After the Petrified Forest, we kind of lost the plot a bit. We started what was going to be a couple-hour loop north of the highway to check out the Bisti Badlands, Valley of Dreams, and the massive ruins at the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, all in New Mexico. But, it turns out that nearly the entire drive was on absolutely terrible dirt roads, in some cases nearing the limit of our very capable van. So, a couple hours turned into two days (including the hiking). Luckily, we had filled the gas tank right before we left the pavement. Otherwise we would for sure have been stranded.
But, the places we saw on this long detour were incredible. Mud-drip style towers and formations in the middle of nowhere, and the most impressive ruins I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing (and setting foot in). If you ever have two days to kill in New Mexico and happen to have a Raptor or similar vehicle, I recommend our little side trip.
One of the first formations on the Bisti Wings trail. Murphy was stoked to go hiking some more. Bisti Wings Trail.So much stoke. These formation are all about six feet tall. Scale is strange here. Like giant sandcastles. Up close soil. Alien Throne in the Valley Of Dreams.The Golfball. Jen in the Valley Of Dreams.Mars-style landscape.Nearly round balls. Not sure how. Cross section of the balls. More petrified wood, this time in the Valley Of Dreams.Ruins in Chaco National Park.Up close mortar work on the walls.End of a cross beam used to support a second story. Public gathering area. Half of the most expansive ruin I’ve ever seen.These walls were not messing around. They were about three feet thick. More of the large ruin. A combination of stone and wood supports to put up this multi-story structure. Standing doorway. From the inside. Walls in walls, and floor supports. Some were four stories tall. The inside, plaster on the walls and ceilings/floors of wood. Jen checking out one of the smaller ruins.
