Aztec Ruins and arches

Aztec Ruins is a NPS site in Aztec, New Mexico. It has nothing to do with the ancient Aztec Culture. It is a complex community in terms of the architecture, c.1200 AD. The first two photos are the exterior and interior of one of the Kivas. Earl Morris the archaeologist who did the first excavations in the early 20th century reconstructed the Kiva in the late 1930s. It does have the look of a WPA project of that time but it is interesting.

 

 One of the attractions according to the town of Aztec is quite a few natural rock arches. Thanks to the natural gas industry which has cut road everywhere to access their wells which outnumber people in NW New Mexico, the arches can be viewed. Following brochure directions, on unmarked washboard roads you drive 6.2 miles, turn right on the road you find(wheel ruts) drive 3.45 miles turn at the gas well, drive 600 yards, park and hike 17 miles northeast. OK, I exaggerate but do watch out for trucks off side roads that do not bother looking.



Finally, back at Aztec ruins is Sammy the guard squirrel. He took a break from chasing the love of his life to have his photo taken.