The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 looms large in New Mexico and Southwest history.
It’s a long, complex, and influential history beyond a single post.
But the Pueblo people could keep the Spanish away for over a decade. During this time, the Pueblo and Diné (Navajo) formed communities, exchanged ideas and culture, and formed a part of New Mexico history between this time and pre-1750.
It is a part of history that is lesser known and makes some ideas still debated in our modern times.
Many structures and images created during this time can still be seen in parts of Northern New Mexico, where we could join our good friends Holly and Dan for the weekend.
But first, we’d enjoy camping along the Colorado/Utah border at a favorite place to start the weekend properly and refreshed.
A light show to bring in the weekend never disappoints.
After finding a new way to the area due to a closed bridge, we met up with our friends and started seeing the first unique and bountiful images.
The images seemed similar, but differed enough from what we had seen in earlier centuries.
And a few are hidden in alcoves or out-of-the-way places not easily spotted.
Some signs give some potential interpretation, but I can’t begin to understand the meaning these centuries later.
Though perhaps some make some easier to understand than others.
Overall, we walk, take in the images, and admire another place of history and culture preserved centuries later.
We made camp, caught up more, and prepared for another day of meandering.
We made our way to a large complex structure that took in the canyons and valleys we had walked the previous day.
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And we saw a structure with the feel of one that overlooked approaches that the Spanish or their allies may take.
We said our goodbyes, made our way out, and followed the older paths out of the desert and back to Utah.
The land abides with the ebb and flow of empires, politics, and whims.
Who knows what we’ll see in the lands we rove four hundred years from now?