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inance to thick stands of spruces, firs, and aspens that take over the landscape, providing
welcome relief for the eyes.
Did you know…
On the southern slope of the Jemez Mountains is Ponderosa Valley and Vine-
yards, which specializes in estate bottled wines. While sitting on their porch,
visitors can sample the wine while enjoying the breathtaking views.
2.
Jemez Springs
The volcanic forces that forged the Jemez Mountains a million years ago remain active
today—though on a far less violent scale. Hot springs, proof of the underground unrest,
bubble to the surface at Jemez Springs, a peaceful town where in winter puffs of steam rise
like smoke signals into the chilly air, inviting visitors to take a dip.
Two structures of historical note stand on the northern outskirts of town: a long-aban-
doned Indian pueblo and a church erected by Spanish missionaries in 1622. Preserved as
Jemez State Monument, their walls are slowly crumbling as the ravages of time take their
toll.
One of nature's monuments, Soda Dam, in contrast, is being painstakingly enlarged.
The steady accumulation, layer upon layer, of calcium carbonate formed the bizarre barri-
er—a process that continues to this day. Standing about 40 feet high, the marblelike monu-
ment partially blocks the flow of the Jemez River. In addition to the slow crafting of the
dam, hidden volcanic forces make themselves evident in another way: Sulfurous fumes es-
cape from underground chambers, tinging the air with a pungent smell.
This landscape, which inspired painter Georgia O'Keeffe, is typical of the colorful scenery in northern New Mexico.
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