A Tale of Two Seasons: Pecos National Historical Park 5/16/09

Winter or Early Spring can be a dodgy time to travel, but we as hearty souls (as long as the heater works and we don't have to hike too much) will always take the chance to experience the scenery in different ways. We first visited Pecos NHP in May of 2009, where unusually low temperatures made our visit a windy adventure. Situated approximately 30 miles NE of Santa Fe, NM lies the small town of Pecos. Blink and you'll miss it, but a worthwhile site lies just 8 short miles off Highway 25.

In the small visitor center, an ancient film does well at explaining the ruins site and the people that lived there in the 14th century......if you could see it. Narrated by Greer Garson (who lived on a nearby ranch which might explain this....but hell...Greer Garson? What,  was John Wilkes Booth not available? It's THAT old) This "film" looked as though it were made in the 1950's  and had more scratches than Birth of a Nation. Always a pity......It seems as though the sites with the most private interest are willing to get the newer films in place. A little money would make Pecos come alive before you step outside on the Ruins Trail.

The Ruins Trail is a short, relatively simple, meandering trail to the site of a once massive 104-room abode. Kivas abound and the ruins are well preserved. In the 1500's, Spaniards entered the scene, and demanded a large church be built in their attempt to convert the Natives to Christianity by establishing a mission in the area. When the first burned to the ground......they built another. The Spaniards were hearty souls (who obviously could not take a hint). The mission ruin is lovely, and stands so tall that one can easily spot it when driving from Santa Fe on I-25 North.

Segueing into Winter 2010.....after visiting Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains and Chamizal, we had heard that snow had blanketed the Glorieta Pass and decided that we would make the trip to Pecos again. It was a brilliant idea on our part, and the site took on a whole new perspective.

The Ruins Trail was a skating rink. Ice and packed snow covered the length, making walking difficult. But the views!! To see the ruins covered in white made visualizing the hardships of the Native Americans forging through winters palpable.

The mission, however, was glorious. The snow kissed the adobe walls perfectly and made for one of my favorite travel photos ever.

Visiting National Park sites in winter isn't always as hospitable as our blue sky suggests above, but we walked away invigorated. Pecos was seen in a different light, and gave us the curiosity to perhaps travel more in the winter.

FINAL RATING

7/10