14. Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico

I arrived at the Petroglyph NM Visitor Center around 3:45 p.m. This site was also a little disappointing. There are three hiking areas along volcanic flows where petroglyph can be viewed. The best one has a paved walkway but it was closed for repaving. The second one was located further north and I was told that it too late to visit. The third location is Rinconada Canyon, shown in the photo above. Rinconada Canyon is located on the west side of Albuquerque, near residential homes and a heavily trafficked road. As one walks up the sandy wash along the steep slope, the noise of the city fades away but there are other reminders of recent human activities. The slope at one time was used as a backstop for target shooters and there are a lot of broken pieces of glass and other items littering the ground. Also, many of the petroglyphs were used as targets and are the scars of bullets. The worse thing was the warning at the visitor center that there have been vehicle break-ins. Although I covered all my stuff with clothes and a sleeping bag, I was paranoid that someone would break into my car.

I ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque and then traveled eastbound on Interstate 40 to a rest stop where I spent the night.