We stopped in Eagles Nest, another ski resort town, to reminisce about a motorcycle trip we took on a July 4 long weekend in 2002. We stayed at a campground that was probably the most unkempt place we have ever stayed. It is still there but looks like they may have fixed it up some. Wow, what memories. As we traveled back through the valley we saw some very unusual rock formations and we drove by Mount Baldy where the Boy Scouts have a summer camp. Jeremiah went there with his dad, Gene, when he was 15. They climbed to the top during the days they were there. Today that seems like an awesome experience. This Taos Circle drive is a great day trip. If you are ever in the area we think you would enjoy it.

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.