Bandelier National Monument

So two weekends ago I explored Bandelier National Monument by myself. The whole day was awesome!

On my way to the National Park I stopped outside of Sante Fe at a really cool swap meet on an Indian Pueblo. Wish I could have spent all day looking at the really artsy stuff but it was on to the exploration.

At the park I hiked the Main Loop Trail and stuck my head in a few cavets. I loved looking back over Tyuonyi and imagining what the place must have looked like when it was so heavily populated. Bandelier has the feel of a combination between Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde which makes it really unique.

About 12 miles from the main park is an area called Tsankawi which is far less populated. The place is amazing and off I went in the hot desert sun. When I started exploring Tsankawi I took off by myself and didn't worry too much about getting lost because you are literally walking in ancient paths... Of course, somehow I got a bit turned around and started to second guess myself. Then I got a little nervous when I saw storm clouds son the horizon.

So I said a little prayer and kept going... how did the Lord save the day you ask? Well, I'm glad you asked, after hiking a little further I ran into the first people I had seen for quite some time. It was a Girl's Camp from one of the Albuquerque Wards and they pointed me in the right direction. I guess the only people crazy enough to be exploring out in the middle of nowhere is us crazy Mormons.

Made it back to my truck and home safe, but I'll always get a little chuckle when I think about the randomness (and blessing) of running into a bunch of Young Women on a Girl's Camp hike in the middle of nowhere New Mexico!