Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For scenes of a different sort, head east out of town on Rte. 64, which slices through
verdant fields nourished by the San Juan River—a gift of life to civilizations present and
past that tried to make their homes in this high desert. One not-so-lucky group was the
Anasazis, who lived at Salmon Ruins (just west of Bloomfield) nearly eight centuries ago,
until drought forced them to move away. Still standing as testimony to their fate are the re-
mains of a C-shaped pueblo, with over 200 apartment-like dwellings overlooking a central
plaza, and the Great Kiva, a religious chamber where urgent prayers for water evidently
went unheeded.
Angel Peak, New Mexico
2.
Angel Peak
Angel Peak is easy to spot even from afar: Hulking above a pastel-painted canyon, this
monolith resembles an angel with outstretched wings. You can drive to the peak, and the
nationalrecreationareathatsurroundsit,byturningsouthatBloomfieldontoStateRte.44.
Bear in mind, however, that despite the area's austere beauty, visitor facilities are limited.
Views of Angel Peak and other natural features throughout the region are enhanced by
the crystal-clear air of northern New Mexico. At more than 5,000 feet above sea level, the
airisfreeofsmogandhumidity,makingmountainsseemcloser,theskybluer,andthehues
of the landscape more radiant. For centuries this luminous terrain has cast a spell on un-
suspecting visitors, enchanting everyone from Spanish explorers, whose name for the area
means “Land of Clear Light,” to modern artists such as the celebrated Georgia O'Keeffe.
As the drive continues east on State Rte. 550, it passes a number of fanciful buttes,
mesas, and hoo-doos (mushroom-shaped spires) that lord above the flat terrain. These geo-
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