This morning, Sat., July 21, ‘07, I left home early and went thru Española, about 30 miles north of Santa Fe, around 7:30 AM. Early enuf to stop at a likely cafe and have a hefty plate of Huevos Rancheros (Mexican style eggs with tortillas) for breakfast. Good stuff. Then, across the Rio Grande onto the highway to Chama, NM………..

A few miles further, approaching the small town of Abiquiu, (pronounce it “Abi-cue”) I got a good look at the Chama River, a major tributary of the Rio Grande. To my eyes, maybe the Rio Grande should be called a tributary of the Chama, since it looks bigger to me than the Rio Grande above the confluence………..

Up past Abiquiu Reservoir toward Ghost Ranch, in Georgia O’Keefe’s country……….

The colors are beautiful, and I saw several canyons that should make some wonderful hikes sometime in the future………..

I went about ½ mile past the turnoff to the Chama River Road, to see Echo Amphitheatre…………

This was so majestic, I stopped to take a series of shots to make a panoramic view. You should be able to scroll this from side to side to see the whole thing………..

Back toward Abiquiu now, to the small bridge, and the turn onto State Road 151, the Chama River Road, that leads to the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. Right away the scenery upholds my choice. Ahead is the beginning of the Chama Canyon………….

There are flowers everywhere, such as this (I think) sunflower, complete with bug. There were many of these - some up to 6 ft tall with 4″ - 5″ blooms………….

The country is getting higher and more rugged, and the river more turbulent. On my way back down, a little later in the day, I saw several kayakers and rafters in the river, and more coming up the road. That would hafta be a great way to spend a day…………

In addition to rafters and all, other people were marching to their own beat, and this looked like a great way to spend a day, too………….

Now, about 10 miles in, almost to the Monastery and the end of the road, a muddy creek joins the main stream and begins to mix. Note the neat home at center right. I believe this is rental housing owned by the Monastery…………..

Onto the Monastery grounds………..

Welcoming me to the grounds were bouquets of flowers…………

………and a tiny 4″ or 5″ lizard who was convinced that his camoflage prevented me from seeing him. (It IS pretty good) He never moved a muscle, even when the camera was within 2 feet of him…………

The Monastery. Above it, I’m told, are great hiking trails that take you up into a really wild canyon that’s seldom visited, and famous for its’ beauty. Another time, Lar……..not enuf time today………………..

And, tho’ this is a religious retreat, and not of interest to me, they show clearly that they are progressive, and up with the times…………

Starting back downstream I saw many clumps of white flowers, much like a tiny Morning Glory, but not on a vine, and only about an inch across…………

And, of course, a closer look. It’s about the size of my thumbnail………….

Farther down the road, a large, budding cactus caught my eye and I jumped out of the Diesel Dodge for some pics. A movement caught my eye, and I saw this little guy trying to sneak out of sight behind a bud. It’s about 3/8″ long. Don’t know what flavor of critter it is, but its’ camoflage is perty good, too………….

This is an easy one day trip from Santa Fe, with plenty of time for sightseeing, breakfast and lunch.

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Posted: October 17th, 2007 under 07-7-21 Monastery in the Desert, 08 New Mexico.
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