Bandelier National Monument

So after leaving the wonderful town of Madrid, NM, we headed for Bandelier National Monument.  A very nice drive past Los Alamos National Labs (I never knew those engineers had such a scenic place to work!).

Another Beautiful Day, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Overlooking Los Alamos Property, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Stunning Cliffs, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We really enjoyed this place.  In addition to being visually stunning, it's great hands-on fun as well.    Easy hikes, and some cool ladders to see where the cliff dwellers lived.

Let's Give this a Try, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Welcome Home?, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

A Window View, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Even Multi-story Dwellings, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

There is an additional hike out to the Alcove House, and some much taller ladders.  Well worth the time, so long as you do not have an unmanageable fear of heights.  These ladders are bolted in place, so that was reassuring ;-)

Now That's as Ladder, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

An Amazing Place, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Quite the View, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

A Long Way Down!, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

My only "oops" moment was when my water bottle was dislodged from my backpack and fell down a steep slope.  Hey, that's a great Zojirushi thermos -- it had to be rescued ;-)  After that, we wandered back to the visitor center, past the very tame deer, and spent the night in the Juniper Campground.

Off Piste for Zojirushi, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Very Tame Deer, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Juniper Campground, Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

What a great day!  One tip if you are driving an RV, is that the visitor center has exactly *one* RV parking spot right as you enter.  Grab it if you can (we were lucky), as you will be spending the day hiking from this location.