The Salt Missions Trail and the Turquoise Trail

We went day tripping again today, starting with the Salt Missions Trail. Basically, the Spaniards wanted to take over the lucrative and vital salt trade that flourished south of present day Albuquerque. To achieve that end they sent priests into the area to convert the indigenous population to save them for the Church and, coincidentally, take over the salt trade. There are currently the remains of 3 churches which were built in the early 1600's in this area. They have become known as the Salt Mission churches.

We only took the time to visit the Abo' ruins. What you are seeing in the picture are the actual ruins, not a reconstruction. Pretty good masonry work to last almost 400 years, so far, eh?

The back wall is about 50 feet high. This was a big church!

While I was waiting for MMG to begin the walking tour, this little purple flower asked to have its picture taken:



You can find a much better detailed description of the Salt Missions Trail here.

The Salt Missions Trail ends and connects with the Turquoise Trial which goes by several Turquoise mines which the indigenous native population has been working for hundreds of years. There are no tours or even a display with any detailed information. DDG has concluded that the main purpose of the Turquoise Trail is to lure tourists to the several extraction locations disguised as small towns along the way.

Fortunately, one of the side trips from the Trail leads to the Sandia Crest. The Sandia mountains are a range that stretch from north to south along the east side of Albuquerque. Sandi Crest is the tallest of the peaks, coming in at 10,678 feet, bout 5,400 feet higher than Albuquerque.

Needless to say, the view from the top is awesome. Also needless to say is that there's just no way to get a good picture of it. Still, one must try:

See? That's Albuquerque about 1 mile down there.

Another try.

Let's try the other side (east). The snow caps are about 30 miles away.

View to the north and why we didn't stay long. Car alarms and remote entry system don't work up here!

Why our picnic lunch plans had to be changed. 48 degrees! Brrrr!

We found a little area with no snow, no wind, and a table in the sunshine for a nice lunch setting, then headed home to do the laundry and get ready to go up the road tomorrow.

MMG and DDG