Rocks, Rocks, and More Rocks

On Friday Nate didn't have work and Lilly was out of school so we decided to go explore (again) and go to a couple places that we didn't get the opportunity to go to when we were here before.

We started off by going to the Three Rivers Petroglyph site which is out in the middle of nowhere..the way we like it.  Anywho, there are over 21,000 identified petroglyphs  drawn on rocks strewn on top of a hill.  It was a challenge for Nate to hike up considering he was hauling around a 30lb grumpy toddler on his back up the hill and around/over rocks but we still had a great time searching for and looking at the glyphs.  It always amazes me how important history and record keeping has been and still is to civilization.  Here are a few of my favorite glyphs.

 I thought this one resembled the IF temple a bit.  Interesting

 some dude

 Mask

 Ram that has been killed with arrows.

Lunch break.

After having a little lunch, we drove a bit more to The Valley of Fires.  This is a large lava flow that was created about 5,000  yrs ago when Little Black peak erupted.  The lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. The lava flow is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States.  It was very reminiscent of Craters of the Moon National Monument.  We walked around the trail and saw a lot of beautiful desert plant-life.  Lilly loved the Valley of Fires because she is so interested in rocks.  It was a nice little hike, especially for Nate since the trail was paved and he didn't have to lug around Carter.  

 Carter taking the lead.  He was a little excited about getting to 'hike' on his own.

 future geologist?

Checking out the view

It was a nice day and as always, we had a lot of fun hanging out together as a family and enjoying the outdoors.  I'm sure glad New Mexico has so much explore.