Wetherill
A History of Discovery
New Mexico has the most diverse geologic landscapes of any place on the earth, mountains, lakes, deserts, ancient volcanic activity including lava flows and ash deposits.
The following is a pictorial description of great places to
visit
in New Mexico starting with
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National
Monument formed from an explosive volcanic eruption 6-7 million
years ago that deposited pumice and ash which is the basis of the
tent rock formations.
The "Miraculous Staircase" at the Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe.
Two mysteries surround the spiral staircase in the Loretto
Chapel; the identity of its builder and the physics of the staircase
construction.
When the Loretto Chapel was completed, there was no way to access
the choir loft, 22 feet above. Carpenters were called in to address
the problem but they all concluded access to the loft would have to
be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space
of the small Chapel.
To find a solution to the problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a
novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. Legend says on
the ninth and final day of prayer, a man showed up at the Chapel
with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later the
elegant circular staircase was completed and the carpenter
disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man (an
ad even ran in the local newspaper) and finding no trace of him,
some concluded that he was St. Joseph himself.
The stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent
structure. The design was innovative for the time and some of the
design considerations still perplex experts today.
The staircase has two 360 degree turns and has no visible means of
support. Also, it is said that the staircase was built without nails
-- only wooden pegs. Questions also surround the number of stair
risers compared to the height of the choir loft and about the types
of wood and other materials used in the stairway's construction.
Over the years many have flocked to the Loretto Chapel to see the
Miraculous Staircase. The staircase has been the subject of many
articles, TV specials, and movies including "Unsolved Mysteries" and
the Kraft movie called "The Staircase".
City of Rocks State Park
Formed of volcanic ash 30 million years ago and sculpted by wind and
water into rows of monolithic blocks, City of Rocks State Park takes
its name from these incredible rock formations. Cactus gardens and
hiking trails add to this unique
destination. The rock formations at the park
are so unique that they
are only known to exist in six other
places in the world.
Imaginative visitors may see the rock formations as a small city,
complete with
houses, chimneys, courtyards, and streets.
Until 1200 A.D., Mimbres Indian roamed this area and left arrowheads
and pottery shards as evidence of their culture. Spanish
conquistadors also spent time in the area, carving crosses into the
rocks.
Visitors can see a sampling of southwestern plant and animal. The
park's desert botanical garden is home to cow's tongue and bunny ear
cacti, Yucca, and towering Century plants. Deer, antelope, javelinas,
and jackrabbits are frequently seen in the area, along with over 35
species of birds, ranging from Golden Eagles to finches.
About a half hour's drive south of Farmington, New Mexico on Rte. 371 lies the Bisti Badlands. This is a wilderness area of unique geological formations and a fascinating place for photographers to visit. It is on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land and thus (fortunately) protected from mining or other forms of commercial development.
It's a vast piece of land and along with the nearby De-Na-Zin Wilderness presents a daunting prospect for exploration. There are no trails or maps or facilities and one can wander for days though this bizarre moonscape. A GPS unit is strongly suggested and we found it very handy to have one when trying to find our way back (in the growing dark) to where we'd parked earlier in the day. There are almost no distinguishing landmarks and a good deal of the time you'll be walking through narrow washes with limited visibility.
Bring a GPS and water!
