Desert Grave, Chisos Mtns., Santa Elena Canyon

A Desert Grave

The grave site of Nina Hannolds

Nina Hannolds read to children on this bluff overlooking
a spring with cottonwood trees around it.
Now it is mostly desert with mountains in the distance.
This is where she wanted to be buried.

The Chisos Mountains in the distance.

Various cacti covering the desert floor.

The Chisos Mountains

Driving into the Chisos Mountains

The Window

Looking through "the window" one can see the desert floor below.

The hike to look through the window is about 2.5 miles.
It is not too difficult a hike but even in winter the hiker
must take lots of water.

Terrain near the trail head to The Window

Visiting the Santa Elena Canyon

Santa Elena Canyon from about a mile away

(double click on the images to enlarge them)

Rio Grande looking eastward.
The cliffs to the right are Mexico territory.

On the edge of the Rio Grande looking into the canyon.

Santa Elena Canyon
The Rio Grande as it empties out of the canyon.

Cliffs on the right are in Texas/US; on the left is Mexico.
There is a trail along the Texas side of the cliffs that leads into the canyon.

Above are people walking up the trail & into the canyon.

Information about the Santa Elena

Rio Grande near Taos, NM

On a pretty October afternoon we rode along the Rio Grande just south of Taos. The river winds through the gorge in this area and is lovely to see. The ride between Taos and Sante Fe is one of our favorite drives.

Looking south along the Rio Grande

Autumn foliage

Looking north along the Rio Grande

West rim of the gorge

East rim of the gorge

Looking down along the river

Dogs playing in the Rio Grande