Our first stop was at the San Ildefonso Pueblo spread among cotton-woods between the rushing Rio Grands and towering Black Mesa. The village is known for its fine pottery, and you can meet the artists who create it.
From there our tour took us to the White Rock Overlook , with its sweeping view of the Rio Grands far below. The scenery was spectacular!
The photo does not do it justice!Continuing on we entered the town of Los Alamos, where World War II's secret Manhattan Project created the first atomic bombs. Closed to the public until 1957, Los Alamos now welcomes visitors eager to learn about its state- of -the -art research at the Bradley Science Museum. The Bradley Museum is free to the public and offers more than 40 high-tech interactive exhibits. There is an excellent time line of events leading up to World War II and the development of the secret project to develop a new weapon, one the derived its power from splitting the atom.
The photo at the left are mock-ups of the bombs named "Little Boy" and "Fat Man"
The Los Alamos National Laboratory is one of the premier scientific institutions in the history of the world. The core mission of the Laboratory is national security. Scientific discovery and technology advances to ensure the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent, reduce the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and counter terrorism. In addition, a broad variety of Lab programs are aimed as solving national problems in the areas of defense, energy, environment, health and infrastructure. A most interesting place.
We then found ourselves at the Bandelier National Monument. Here we found Ancestral Pueblo dwellings scattered across a landscape of broad mesas with steep walled canyons. The main trail (a 1.2 mile loop) in Frijoles Canyon provided access to the remains of ancient
homes, Like the past inhabitants, you can climb ladders into several of the small carved rooms (cavates).There was much more to see and do here but our time was short as the park was about to close. Another day!
That is all for this entry, tomorrow we are off to see the town of Santa Fe.
Until later,
Candy and Johnny
