Have you ever been surprised with a weekend getaway? This winter, Meghan and Joe surprised me with a weekend getaway to some of the historic ruins of the Southwest in New Mexico and Colorado.
After Meghan broke her arm and had surgery in February, I went out to Colorado for two and half weeks to help out before deciding to bring the boys back to Ohio for a few weeks longer. We had planned to spend spring break with the kids at Walt Disney World, and I thought Dennis and I could handle the boys for the two weeks leading up to vacation. Of course, Covid-19 opened, and that plan fell apart. The boys ended up staying a little longer, but now they are back home in Denver.
As may of you know, I have a goal to visit all 50 states. At the beginning of the year, I still needed to visit North Dakota, New Mexico, Texas (the airport doesn’t count), Oklahoma, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. On my last weekend in Denver, Meg and Joe decided they would surprise me with a road trip to one of my bucket list states–New Mexico. We had three days to drive and explore since Joe didn’t need to be back at work until Tuesday.
Exploring the Ancient Ruins of New Mexico and Colorado
Weekend Road Trip
Denver to Santa Fe is is 400 miles, roughly a five and half hour drive without stops. With three adults, a four-year-old, an eight-month-old, and a dachshund, it takes a bit longer. Packing up and getting out of the apartment was the hard part. Then we needed to stop at Walmart for food, snacks, formula, and diapers. We definitely didn’t have all the items on my road trip essentials list, but I was just along for the ride.
Saturday
Santa Fe
After driving for most of Saturday, we arrived in Santa Fe around 5 p.m. We walked around old Santa Fe, admiring the architecture and shopping. We saw San Miguel Church, the oldest church structure in the U.SA. The original adobe walls and altar date from approximately 1610 A.D. I loved the little hidden courtyards and plazas in Old Santa Fe. This is a town that I’d love to come back to with Dennis.
Sunday
Bandelier National Monument
On Sunday, we headed out to Bandelier National Monument. If you enjoy history and learning about ancient peoples, then New Mexico must be on your bucket list. Bandelier National Monument in Frijoles Canyon was my first introduction to the Ancestral Puebloan peoples and their culture. Exploring the ruins of ancient kivas, walled gardens, cavates carved into the cliffsides was really interesting. J.R. and Joe climbed up into several of the dwellings, but one was enough for me.
After visiting Bandelier, we drove through the Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Jemez Mountains, heading toward the Giesewatowa Pueblo in Jemez Springs.
Jimez Historic Site
The ancient ruins of the Gisewatowa Pueblo at the Jimez State Monument in Jemez Springs were really interesting. The roofed kiwa there is intact, and Joe, J.R., and I climbed down into it. We walked through the ruins of the 700 year old village, and visited the ruins of the 17th century Spanish mission church. This site is much more compact than the other national sites we visited, and is perfect for a first visit or one where you have limited time.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
After leaving Jimez Springs, we headed up Route 550 toward Nageezi and Chaco Culture National Historical Park, arriving about an hour before closing. This park is literally in the middle of nowhere. You can only access it by dirt roads, but it is definitely worth the hassle. Chaco Canyon was the center of the Ancient Chacoan world encompassing portions of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico and has dwellings dating back to at least 850 A.D. If you can only visit one of the ancient ruins of the Southwest, this would be my pick. It’s a beautiful area, and I wish we would have had more time here. I’d love to return one day and take one of the ranger-led tours.
Monday
Mesa Verde National Park
After spending the night in Durango, Colorado, on Monday morning we headed home via Mesa Verde National Park. I’ve wanted to visit Mesa Verde since Meghan read about it in 3rd grade. However, it was nothing like I had pictured–it was so much more!
We visited on March 2, so much of the park was still closed for the winter. The drive up the mountain was a little scary (I was glad Joe was driving) and took nearly an hour. However, the views more than made up for the drive. Since it was winter, the trails down into the canyon were closed, but even seeing the ruins from a distance made the trip worth it. The cliff dwellings, especially Spruce Tree House, were so impressive.
Driving Home
After leaving Mesa Verde around 3 p.m., we headed back to Denver, taking the long way through the mountains. Unfortunately, it got dark, and I didn’t see much of the scenery. We arrived back in Denver late at night, but it was a great trip.
Final Thoughts on Visiting the Ruins of the Southwest
The ruins of the Southwest in New Mexico and Southwestern Colorado are so interesting. When I return, I’d love to have more time to spend at each site so that I can explore them in-depth. I’d also like to research the area and the ancient people so that it’s easier to understand what I’m looking at. We saw so much in such a short time and it only whetted my appetite for more.
Have you been to any of these sites? Are there others that we should explore next time? Any tips?
This looks incredible!! I’ve never even thought about taking a trip to the Southwest before this. Thank you so much!
This looks like such a fun and educational trip for the family! Will definitely be adding to my bucket list!
What a great location to visit we have family in CO so I need to add this to our must see list next time we are out there.
That looks really beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us.
This is truly historical and informational, not everyone know this. I would organize a trip for myself and family to visit.
Awww I want to travel! so so hard right now with all borders shut. Thanks for showing us local x
Wow! I’ve never been to these places. Mesa Verde looks beautiful!
I love to go around, explore and visit and this site contains everything I love!
That looks really beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us.
Great post.
So interesting. There are so many fascinating places on this globe. Thanks for sharing.
Wow this looks like an amazing trip for sure. New Mexico looks really varied and cool. Perfect travel inspiration x
I have never visited Colorado or New Mexico. Arizona is next on my travel bucket list at the moment. I’m wanting to go hiking in the Superstition Mountains.
Beautiful! This is going on our travel list!
What an amazing trip – wish we could visit places again to explore such beautiful places!
wow! looks so very interesting! I would love to visit it one day too
Wow! These are fantastic. I love ancient ruins and you’ve just added a whole bunch to my list for my next visit to USA.
This looks so amazing! All of it! Keeping this in mind if we do a cross-country road trip!
I have an uncle who lives in Arizona and I am going to share this with him as he might enjoy a trip to New Mexico!
Now this is the travel that I want. Looking forward to the day that I can visit that place out. 🙂
You had a great travel experience. More trips to come!
Thanks for sharing, it looks like the kids have great learning opportunities from your trips.
I love this area of the States! We visited Mesa Verde a couple of years ago, it was incredible. I would love to visit the other spots you included in your (whirlwind!) weekend one day :). Amazing history.
I miss traveling. Your post makes me excited!
This sounds like a wonderful trip – and what a great learning experience for kids! We’ve been skiing in Breckinridge and fell in love with Colorado. I’d love to also see these spots in CO & NM.
Sounds like a super fun road trip!! I haven’t been to the sites in NM or CO but have been to Pueblos in Arizona that we’re outta this world cool. I’ve also been past the Painted Desert which was amazing.
Thanks for sharing your travels with us 😄
Exploring ruins in the southwest is something I always tell people that are going on road trips! Mesa Verde National Park is one of my favorites and I have been the multiple times.
I’ve been wanting to take a cross-country trip, this has me adding CO and NM to my list of stops! Thanks!
That looks like a wondrous place to visit someday. I should add this on my next travel destination.
I love that part of the country so much but haven’t had the chance to vist New Mexico yet though I hear it is beautiful. I’ve always wanted to go to Santa Fe. Mesa Verde national park and the cliff dwellings look pretty amazing.I wouldn’t have ever thought of Colorado for ancient ruins but it makes sense based on the history of the land.
I’m so into this trip! I love exploring ruins, and it’s so cool that you guys got the chance to enjoy this time together and to learn so much about New Mexico and Colorado.
Wow! The place looks so beautiful and awesome. Should I include that in my bucket list?
It was fascinating. I didn’t know about any of the sites except Mesa Verde, and I’m so happy the kids thought to introduce me to them.
I have not been to any of these sites, but the ruins look fantastic and so different to anything you’d find here in Europe. As a child, I was fascinated with New Mexico after reading a great story set in that area, so it has been on my bucket list ever since. After meeting so many amazing Americans and hearing about their locations, I think another trip to the US is definitely on the cards for me in the future.