It’s about 20 miles from El Malpais to El Morro. It’s a nice drive along Hwy 53, two-lanes with not much traffic. We climb a little in elevation and get into some timber. I make a mental note to look for an entry onto BLM land here, and almost as soon as we are in the timber we are heading back down out of it. Dang!
El Morro, famous as a wayside and the Blue Pool that provided water to travelers in the 1800s and prior, is an interesting place. Travelers left messages for others on the sandstone cliffs known as Inscription Rock inscribing said messages or just a “I was here” with whatever was available to them: a knife, a stick, perhaps an eating utensil.
Talking with the friendly staff in the visitor’s center I find The Chiweenie Brothers are welcome to take the walking tour with me. Come on Boys let’s check this out!
An easy interesting walk, a walk around the rock would be nice, but it’s getting hot. We continue the loop that takes us back to the visitor’s center. The Boys eagerly jump into the back and slurp up fresh water. “Refreshed guys? Let’s go check out the campground!”
El Morro National Monument has a small free campground with water, a vault toilet, tables, and fire rings. The few choice shaded spots are all occupied. We try staying a bit in one of the sunnier spots but after just a few minutes it is apparent that it will be too hot to stay here long enough for the sun to get low enough to make it bearable.
Sadly, we will not be making the walk around El Morro’s perimeter, and we head back out to Hwy 53 and search for a spot back where the pine trees and juniper make an appearance. Fortunately we find a lovely well-shaded spot to park for the rest of the day and stay the night here. It’s quiet and peaceful behind a closed gate.
August 23rd — It’s our Vanniversary!! We’ve been traveling for two years, and what a wonderful two years it has been! So many beautiful places, so many wonderful experiences. And a big THANK YOU to all of you have come along for the ride. Yes, this is my personal journal of our adventures, but how nice to have you all come along with us. Again, THANK YOU! Hugs, Shawna
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Your pictures are beautiful. It is too bad the weather was hot. Maybe you (we) could revisit El Morro some spring or fall. Sylvia
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Thank you! And would love to go back. Let’s make a plan after the holidays!
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Thank you for sharing your journeys with us…Where to next???? It is warm here too during the day but a fire feels good at night…’Spose to be 29 degrees tonight!
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Stay warm!! Next up a coyote, wild horses, and an explosion … After a false start at Bluewater Lake.
Thanks for coming along!
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