El Morro

My dad came into town for William's blessing and we took him to El Morro National monument on November 6. It is a water hole that never ran dry for hundreds of years so travelers always came their to get water if in the area. The rock along the way to the water is covered with signatures of people that visited there; the earliest dated signature is from the 1600's. Cool!

We did the 2.5 mile hike that goes around the water hole and up to the top of the mountain for a great view of a canyon and past some pueblo ruins. Jason's parents and sister Michelle met us 2/3 of the way on the trail as they came in town for the blessing as well.

Here are some pictures:Walking to the waterhole.
Here is that dependable water. Apparently not from a spring either (at least I think that is what the guidebook said).
Me and William (he is that lump in the carrier) next to one of the carved names.
My kids sure do love hiking.
A lone tree.
My dad and the older kids.
A view from the top.
Emma really did walk most of the way, but my dad decided to carry her here. That made it harder for him to keep his balance though so didn't last too long.
Some more amazing scenery.
The family with Jason's dad Dale. Lori and Michelle went back to see the names carved in the rock. I like how we are a little off center here so you can see what we walked on behind us.
The family with my dad.
A large meeting room or some other large room of the pueblo ruins. Most of the rooms were much much smaller.