canyon was once the dwelling place of the
Anasazi, or "Ancient Ones", and has been designated a
World
Heritage Site. Thirteen major excavated ruins now dominate the
canyon floor. The surrounding network of 1,200 miles of
arrow-straight roads were the production of relatively
sophisticated engineering and have impressed even veteran
archaeologists. It is no wonder that these recent discoveries
have generated a new scientific field of research -
archaeoastronomy - and earned Chaco the nickname
"Stonehenge of
the Southwest".
Take the Hwy. 371 exit from
Chaco (ask the Visitor Center for
directions) and travel 6 miles north to the Bisti/De-na-zin
Wilderness turn-off. Travel 2 miles on a gravel road to the
fenced off area. A federally protected area full of strange
geological formations, badlands and fossils, the area provides
excellent hiking and photography. The best formations are about
a
two-mile hike due east into the area. No services or facilities
are available, so bring water, food and other necessities.
Travel
to Farmington for dinner at a New Mexican style restaurant or
steakhouse.
Day 7 -- Travel west on Hwy. 64
to Shiprock (30 miles) and view
the famous Shiprock Pinnacle along the way. Take Hwy. 666 to
Gallup, New Mexico, the heart of Indian Country, featuring
nightly Indian dances, (end of May through September 1). The
78th
Annual Intertribal Indian Ceremonial, held August 12-15, is one
of the country's major Native American events. The festivities
include an all-Indian rodeo, parade, powwow, Indian Marketplace
and Indian dancers from throughout the nation and Mexico. Area
attractions include: Zuni Pueblo, El Morro National Park,
Hubbell's Trading Post, and Canyon de Chelly National Monument.
Day 8 -- Travel east on I-40 to
Grants, New Mexico, and visit the
New Mexico Museum of Mining, El Malpais National Monument, Ice
Caves and Bandera Crater, Acoma Pueblo-Sky City, La Ventana Arch
and Crownpoint, which is the home of the monthly Navajo Rug
Auction. Return to Albuquerque via Interstate 40 east, or by
rail
via Amtrak.
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