Enchanting ruins less than two hours south of ABQ ("National" write-off)
Written: Aug 30 '01 (Updated Aug 30 '01)
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Pros: The history behind the missions and Pueblos adds to their beauty.
Cons: Way off the beaten path; not good for small children.
The Bottom Line: History, scenery, a lovely drive; this is a place I would love to see again, and would not hesitate to take friends and family.
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| toby_baldwin's Full Review: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument |
During the three years I lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I found the same phenomenon as when I was stationed in Germany for four years: people are often too complacent to get out and see the beauty around them. My wife and I tried to get out and see the sights of New Mexico as much as we could, including our favorite the Acoma Pueblo ("Sky City")--I would have written about that had there been an Epinions listing for it--and the also wonderful Salinas National Monument. We were told about this by our friends who lived in Belen (Belen is 30 to 45 minutes south of ABQ; the three sites are within 30 to 45 minutes of Belen).
BACKSTORY
Our book called "New Mexico's Best" calls the monument the "best place to witness a (sic) historic culture clash." That's an apt description. Each of the three sites, the Gran Quivira, Abo, and Quarai, includes ruins of both the Spanish mission that was built in the early 17th century and the Native American pueblo that was there long before (the Natives were akin to the Anasazi, or "Ancient Ones"). The official web site (http://www.nps.gov/sapu/) gives the full history of the sites, as well as directions to, details about, and photographs of all three sites, so I won't get too lengthy in my own rambling. Suffice it to say that this monument is a striking example of one culture trying to force itself on another. The Spaniards came initially seeking riches they never found, but after that dream failed, the missions kept on for a while. A combination of the Spanish invasion, raiding by the Apache people, horrible draught caused by shifts in the geography, and epidemics (probably also started by the European invasion) caused these three sites to be abandoned sometime between 1677 and 1680 (the sources vary slightly on the exact date).
SERVICES
We received wonderful assistance and reading materials (I think there was a nominal fee) from the people who worked at the monuments. The guides told us what each part of the ruins was thought to have been. My only possible "con" in this category is that the place isn't set up for small children, and we had a baby with us. I'd recommend not taking small children; it gets a little hot (though it is a dry heat, not nasty like here in Texas), and kids older than ours may not find the history interesting.
"WOW" FACTOR
These sites are quite spectacular and set against the lovely backdrop of New Mexico in the Manzano Mountain area. Gran Quivira was the largest overall, but is more eroded, so takes a little more imagination to picture what it would have been in its heyday. Some of the walls are still quite high in Quarai and Abo. We went on a weekday when there weren't many people around, and I loved being able to soak in the feeling of the place without a lot of activity around me. If you've ever visited ruins, whether in the American Southwest or in Europe, you know the reverent feeling those places give you; it's a perspective one doesn't get often in daily life. And unlike the Alamo, these are not now surrounded by a city, making it easier to visualize their former glory.
ACCESSIBILITY
That brings up another slight inconvenience of the monument; you have to do an hour to an hour and a half of driving to get around to all three sites, and the roads are not well traveled (like I said, there haven't been water sources in these places for a long time, and they are very sparsely inhabited). I would only go in a reliable vehicle and, although I don't own a cell phone (if you can believe that), I would want one if going back there. If your car broke down, it could take a long while for someone to happen along. The drive is very nice, though, with the desolate beauty of New Mexico all around you. The monuments are centered out of Mountainair, which is one of the neatest little towns I've ever seen (and I've seen quite a few). Many of the signs are intact from the 1950s. Between that, the location, and the interesting blend of cultures, I can't imagine a better place to go on a day trip. I meant to go back just to visit the town, but alas, between work and school and the baby, we ran out of time to do everything we wanted.
BOTTOM LINE
I'm not the kind that has to stop for every historical marker, but the history of this place made a huge impression on me. History buffs will be ecstatic. I also recommend it for anyone who appreciates the lonely beauty of the less-inhabited corners of New Mexico. A visit to this place will show you why it's known as the Land of Enchantment. By all means, please visit the official government website for this national monument (http://www.nps.gov/sapu/) and get a glimpse for yourself.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you get a chance to go there!
This is written for oakraider1's "National" write-off. Please visit his profile page and/or look up the following to read their entries:
oakraider1
claydunn1598
toby_baldwin
quasar
Mom2TyZick
brainyblond
salaigne
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Couples
Review Topic: Overview
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Epinions.com ID:
toby_baldwin
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Member: Toby Baldwin
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 8 members
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