Traveling Northern New Mexico

We traveled through northern New Mexico as we headed back home from our snowbird winter in AZ. After nearly 15 years, it is interesting to take a different route if time allows. Since we have added geocaching on these road trips, taking a different route adds more interest. Such was the case on Thursday. We left the Farmington NM area with plans to be in Taos or maybe Raton at the end of the day.

This geocaching map of New Mexico counties shows where we have traveled (since 2012) and why we like finding a different route. The hope was to get 5 more counties in the northwest and north central parts of the state, including that teeny, tiny corner of the one county. That meant some serious planning on the part of Hubby. (We traveled through some of those south east counties on a trip home in 2010 BG. [before geocaching])

He needed to find highways that would get us into the county, but also highways with geocaches along the way that did not require any or much off-roading. He was also looking for geocaches with high favorite points to add to our totals during the challenge mentioned in earlier blog posts.

Table Rock

a high number of favorite points

an interesting rock formation

and a wee bit of challenge to get to

adding some interest to the morning's drive

 Red Rock region on the historic bypass, Highway 4

a very pretty drive

so much better than I-40

two-lane winding roads, very little traffic 

and interesting scenery

known for its hot springs

gazebo covered springs/fountain

and location of a geocache

"Jemez Springs became a tourist destination in the 1800’s because of its natural mineral hot springs. Legend has it that, in the late 1800’s, one of the hot springs erupted into a geyser and locals realized the commercial opportunities. The water was enclosed with a rock wall and the gazebo built around it still stands today at the Plaza."  -Jemez Springs.org

I'm thinking this is a partially formed fountain 

from the chemicals in the water

chemical components of the water in the hot springs

the Jemez River

"Jemez Springs is abundant in natural hot springs which derive from the super volcano, the Valles Caldera National Preserve just 17 miles north. Several primitive hot springs make Jemez Springs a delight for hikers who are rewarded by beautiful waterfalls or comforting hot springs."

pressure valve or release?

we could see the steam rolling off the falling water

"Village owned, the bath house is over 100 years old and is a State Historical Site. From half hour soaks to wraps and other services, the facility includes four massage treatment rooms and eight bath tubs. The original rock enclosure where the original geyser was established in 1860 is on site. Free soaks on birthdays."

"It was originally opened by a local family. In 1860 settlers heard a roar and found that one of the local hot springs had irrupted like a geyser. Once the eruption subsided a rock enclosure was constructed around the spring and in 1876 the original bathhouse was built that same hot spring is still in use at the bathhouse today and can be seen under the gazebo just north of the building."

"Evidence of human presence in the Jemez Valley dates back as far as 2,500 BC where archaeological findings were uncovered at Jemez Cave near Soda Dam. Over the years, migrating groups eventually formed pueblos, which are believed to have been inhabited by as many as 30,000 people."

"The pueblo of Guisewa what is now Jemez Springs – was occupied until the 15th century by ancestors of present day Jemez (Walatowa) people. Spanish missionaries arrived around 1541 and established missions in the area, one of which was San Jose de Guisewa, built by the Franciscan priests around 1621. These stone ruins still stand at the Jemez Historic Site. Today, a 1,400 foot interpretive trail winds through the site ruins."

 no time to explore

we were on a mission

more miles to drive

more geocaches & counties to get

*all italic quotes taken from Jemez Springs.org