We have had a lot of fun this week exploring various local sites (some of which I listed here before) with my dad.

Highlights included:

Amerind Museum ()

This was a place I’d passed on the highway many, many times and really wanted to visit. With Dad’s interest in Native American history and this being on the way to Casa Grande, the opportunity was ripe.

This was a very nice museum and separate art gallery, both housed in beautiful colonial Spanish buildings. The works here belonged to the private collection of William Fulton, a businessperson and later archeologist, who moved to Texas Canyon, AZ to further his studies.

Casa Grande Ruins ()

These ancient ruins are from the Hohokam culture and feature the “great house,” a four-story high structure housed under a modern shelter to protect it.

Fort Bowie ()

We’d planned to do Fort Bowie in the morning and the Shakespeare Ghost Town in the afternoon, but Fort Bowie ended up being a bigger adventure than we’d thought and we spent all day there.

We hiked to the fort (though I now understand that you can drive there), and it was a beautiful hike through amazing country to get there. After we hiked back (different trail…well worth it), we were famished and had a great picnic lunch.

City of Rocks State Park ()

This was the state park where we camped on the first night of our two-night trip up to Bandelier. It features a large number of upright rocks made from eroded volcanic ash, one of only six geologically similar features in the world.

This place was awesome! Just about every camp site was great. We got in just before sunset and left the next morning, but we’ll definitely be returning to check out the surrounding trails and to spend more time here.

Bandelier National Monument ()

This site of Ancestral Pueblo dwellings has been on my to-do list since the first time we went to Albuquerque, and it met all my expectations plus some. Brad and I even hiked up to the Alcove House, which features a 140 feet climb up four ladders.

In addition to the fascinating ruins, we saw lots of beautiful fall foliage. And the drive both into and out of the part was stunning.

We camped at Jemez Falls campground (which was great) and also enjoyed a nice breakfast in Jemez Springs at the Jemez Stage Stop. (This seemed like a fun little burg to spend a weekend or something.)

Petroglyphs National Monument()

We snuck in a visit to the petroglyphs too on the way home from Bandelier. (These pics are from the last time Brad and I were there.)

We also did a few canyon drives (Horseshoe, Price) while Dad was here and ate a lot of good food.

Our region is so packed full of unique and interesting natural and historical sites, some of which we’ve visited and others of which are still on our list.

I’ve been thinking about this for two reasons. One is that we are having some visitors here this month. The other is that I am excited about the idea of doing some projects with local school kids around some of these sites. Being a fairly remote location, a lot of kids think it’s boring to living here and that anywhere would be better. On the other hand, a lot of us adults have chosen to live here because it is such an interesting place. Kids here (many of whom have never seen these sites) should get a vision of why it’s a cool place.

So here’s a list of some of the sites, just in case you’re wondering.

Within 2 hours

Chiricahua National Monument
Our favorite…we take every visitor here and never tire of it.

Fort Bowie
Haven’t been there yet but are looking forward to it probably later this month. Update – we’ve been and liked it a lot

Shakespeare Ghost Town
Again, haven’t been there yet…hoping to go for the re-enactment weekend later this month. (I’m leaving Tombstone off this list…I hear it’s grotesquely commercial, and Brad won’t go anyway.) – Update: We’ve been to the Shakespeare ghost town; interesting, a bit touristy, but good if you like this kind of thing….and some day, I want to go to Tombstone; a free beer goes to whoever comes and wants to go with me.

Kartcher Caverns
Haven’t been

Within 4 hours

Gila Cliff Dwellings
See recent post

The Catwalk Trail
Haven’t been (nor to Glenwood), north of Silver City Update: visited briefly; another stop if you go up this way is Pietown

City of Rocks State Park
Near Deming…haven’t been there yet, but maybe this month. Events calendar looks intriguing. Update – we’ve been and liked it a lot

Saguaro National Park
Have driven through it, not sure how much more there is to see

(Also in Tucson is the San Xavier del Bac mission. I think there are other missions around here, especially near El Paso, but I need to research.)

Casa Grande Ruins

Within 6+ hours

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
One of my personal favs; see video of the fly out. Brad hasn’t been. We will definitely go again when the bird count gets good this year.

Carlsbad Caverns
Haven’t been

Sedona

Bandelier National Monument

Petroglyphs National Monument

A bit farther afield (but definitely on the list)

Grand Canyon (8 hours)

Big Bend (8 hours)

I’ll add to this list as new things come to my attention. – Update: a few more things here, here and here.