Greetings from Bandelier National Monument

I’m studying to become a geologist, and it’s a little hard to explain to people that wandering among rock layers is almost a spiritual experience for me. They’re evidence of Deep Time, expanses of millions, sometimes billions, of years. This is a delightfully mind-boggling concept, and I’m very grateful for the places that have been set aside to inspire Americans and people from around the world. The natural world is our true wealth, and I hope we continue to preserve it, rather than squandering it.

Sincerely,
Emily

Bandelier National Monument

On the slopes of the Jemez Mountains in New Mexico, this monument commemorates the rich cultural history of the American Southwest. Humans have inhabited the canyons and mesas of the Bandelier area for more than 10,000 years. The Ancestral Puebloan people inhabited the region for more than 400 years, and their homes, carved from the rock walls of the Frijoles Canyon, are the primary attraction of the monument. The Bandelier Museum exhibits Ancestral Puebloan artifacts and tells the story of the evolution of the culture. The park also offers 70 miles of rugged trails for hikers of different abilities.

State(s): New Mexico

Established: 1916

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