Before we go anywhere Garrett has to smell just as good as Dad :)
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This morning we headed out to get haircuts for Tim and Garrett and to take a drive to see the countryside. While they were getting haircuts Tim's mom went next door to Walgreens. While she was in there she stroke up a conversation with a gentlemen who suggested that we go visit Chaco Canyon National Monument today instead. So after lunch we plugged the information into the GPS and headed out. So PSA don't use your GPS while in back country......we got lost and had to stop at the one gas station we could find in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully the woman who owned it was really nice and gave us a map to show us where we needed to go. We finally made it to the dirt road and turned down it. That road was almost an adventure in itself. We were bouncing all over the place and Garrett was laughing hysterically. He loved it (Shhhh don't tell but I enjoyed it as well)!! On the way back we checked how many miles and it was 20 miles on that dirt road.
Along our route we saw this steer statue up on a rock. I'm not sure what the symbolism is, so if someone knows please share with us.
Woohoo, we finally see the sign for Chaco and the Visitor Center.
Walking into the visitor center with dad.
Grandma heading to the visitor center desk to see if they have the Junior Ranger program for Garrett's age. They did and we picked up a pamphlet. We got there too late so next time we come we will be doing the pamphlet and turning it in so he can get his badge. Now that he is old enough we will be doing the Junior Ranger program to every National Park/Monument we go to. Our plan is to get a large piece of felt and put all his badges on it so we can hang it in his bedroom. So much to learn and see in this great country of ours!!
Headed out of the visitor center and we were waiting on Tim to get the camera ready so I was taking some pictures of Garrett and Grandma Sutton. It was so cute how she was fixing his hat :)
While we were waiting for Tim a woman who is actually part of this tribe came up and began talking with us. It's amazing to think that her family built these and lived on this land so many years ago. Definitely gave us some great tips and it was so interesting talking with her. I love how friendly everyone here is.
Our view at the Visitor Center
First stop was the Fajada Butte View. So pretty!!
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There were several hikes we could go on, but being that this is Garrett's first hike and it was 96 degrees out we decided to do the one that was approximately 3/4 of a mile long. So Chetro Ketl was the area we decided to hike.
Hiking down our trail.
While we were walking a Lizard came out to walk along with us :) Garrett thought it was awesome!!
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We finally got to the buildings and it was interesting to try to figure out what each one was for and how they lived in those so long ago.
Garrett of course loved looking in all of the windows to see if he could find anything cool :)
We then walked down the Petroglyph Trail for a little ways. It's so neat to think that these were done by people so long ago as ways of communicating.
Taking a break from the sun! The shade felt really good!!
Tim was pointing something out in the distance.
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Grandma was also showing Garrett the different things.
Garrett looking on the map to see where our next stop will be.
Next time we come we will be doing this hike, but will wait till Fall when it is cooler out. This one is over 2 miles long, but the buildings will be neat to see!!
Our future photographer :)
What Garrett was trying to get a picture of.
We stopped by the visitors center again on the way out, and this bird was so close!! You can definitely tell he's used to people.....
We finally headed out and decided to stop for Dinner at the famous Hotel El Rancho in Gallup. This is the hotel where all the old famous people would come.
Ordering our dinner. One main thing that is very different here than out East. Everything is spicy, and you rarely get mild anything which includes the chips and salsa. So Garrett and I shared some Guac because that salsa was HOT!!
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Our meal was very good, and we walked around the hotel after we were done. My dad would have loved this place. All of the old western stars, I had to take a picture of John Wayne....he was one of my dad's favorites!!
We all had a GREAT day!! But boy were we tired when we got home :) Little man hit the pillow and was out!! I love these kinds of days........