New Mexico

Part of the Catwalk National Scenic Trail (see description under nearby photo). Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Along the Catwalk National Scenic Trail (see description under nearby photo). Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Part of the Catwalk National Scenic Trail (see description under nearby photo). Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Petroglyphs at Chaco Culture National Historical Monument. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Around Chaco Culture National Historical Monument. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Around Chaco Culture National Historical Monument. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Around Chaco Culture National Historical Monument. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set. Photos from around Chaco Culture National Historical Monument

Around Chaco Culture National Historical Monument. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set. Photos from around Chaco Culture National Historical Monument

Around Chaco Culture National Historical Monument. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set. Photos from around Chaco Culture National Historical Monument

The primary reason for visiting the Farmington area was to explore the Native American ruins at Chaco Culture National Historical Monument, which is south of Farmington. Getting to the monument requires traveling over a long stretch of graded road (about 16 miles) that has some of the very worst washboard effects that I've ever encountered, but the monument was worth the jarring. Luckily the monument wasn't very heavily visited, so it was easy to spend time pondering the level of development and culture that had resulted in such elaborate and sophisticated structures being built in the area 1000 years ago. Since the daytime temperatures were hovering close to 100 and there is no shade, I didn't get to explore as much of the monument as I would have liked. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Abandoned school built by the WPA in Claunch, New Mexico.

Abandoned school, originally built by the WPA, in Claunch, New Mexico.

Claunch, a very small town on a very desolate road (NM-55) about 45 miles north of Carrizozo. Home to a school built by the WPA (see adjacent photos) Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Claunch school, built by the WPA in the 1930's. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Claunch school, built by the WPA in the 1930's. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Claunch school, built by the WPA in the 1930's. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

The former State theater in downtown Clovis. Per cinematreasures.org the large, vertical, circular column was part of the theater's original design in 1936. The theater no longer shows movies but is apparently still open as a performance space. If I'd known it when driving through, I would have looked for the site of the Norman Petty Recording Studio , where Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings, and Buddy Holly got their starts! Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.

Adding to the surprises, an MCC (Metropolitan Community Church) downtown -- the congregation of most MCC's is predominantly LGBT. Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.