On May 9, we drove to the Jemez (pronounced heh-mez) Mountains. This too was a drive through beautiful, majestic mountains, however quite different than we have been seeing. The Jemez Mountains form the southernmost tip of the Rocky Mountains. The unusual features result from past volcanic activity - there are hot springs, sulphurous vents and a caldera - a ring of hills comprising the remains of several volcanoes. The most recent eruption was 50 to 60,000 years ago. But the hot spring and vents remind us that there is still much heat boiling beneath these mountains. The caldera, Spanish for caldron, is the result of the eruption and collapse of the crown. For more scientific and geological information go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valles_Caldera_National_Preserve.