Abo Ruins

10:41 a.m.
After our hike to the top of El Cerro Tome, and our exploration of the petroglyphs there, our next stop was the Abo Ruins, part of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. We spoke with the Ranger there in the small Visitor Center, bought a couple of trail guides, and then headed out to explore the ruins. There is drinking water and restrooms as this location.

The ruins are quite impressive, especially the mission. We toured the whole site, including the unexcavated ruins. Most of the paths through the site are paved.

11:42 a.m.
By the time we finished walking through the Abo Ruins it was really windy. We were just about the only visitors at this time. It seems that most just stop to view the old mission buildings, then head out.

From Abo we headed east toward the town of Mountainair to see if there was someplace to get some lunch.

Mountainair

11:59 a.m.
In Mountainair we had lunch at the Historic Shafer Hotel and Dining Room. It is a big open space with rustic tables, a Navajo style ceiling and chandeliers, and basic food, like burgers and fries. But the food was good and it was kind of fun to stop in there. On the way out we walked through the lobby of the old hotel. That was interesting as well. And outside, along the road, there is an interesting concrete fence with all sorts of stones and ornaments imbedded in it. The main Visitor Center for the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is also located in Mountainair.

Gran Quivira Ruins

1:17 p.m.
From Mountainair we drove south to the Gran Quivira Unit of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. This is the largest of the three units, and quite impressive. It also is different in that the stones used to build the pueblo are more of a gray to whitish color, where the other two units were built with more reddish rocks. Another point is the number of dwelling spaces that are visible here, across the top of the hill. The mission is also impressive in its size and construction.

2:24 p.m.
We finished up with Gran Quivira. Pretty neat and amazing. A little like a large Tuzigoot or Wupatki. There is drinking water and modern restrooms at the Visitor Center.

Quarai Ruins

3:05 p.m.
From Gran Quivira we headed back north, through Mountainair once again, and on north to the Quarai Ruins. This location is not as large as the other two, but the mission is very tall. The wind was quite strong, and it kicked up lots of gritty sand into our faces. But it was well worth the visit. Most of the pueblo has not been excavated here, so the mission is the main feature. There is also a pleasant walk through the trees on the way back to the visitor center. There is drinking water and modern restrooms. Again, as was the case at both Abo and Gran Quivira, we were practically the only people visiting the site. That makes for a pleasant afternoon.

3:47 p.m.
When we finished with Quarai it was 84 degrees, and very windy, with clear skies. From there we headed back north to Albuquerque.