Santa Fe to Cortez

Day 11, - Santa Fe to Cortez 258 miles.

Had a quick stop at Walmart in the morning before getting onto Highway 84 and travelling north, driving through quite a few Native American lands (different tribes).  At this stage of our journey we left Route 66 for a while and will rejoin later. Stopped at Abiquiu which was established on abandoned Indian Pueblo and became settlement for Spaniards and Genizaros (Hispanicized Indians).  Called into Abiquiu Dam then continued onto Echo Amphitheatre in Carson National Forrest.  The Highway took us through the National Forrest which provided fantastic scenery with different coloured rocks on each side of the road.

First stop at Walmart for the essentials, Hels made me put it back on the shelf! 

Our morning tea stop at Abiquiu

Abiquiu Dam

Scenic section of the Highway

Interesting colours in the rock escarpment 

Carson National Forest

What are we driving into??

Drove through Chama which was beautiful with different coloured trees on each side of the road and snow covered mountains. Even snowed for a minute!  Crossed border into Colorado then turned onto Highway 60 travelling west. Stopped for lunch on side of the road and had snow again!  Passed Chimney Rock and many huge Ranches with elaborate Gateways.

Main Street of Chama

Stopped on the side of the road for lunch, getting quite cool and can see the snow capped mountains.

Drove through Durango and arrived at our RV Park Cortez/Mesa Verde around 4pm.  Thoroughly enjoyed this drive with fantastic scenery, sunshine, rain and snow!  Turned the heater on as temperature was down to 1 degrees at night!!

Our view from the RV Park at Cortez looking back at the Range

Our RV Park at Cortez