Fort Union

A couple of weeks ago we went on a day trip to Fort Union National Monument, located about 95 miles by road northeast of Santa Fe.  Fort Union is located near the intersection of the Mountain and Cimarron Branches of the Santa Fe Trail and was the largest 19th century military fort in the region (U.S. National Park Service).

There were three separate forts at the site, constructed during the forty years the United State Army used it as an outpost.  The majority of the site consists of the second of the three forts, with ruins of the third still visible.

There is a path that runs in a roughly circular pattern around the site, which is typically walked in a clockwise direction.  One of the first things you come across are the remnants of officer's quarters.  Most of the walls are gone, but there remains numerous chimneys in varying states of decay.

Further along the trail are the ruins of the storehouses, the walls of which are largely intact.  The windows of the storehouses were perfectly aligned - it was this looking through the window, through the window, through the window, perspective that caught my eye.

Next to the storehouses was the mechanics corral.  This area held several wagons, and since wagons have become one of my favorite "old west" things to photograph, I spent some time trying different compositions and perspectives.

On the way out of the mechanics corral, looking back, I stopped to grab a few wider shots of the area...

Fort Union was integral in protecting commerce on the Santa Fe Trail, staging ground for Union troops protecting the territory from the Confederacy during the Civil War, and defender of the southwest during the mid to late 1800s.  I wouldn't consider it a "destination" locale, but definitely worth working into your itinerary if you're in the area...

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 10-24 DX
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Interiors

Lately I've tried to bring my camera along whenever I head out the door, trying to bring it into roadside tourist traps, antique stores, wherever, in case something catches my eye.  I've found that these places hold numerous opportunities for interesting photographs - the low light, light pouring through windows, filtered through layers of dust and aged glass, angled light creating shadows, bouncing off the walls and mirrors, falling on a variety of brightly colored kitsch, antiques with textured features, aged wood, clutter and dust...

An antique store in Las Vegas, where the light coming in from a dirty window caught my eye...

Casa Grande Trading Post and Petting Zoo in Los Cerrillos, with the glowing bottles and dirty window...

A roadside tourist trap in Taos, with its corner of mirrors capturing, bouncing, repeating reflections...

A store in Santa Fe, with the beam of light coming through the window, illuminating the brightly colored blankets...

And another photo from a later stop at the Casa Grande Trading Post and Petting Zoo in Los Cerrillos, where the cacophony of antiques, aged wood, and shadows are both intriguing and overwhelming at the same time...

Nikon D7000, lens (top to bottom) Nikkor 18-55 DX, Nikkor 10-24 DX, Nikkor 18-55 DX, Nikkor 18-55 DX, Nikkor 18-55 DX

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Abiquiu

Last February was the first time I really visited New Mexico (I drove through New Mexico in the fall of 1986, but I don’t remember any details, since we were on the Interstate and just trying to make good time on the way to our final destination).  It was a short visit, staying in Santa Fe for a couple of days, but it was long enough for Santa Fe quickly to end up on the short list of “places we want to move to when we leave Alaska.”  Ultimately, Santa Fe rose to the top of the list, and we moved here in the end of last June…  

During that first visit to Santa Fe we drove up to the Abiquiu area, and I soon fell in love with the area, much as Georgia O’Keeffe did when she first visited the area back in 1934. I've been to the area over a half a dozen times now, and each time I find something different to explore and photograph.  

Just before the town of Abiquiu is the turn off to Plaza Blanca (“the White Place”).  This is an area Georgia O’Keefe painted on numerous occasions…

Dar al Islam, an Islamic education center, is located near Plaza Blanca; in fact, Plaza Blanca is located on land owned by the center, who graciously allow people access to the area, free of charge.  They also allow you to stroll the grounds of the center, and once I took the time to do just that. I found myself fascinated by the doors and windows of the main building (a reoccurring theme since I moved to Santa Fe).

Up the road is Abiquiu Lake, a reservoir formed by damning the Rio Chama River.  Usually the lake is just something I drive by and glance at on the way to Ghost Ranch, but on this particular day the reflection of the nearby mountains in the water was so striking that I had to pull over and take a few shots... 

Ghost Ranch is where Georgia O'Keeffe eventually settled in 1940.  She said of Ghost Ranch and Northern New Mexico: "Such a beautiful, untouched lonely feeling place, such a fine part of what I call the 'Faraway'. It is a place I have painted before . . . even now I must do it again" (Wikipedia).  This is a shot taken near Ghost Ranch, which lies on the other side of this ridge...

About four miles up the road from Ghost Ranch is Echo Amphitheater, a small park with a short trail that leads to a spectacular natural amphitheater...

Much like Georgia O'Keeffe I find myself drawn to this area, for I am always drawn in by its natural beauty...

Nikon D7000, lens (from top to bottom) Nikkor 10-24 DX, Nikkor 18-55 DX, Nikkor18-55 DX, Nikkor 18-55 DX, Nikkor 10.5 Fisheye

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Bandelier National Monument

This past weekend we finally made it to Bandelier National Monument.  Located about 44 miles by road from Santa Fe, the main attractions are the ancestral dwellings and other things of archaeological significance left behind by the Puebloan people, that are located in Frijoles Canyon.

We started by walking along the Main Loop Trail, which runs along the right hand side of the canyon as you leave the visitors' center.  After a short distance you can climb some short sets of stairs and then some small ladders to check out some cavates, alcoves carved by the Puebloan peoples in the soft volcanic rock (Wikipedia).

One of these is large enough that, once inside, you can stand comfortably and look around.  Of note was the ceiling, still blackened by ancient campfires.

After crossing the creek that runs through the canyon, we headed up the Alcove House Trail, which goes up the canyon another half mile.    

At the end of the Alcove House Trail you can make the 140 foot climb to the Alcove House, via four wooden ladders and some stairs.  From the alcove there is a spectacular view of the canyon, and it's not hard to imagine that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for anyone to sneak up on the people who were living there.

The roundtrip from the visitor's center to the Alcove House and back is about 2.25 miles, and - with frequent stops to look around and take photos - took around 2.5 hours.  Definitely worth the time (and effort to get up the stairs to the Alcove House), time I would definitely spend again...

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 18-55 DX

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