Petroglyphs, Pueblos, Food and Friends

On Thursday, we went to the Petroglyph National Monument.  The area contains over 20,000 images carved in the volcanic stone.  Archeologists estimate that most of the images were made by Native Americans 400-700 years ago.

 We started with the 3 mile loop in Rinconada canyon. Then, we drove up and did the 1.2 mile loop in Piedras Marcadas Canyon.  It was a beautiful, cool day and made for very pleasant walks.  No one really knows what all these ancient images mean, but we enjoyed the ancient artwork.

 

Yesterday, we went to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

(thanks for the tip Sherry).  It was really fantastic. They had very good exhibits on the history, culture, and artwork of the pueblo peoples of New Mexico.  In addition to their regular exhibits, they had two special exhibits. One from the Smithsonian Institution "Indivisible", which presented stories of African-Naitive Americans. The other special exhibit was called "GRAB".  It was a fabulous photographic exhibit which presented images of "GRAB DAY", which is a tradition of the Laguna Pueblo where food and gifts are thrown from roof tops to the crowd below.   There is also a new film about this tradition.

Stuffed Sopaipilla with Green Chili and Red Chili Enchilada

 

We had lunch at Maria and Tito's.  A local place with pretty good Mexican food.  I am proud of myself, as I have resisted eating mexican 3 times a day.  It has been hard.
Last night, our friend Leisha joined us for dinner and a movie.  We went to see "The Help."  Catherine and I liked the book and thought the movie was very well done.  This weekend, we plan to do the tram ride up to Sandia Peak and probably eat a little more Mexican food :).  See you down the road....