On a random Wednesday we found ourselves asking, ‘What is there to do in Gallup, NM?’ If that place sounds familiar, it’s because it’s in that Route 66 song:
“Now you go through saint looey
Joplin, missouri,
And oklahoma city is mighty pretty.
You see amarillo,
Gallup, new mexico,
Flagstaff, arizona.
Don’t forget winona,
Kingman, barstow, san bernandino.”
That’s all the prodding we needed to head out for an adventure. We heard about this place called Fire and Ice that was about 70 miles away which allowed you to hike up to the rim of a volcano and down into an old lava tube that was a natural ice cave and stayed 31 degrees F all year around. So, we packed up our waters, dried apple slices, beef jerky, and of course, our camera.
About 50 miles down the road we came across El Morro National Monument. It looked pretty impressive standing there amidst the desert brush and flatlands, especially with the bright blue sky and zig zagging jet streams as a backdrop.
At first it seemed like a drive by experience, but we found our way to the visitor’s center set back from the main road. Turns out, this was a pretty big deal. The Visitor’s Center was equipped with a museum, a store filled with books on the local area and a Park Ranger that handed us a trail guide, pointed us in the right direction and told us the 2 mile loop should take us about an hour to hike.
At the bottom of this sandstone cliff was a pool of water that existed solely from rain water and snow melt. Apparently it has never gone dry and people have been stopping by this pool since before the 1600’s. Right along the pool of water there are petroglyphs and messages etched into the sandstone. The things these people could do with some sandstone and a knife makes me think we’ve lost the art of script.
Considering we at first thought this was nothing more than a cool thing to take photos of as we drove past it slowly, the fact that we were walking along the face of this monument and then were able to hike up 200 feet in elevation to walk along the top of it to the old ruins was pretty cool. And with the fall colours, the dark blue sky, and the fact that we had the trail to ourselves, we couldn’t get enough of the scenery.
Needless to say, we did not finish the 2 mile hike in the recommended hour. 2 1/2 hours later, we finally made it back on the road to continue our adventure for the day.
Fire and Ice:
First we hiked up a hill of volcanic rock to see the opening of an old volcano. Although interesting to say you are standing where a volcano erupted 10,000 years ago, there really wasn’t much to see. It kind of felt like we had paid $10 each for a gym membership – steep incline on a slippery volcanic rock surface is a pretty good workout.
We finished up our hike by heading to the natural ice cave. As soon as you hit the stairs down into it you can feel the temperature decreasing.
Who would think in the middle of the desert in New Mexico you would find a wall of ice.
All in all, a great day of exploring the natural landscape. I woke up that morning thinking we were going to drive to Phoenix, AZ and instead, we ended up hiking the same paths as the Spaniards from the 1600’s, climbing a volcano and feeling a bone chilling 31 degrees in the middle of the desert.
** This post was ‘Freshly Pressed’ on November 17, 2011**
Adventures On the Road 
I love that part of NM. Thanks for the reminder pictures. Next time you should see La Ventana and the Sandstone Bluffs south of Grants. Great photos!!
Oh how fun is that! Gone are the days of calling cards and tasteful graffiti 🙂
Abigail
The sky is sooo blue! Amazing!
Wow…the colors, with the autumn leaves…just WOW!
I’m glad you reminded me of where I had heard of the destination, though. I would have been racking my brain endlessly.
Instead, now I’ll just be playing Route 66 on a constant annoying loop in my head!
😉
It will not stop playing in my head, also the movie cars keeps coming to mind
Wow, that rock hanging from that ledge is amazing. It looks like one little touch will send it falling. Wouldn’t want to be underneath. Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
Congrats on being freshly pressed! I like your writing style–easy to read, informative, to the point.
I LOVE unexpected adventures involving driving on the road and nature. It’s exciting to find scenic places and other hidden gems.
Thanks for posting those great photos with the tidbits of history infused throughout.
What a variety of experiences and sights! Thanks v much for sharing them
I’m a pretty clumsy person (always falling down stairs and such), so I can’t imagine having to walk down THAT flight of stairs!! They have that “Please use handrails” sign posted for people like me, I’m sure…lol!
Beautiful photos and congrats on being Freshly Pressed! 🙂
Looks like a place to add to my list of places to go!
So interesting. I love this. I especially loved the petroglyphics and the years that were chistled into the stone. Very fascinating. Love this stuff.
http://valentinedefrancis.blogspot.com
These pictures are great! I’ve never been to AZ but am becoming more and more convinced that I need to visit California’s beautiful neighbor!
Love your photos:) It is amazing that rocks like the one in your photo stay like that and not just shear off – mind boggling!
New Mexico does have a beautiful landscape. I used to love the view of the mountains when I lived there.
wow – what lovely pics – thank God for cameras!!
would i have ever seen this? doubt it.
Really beautiful photos and the scenery is stunning. Thanks for sharing and congrats on being freshly pressed!
First time visitor. Well done at capturing the essence of one of my fav songs!
Nicely designed site.
Poignant, spare writing style is easy to read – love the pics. Should’a posted a volcano pic, regardless.
Cool to see ice in NM.
All in all, a great blog!
These are some awesome pics. Really well done.
I love the photography! Very nice
Wow those shots are incredible. I love the handprints in the stone!! It’s so neat, and to think of how many people have visited there! So cool!!
Awesome pictures! Thank you for sharing! I will subscribe to your blog.
According to me , this trip is very interesting for you.Really is different. Everywhere in the World ,there is interesting sceneries…Thank you for your sharing… from Turkey Saadet.
Beautiful!
Ever day life is an adventure–Thank you for enjoying and sharing. If you get to Las Vegas–please go to the Red Rock Conservation Area–you will be thrilled with the hikes and what some people never see. Early morning is the best; color wise and viewing the animals.
Enjoy!!!!
i get a cool feeling looking at these pics…
Wow! Amazing pics and my goodness- what a beautiful blue sky!!!!
The colours and photography is amazing, goes to show theres always an adventure to be had!
pictures are great and interesting.
Amazing pictures!
Loved the pictures of the hieroglyphics and the signatures from 1866. I recently wrote my name on a rock formation, along with thousands of others, using a rock as a writing utensil. We humans haven’t changed a bit over the centuries 😉 We have to say we’ve been here, done that.
So true!
Never been to NM. However after seeing your pics it is on the list for next year’s trip. Nice photos!
NM definitely has a lot of beauty. I recommend the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October.
Thankyou for showing me a part of the world I have never seen..
Beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing!
ok…this is amazing. you had me at volcano. and all the other stuff is just like a big bonus. love the pictures and you’ve inspired me to maybe put this very adventure on my bucket list. thanks!
http://www.icouldntmakethisshitup.wordpress.com
Oh wow! Those are stunning!
Wow, great pictures! The fall colours and the dark blue sky are beautiful. They remind me of my drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway a month or so ago. I took some great shots up there. I’ll be sure to have those posted soon!
Looking forward to seeing the photos.
Amazing view,awesome.
I would loved to have seen that ice cave! Thanks for sharing!
I’m sure it’s even more amazing now that the temperatures are dropping and they’re getting some rain. I really wanted to see huge icicles. Maybe one day I’ll make it back…
cool
Although I’ve no idea of most of the places you talk about, these pictures are fantastic and I’d love to visit these places! I’ve always wanted to visit the States – this is the reason why.
These are the most beautiful pictures! I love them, thank you for sharing!
From a mere armchair explorer to a
genuine article – people like you give
my life meaning – allow me to suggest
a website for rainy days. Urban
Exploration Resource – I’ve made my
personal playground – it’s great – if
you like old abandoned buildings.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check it out.
and continue to get your kicks . . .
I understand what you meant when you said you couldn’t get enough of the scenery; I can;t get enough of your wonderful pictures!
Ronnie
Thanks Ronnie. We may have gone a little overboard but it sure was fun.
those are great pictures sir! thanks for the share 🙂
Awesome photos! Thanks for sharing . . . definitely makes me want to visit someday 🙂
Work of nature at its best! Love every bit of it!
I am absolutely amazed with these pictures! I would describe this place, Fire and Ice, as a portion of the MIDDLE EARTH. I feel like titans or gods and goddesses are just around — with an invisibility cloak. 🙂
good 🙂
Terrific pictures and a great adventure! Thanks for sharing!
Your photos are breathtaking! My sister just got back from her second trip out West in two years…I am so jealous. I want to go too! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful pictures, but even more wonderful is the reward you received by going off the beaten track. I tend to err on the side of caution, not wanting to be disappointed, but sometimes I guess it’s worth the risk. Thanks for the reminder, and congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Thanks Audrey. It’s true, you never know what kind of adventures are just around the corner!
I understand what you meant when you said you couldn’t get enough of the scenery; I can’t get enough of your wonderful pictures!
Ronnie
Watch your step, please use handrails, is wonderful!
Thanks for posting those great photos with the tidbits of history infused throughout. Great post!
Oh my goodness, that is amazing!!
very excited!
more excited…
http://photosbb.org/travel/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=119&p=158#p158
Amazing pictures! That is the real America! Thought u might like this one too;
Best Regards!
– The Eye
http://theeyeoffaith.com
Spectacular! You must love New Mexico! I had a friend who’s from NM and he was saying there was not much to do but exploring the rocks. Seems to be a lonely existence but he did add the whole town perked up with latest Indiana Jones filming there.
Gorgeous photos! I’d love to head to NM one day.
Beautiful photos! I have always wanted to check out New Mexico, looks like a very unique place with loads of history 🙂
lovely photos! ^^
Lovely pictures and very informative. Thanks.
OMGosh, lovely photos. I have been through Gallup more times than I can count and never stopped there. Now I will have to do that.
Sarah
It is a little off the beaten track, maybe 50 miles outside of Gallup, but definitely a cool detour.
I really appreciate your efforts to blog this post, keep add more posts with more stuff. By Cinimage(http://www.cinimage.org)
Oh wow! Simply “WOW!” Seems like it was one of the best adventures you got there. Superb photos! 🙂
One of many adventures. Definitely check out the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta photos. That was an AMAZING adventure.
Thanks for stopping by Joahna.
Beautiful pictures, reminds me of the places nearby where I live in Egypt. There are a few on our website: http://www.sinai-safari.com. Thank you for your great post, I love deserts so much.
Thanks. I will check out your photos for sure.
Amazing captures….the azure expanse of sky and the imposing rocks ..truly spectacular.
Wow! Your photography of those landscapes is both beautiful and inspiring. You sure got your “kicks on Route 66!”
Wow what a cool location, makes me want to get up and travel if it wasn’t poring with rain out (;
Wonderful post and photos!
(:
Fantastic photos…and I love the elegant graffiti! Congrats on the Fresh Pressing!
Absolutely amazing.
Stunning! Nice adventure.
I really love the picture with the autumn leaves and the rock!
i have fear of the pic #9
this rock fly in the sky!
OMG.. this blog is awesome…. just got in here and I’m really happy to see such a beautiful post with wonderful pics… congrats!
http://deborahpelloni.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/hakuna-matata/
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Deborah. It’s great to share all the stories and photos of my travels.
awesome photos… my favorite is the 1826 signature of a hiker? etched on the stone.. that’s brilliant!
Great pictures, there is alot of hidden tresure in the world if you take the less traveled route
Thanks for sharing these photos of New Mexico! The entire Four Corners region of the country has some awesome views. We live in such a beautiful country–it’s a shame we don’t get out and see more of it that often.
I very much wished to be there on the road with you but unfortunately, beings oceans away I can’t. However those fine photos brought to me the mighty presence of the intricate artworks of mother nature. The petroglyphs and messages beautifully etched into the sandstone in lofty calligraphic tastes do make us wonder whatever man could do with knives and sand stone in the loneliest of places and at the same time make us regret the loss of such fine arts from society. But one thing, including the historical background of the sites would have made the articles memorable since it is a fine language that is used by the traveller-writer.
Love this; now that’s an adventure. Thank you for sharing your breathtaking photos. I appreciate it. 😀
Great photos! The landscape is just amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Wow!
WOW……THE PICTURES ARE AMAZING!!!! Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful. I love how blue the sky is. Thank you for these. Congrats on FP!
How far back do the ruins date? And who built them? Looks like you found an interesting hike for us.
very nice and good…….
Beautiful Photos!! I loved the description!!! I loved it!! 😀
4th, 5th & 6th pictures are amazing!
Absolutely beautiful
colorful pictures, nr #4 is beautiful, but all are amazing! good work!
Amazing place and pictures!!
fabulous. I’m not at all sure about that bridge thingie though. It looked decidedly Raiders of the Lot Ark to me. I loved the ice shot though
Watch Your Step . . . . Walk there so dangerous …..
wow seriously fabulous! i love it ❤
Oh my. I love those photos you have there. Especially that of the rocks. Ice in New Mexico?! That is insane. Magnificent shots and a very great post therefore.
Outstanding photos!
pretty cool! great photos!
great pictures!
nice image>>>>>>>>!!!!!!!
http://www.omnibazar.com/