Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is a striking landscape of otherworldly beauty, where nature's artistry is on full display. Located in northern New Mexico, this unique area features cone-shaped rock formations—tent-like spires carved by volcanic eruptions and centuries of wind and water erosion. The hike through the narrow slot canyon feels almost magical, with towering walls that twist and narrow around you before opening up to panoramic views from the top. The soft light, sculpted rock, and quiet stillness give the place a timeless, almost sacred feeling. It’s one of those rare spots where geology, serenity, and wonder all come together. 

Bandelier National Monument is a window into the ancient past, nestled in the canyons and mesas of northern New Mexico. The landscape is a striking mix of rugged cliffs, quiet piñon forests, and soft volcanic tuff shaped by centuries of wind and water. Carved into the canyon walls are the ancestral homes of the Ancestral Pueblo people—cave dwellings, kivas, and stone structures that whisper stories from over 700 years ago. As you hike through Frijoles Canyon, climbing wooden ladders into cliffside alcoves, there’s a quiet reverence in the air. Bandelier isn’t just a beautiful place—it's a sacred one, where history and nature are inseparable and deeply humbling. 

It was a cold, windy day in March when we arrived at White Sands—a truly surreal place. The roads looked as if they'd been cleared with snowplows, but instead of snow, it was fine white gypsum that looks like sand. As a New Englander, I found that both familiar and oddly fascinating. We had fun watching people sled down the bright dunes on plastic sleds—though these two old birds decided to enjoy the view from solid ground. 

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is like stepping into another world—an underground cathedral carved by time. Hidden beneath the rugged desert landscape of southern New Mexico lies a vast labyrinth of limestone chambers, towering stalagmites, delicate stalactites, and shimmering mineral formations. The main cavern, the Big Room, is awe-inspiring in scale—one of the largest underground chambers in North America. As you descend into the earth, the temperature cools, the light dims, and the silence deepens, creating an almost mystical atmosphere. It's a place that leaves you humbled by nature’s quiet power.  My advice is to take the elevator!!

The Rio Grande Gorge near Taos is a dramatic and unexpected sight—an immense chasm carved into the high desert by the slow, steady force of the Rio Grande. Spanning this vast canyon is the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, one of the highest in the U.S., offering breathtaking views of the river winding through the rugged terrain far below. The contrast between the flat, open plateau and the sudden drop of the gorge is striking, almost surreal. Standing on the bridge, with the wind in your face and the sheer depth beneath you, it feels like the land has opened up to reveal something ancient and powerful. It’s a place that stirs both awe and reflection.