Kasha-Katuwe

We spent the last few hours of our New Mexico adventure visiting the Tent Rocks National Park. We climbed to the peak of this small rock formation weathered into conical shapes by time and wind. For the Native Americans that named them, maybe the Kasha-Katuwe was a sort of natural Lightning Field evoking a spiritual experience in those lucky enough to have passed through. They say New Mexico is a New-Agey sort of place...whether it's spirits of long-gone Native Americans or visionary artists from the modern era...it was all pretty cool.  And the pie was a bonus!

  

PieTown

Who could resist stopping to eat pie in PieTown? Not us.

Sunrise over Quemado

Karen and Kevin are the first to rise and experience sunrise over the Lightning Field.  Eventually we all rise and shine, survey the effects of the storm, enjoy our last few hours of the field and, of course, touch the poles.

















































































































































Before we head off, Richard strikes a pose with the Art Girls.

















If you'd like to visit the Lightning Field click here:
http://www.diaart.org/sites/page/56/137

Home on the Range

We watched the sun set over the beautiful New Mexico landscape and Walter De Maria's Lightning Field. How did he conceive of this amazing idea? How long did he search for exactly this spot? How to explain this experience to someone who hasn't been here? It was all so bizarre for us city folk to be out here, alone and isolated and yet sharing this experience together as one. As the rain raged on, we settled in for the night, playing cards and hearing the critters scurry under the cabin. How lucky we are.


 

Waiting for Weather (or Drinking in the Rain)

We amused ourselves awhile, walking the field, playing games and drinking, and then some clouds started to roll in and we bagan to do a rain dance. Then the heavens opened up and the magic happened.  (Good thing we brought those rain slickers!)

 












































































Sun, Rain, Lightning and a Rainbow. What more could we ask for?

400 Poles, One Mile x One Kilometer, and a Log Cabin

After driving another hour with Robert (the DIA version of the Marlboro man) we finally see the cabin and the Lightning Field in the distance. He dropped us off with a platter of enchiladas, told us not to touch the poles, and said he'd pick us up tomorrow. At that he drove off in a wake of dust. We set out to picking bedrooms, getting used to the quiet, the critters, and walking the field...and then pouring drinks.

 

Road Trip

Picking up provisions then heading out through the red rock in search of the town of Quemado - population 491. Our instructions are to take I-25 West to Exit 89, continue on Route 117 South to Quemado and look for the white building.  Can't miss it!

Say it isn't so!!!

Note to self - must investigate pie town!

We're Here!  The only white building in town.

We Are Not Cowboys

In an attempt to fit in, we thought to investigate cowboy hats at O'Farrell's Hat Shop. Seeing this contraption, Kevin got his head measured while the rest of us tried to find the perfect cowboy hat. After trying on almost every hat in the store, we realized that we're not going to fool anyone and left to find a bar instead - something we city slickers know about.