Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Leah and I got an early start (more on that later). We got back to the hotel in time to wake up Catherine and Ian and catch a breakfast. We then drove about an hour north and east from Socorro to visit the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument - a string of 3 Pueblo settlements with some Spanish Missions.

First was Abo. We had the place to ourselves, even the visitor center was closed.

Next up was Quirai. There was a nice overlook with snow-covered mountains in the background.

Afterwards we did Gran Quiriva. We went back the way we came to have a nice lunch in Mountainair at the Shaffer Hotel. All in all, it was a nice day tracking down some sites that I passed on my way to White Sands that I wanted to more fully explore. Mission accomplished.

Now to the early start. Socorro is about an hour from the Very Large Array, which I have been past several times now. I knew it was a dark sky location and we wouldn't have to contend with moonlight washing out the stars.

So we loaded up and made the drive. As in my previous trip, it was COLD. We left Socorro at about 40*F and it was 21*F at the VLA.

Cheers,

Marc