Bandelier National Monument

camera-gal
camera-gal
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
5
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Editor Pick

*Bandelier National Monument*

  • September 15, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by camera-gal from Overland Park, Kansas
Bandelier National Park is owned by the National Park Service. You can see Anasazi cliff dwellings, pueblos and cerimonial sites built by them hundreds of years ago. First, stop at the visitors center and explore the small museum they have exhibiting items from the Anasazi Native Americans. A short film is shown telling us how and why we should respect the land where the Anasazi lived so long ago.

Several tours are given throughout the day. The particular tour I went on was wonderful. Our guide was an ancestor of the Anasazi. She told us how vital the water was to them when they lived in Bandelier National Park. I learned that the Yucca plant could be used to wash your clothes or your hair. You can braid it to make shoes. And you can eat it too. She told us two folk tales her grandmother taught her. Then she ground corn with rocks as they used to.

After that, go explore the area. You'll see kivas--ceremonial pits used for worshipping. We saw a burial mound. The most exciting part is climbing to the cliff dwellings and going inside an actual one. It's hot and you'll realize how good it feels to be inside the cool dome.

I strongly caution anyone who has medical problems to try to stay out of the sun. They may not want to walk up the numerous stairs to see the cliff dwellings either. I'm in fairly good shape, but I needed a lot of water and I was out of breath. The altitude will get to you. Take it slow and don't try to do it in the heat of the day.

From journal The Los Alamos Loop

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