Saturday and Sunday in NM

Our first out of state stop was at the New Mexico visitor center which has been completely rebuilt since we were last here.

Next we stopped at the Blue Hole, a spring flowing 3,000 gallons per minute.

Grandma was unsuccessful at borrowing a wet suit to dive in the Blue Hole. There was a big crowd of divers here taking lessons in the spring water.

After lots of cactus, mesquite, and sage brush we crossed the continental divide about half way between Albuquerque and Farmington.

Soon we had our first view of Dzil Na' Oodilii mesa. The church where we will be working is not far from the base of this mountain. The Navajo pastor said it is easier to pronounce Dzil Na' Oodilii than to say omnipotent!

There is a housing complex and public school near the mountain.

Sunday morning before church we visited Aztec National Monument just up the road from Farmington. This site gives insight into the life style of the Pueblo Indians about 800 to 1000 years ago.

They lived in multi-storied structures.

Here is Will inside one of the many rooms.

The sacred ceremonial room called a Kiva was built underground with only ladders to come down for access. Here you can see steps that have been added for tourists. The only light comes in through the smoke hole in the roof and small windows around the edge.

Here is a page from the Navajo Hymnal. Click on the picture to enlarge and look at those words!