No birds were flying overhead-- There were no birds to fly.

Travel Date: Thursday, July 8

On the recommendation of a friendly native Arizonian at our campsite, we chose to bypass the interstate in departing Arizona and travel through a Zuni Indian reservation to get to Bandera Volcano & Ice Caves.  Sounded cool enough.  The “Land of Fire & Ice,” as it was coined, was reached by a nearly endless dirt driveway, which tested the suspension on our four-wheeled warrior.  The trading post found at the birth of the volcano pass outfitted us with vague trail directions and sent us on our way.  With images of spewing of lava in mind, we hurriedly climbed up to the peak of the volcano, only to be reminded of the meaning of “inactive,” in this case for 50,000 years.  Just missed it.  After taking in the gaping hollow in the earth left in its wake, we trekked back down to drop into a rocky chasm in the ground housing an ice cave.  Although a bit skeptical of experiencing anything frozen in the midst of sun-baked New Mexico in July, a rapid descent into a cavern presented us with a sub-freezing chamber filled with icicles and a 20’ thick ice floor.  Our trail guide described how this area had once been used by early settlers to chisel ice chunks which were used to cool beer and other perishables, but is now preserved and continuously renewed by rainwater.

Quite satisfied by our latest random exploit, we cruised onward through Albuquerque to Santa Fe.  Known for it’s multicultural art scene, we toured around the city and were amazed by the unique architecture.  Under Spanish influence, the city of Santa Fe was laid out according to the “Laws of the Indies” which stated that the town must be laid out around a central plaza.  Over the years, an eclectic mix of architecture that surrounded this plaza wasn’t drawing the crowds the city hoped for.  In 1912, it was decided that the city would be rebuilt using a unified building style – the Spanish Pueblo Revival look in attempts to better the economy through a boost in tourism.  This change in architecture was obviously successful, as we walked through the Plaza filled with live music and a few thousand people who were in town for the 7^th annual International Folk Art Festival’s opening events.  This festival brought more than 120 artists from 55 countries together to sell their crafts and share their culture.  Many artists use this festival as a way to provide for their families and small villages.    

   

Santa Fe is also home to the Miraculous Staircase of Loretto Chapel.  This staircase is considered an architectural impossibility due to its two complete spirals without a center support or use of nails.  The mysterious traveler who constructed this staircase is thought to be Saint Joseph, the patron saint of this chapel. 

After attempting to take in the energy and vibrancy of Santa Fe in only one evening, we found ourselves full of Mexican food and asleep in no time, for the next day would bring even more unique sites to see. 

- The Walrus & The Carpenter