Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico

We just arrived at Almongordo, New Mexico after a long drive from Cortez. I'm pooped but tomorrow I'll finish this post. We're going to White Sands National Monument tomorrow instead of Carlsbad Caverns and the other 2 national parks.

OK. It's Friday, Aug 4th and I have a few minutes to blog on yesterday and today. I'm getting tired...I do all the driving and I'm tired by the end of the day with taking the kids to the parks and drive. At least tomorrow is the weekend and Scott can help with the kids more.

So, Aztec Ruins National Monument was VERY interesting. They have a great parking area and easy RV access for 6 RVs so don't be afraid to drive right to the visitor's center. It is just a mile off the main road, so very accessible. The center and museum looks just like a typical New Mexican southwest style architecture and was very well organized, simplified and the staff very friendly. The ranger was very well versed in the park and could answer everyone's questions to a tee.

Aztec Ruins National Monument Visitor's Center

Cierra and Hunter are ready to go inside.

The main info center.

The bookstore

A section of the museum with .beautiful artifacts

The kids were also able to participate in the Aztec Ruins Junior Ranger program as well. I like they way they do their program. They have 6 different 1 page handouts for the junior levels (elementary school) and an advanced program for junior high and older students. After we saw all of the museum and watching movie we all went outside to view the buildings.

Reviewing her requirements

Hunter is checking out the lizard design in the pottery.

Hunter loved the interactive computer.

Museum

The monument is in beautiful condition! The "ruins" are just outside the back door of the visitors center and very easy to maneuver. They have a cement path to follow. Be sure to take a trail book that you can borrow from the visitor's center that explains all the ruins. The reason that I quote "ruins" is that to the Hopi and Zuni tribes, descendants of these ruins feel that the spirit of their ancestors still reside in the ruins - that they are still alive to their people.

Starting our hike to see the ruins

Hand stonework...it must have taken MANY years to build this place!

Tiered structures

We were also able to go inside the Great Kiva. I think they said the roof alone was 8,000 pounds. Seeing it from a 3D view of what a real Kiva would have looked like gave it great perspective. I couldn't believe the beautiful condition of this building was in. The Great Kiva is being painstakingly renovated to it's original and some of the building are being repaired as well.

Inside the Great Kiva

Upstairs in the Kiva

We were also lucky enough to go in and out of the rooms. Some of these ruins were 3 stories high! It was very impressive for building built between 850 AD to 1200 AD. The workmanship was fabulous. There is also a great map of the area.

Walking from room to room. The doorways are thick but very short...even for me!

Standing in a room

All the rooms looked into a center section

Another interesting thing we learned during the movie is that the north wall aligns itself with the path of the sun during the summer solstice. Here is a photo of that wall...very straight compared the some of the other structures.

The north wall

Very straight!

The door of the west wall with the north wall on the left.

Hunter was able to do his own research this time except for a we worked on together. When he finished he went up to the ranger and took his oath on his own.

Hunter is getting his work checked over by the ranger.

Taking his oath

Receiving his badge

High 5! Good job, Hunter!

Cierra's handout was a bit more complex but she did a great job. She even went and watching the 15 minute movie presentation twice just so she could answer everything correctly.