SPIRITS OF THE PAST - by Dot

It would be unthinkable to be in New Mexico and not spend some time learning more about the various Native American tribes who have inhabited these lands for thousands of years. We plan to spend more time on that while we are in the Santa Fe area next week. However, yesterday we made the three hundred mile roundtrip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings to enjoy the spectacular scenery enroute, to be more informed about the Mongollon people who lived in these caves high on a cliff, and to connect with their spirits in a place that seems sacred.

Some of the trip was over roads that we had traveled previously. However, the scenic route north of Deming along the Mimbres River was new territory. At San Lorenzo we took the “Trail of the Mountain Spirits” National Scenic Byway. It was slow going at times over mountainous terrain with many hairpin turns as we ascended higher and higher through the Gila National Forest. One obvious change in the landscape was the difference in color --- more green and less brown! Pinion and juniper trees are in abundance. As the road winds higher there are more dramatic rock formations and peaks and tall ponderosa pines and fir trees. As we traveled we crossed the Great Continental Divide, got a glimpse of the beautiful Lake Roberts, saw two deer next to the road, and stopped at numerous lookouts to take pictures and enjoy the views.

Early on in our trip we started a list of amusing or interesting signs and out-of-place sights. The first was a large billboard in the middle of the desert proclaiming “Donate Your Boat”!! We wondered why anyone around there would even have a boat. Of course, if they did they might as well donate it since there would be no place nearby to sail it! Other signs included” “Zero Visibility Possible” (One might make a case that zero visibility is always “possible.”) Then there was “Don’t Stop in Travel Lanes.” (Do drivers really have to be told that this is dangerous?!) “Running Water” was a frequent sign that is not seen back east. Of course, it refers to areas where an arroyo crosses the road and provides the risk of a sudden rush of water if there is rain.
We got used to the numerous cattle guards on the highway which we assume play a role in keeping cattle, deer, elk and other hoofed animals from becoming traffic hazards. We were surprised to pass a lone biker (as in bicycle, NOT motorcycle) laboring hard to ascend the mountain. I wondered how long it would take for him to reach his destination!

For the most part we seldom encountered other cars or people on the trip. Thus it was a shock when a young woman came jogging toward us on the side of the road with one of those three-wheeled jogging strollers! We have no idea where she came from or where she was headed! At another remote area we saw also a woman walking a dog!

We arrived at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument just in time for the only guided tour of the day. However, it started at the top of the cliff! We did our best to hurry along the path and up the steep incline and got in on most of the guide's remarks. It was good to have the information that he gave but at times I preferred to just stand and try to imagine the people who lived in these caves and to feel their spirit around me.

We had been to the cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Park many years ago but did not climb the many ladders that seemed to be required to visit those caves. Therefore it was good that we were able to access these dwellings in spite of my bad knee and the fact that we were 30 years older.

In the quiet and solitude of the forest we enjoyed a picnic before heading back toward “home”, partially by another route that had been recommended by a friend. The scenery was equally spectacular as the road wound its way through other parts of the Gila National Forest and back to the desert between Truth or Consequences and Hatch.

We had departed from home just after sunrise and returned after sunset, weary but full of the wonderful opportunity to see so much beauty of God’s creation and thankful for George Catlin, Theodore Roosevelt and many others who had the foresight to make sure that these treasures are preserved through our national park system.