El Malpais National Conservation Area

El Malpais National Conservation Area is a stunning area to visit. It's an area filled with lava flows and sandstone bluffs. The Ventana Arch is a natural arch that is really beautiful. We had hoped to hike right up to the arch but the trail is closed to protect "the natural resources". Then we headed out to the sandstone bluffs. These bluffs overlook a 100+ foot drop to the lava flows. Ron made me very nervous as he scrambled around to get some great pictures. He said there were some natural holes that were as large as a hot tub. I imagine that after a summer rain there are probably people who take a dip to cool off.

"Contact" and VLA

Ron and I wanted to see where Girls Camp was going to be this year (it starts next Tuesday and I'm not ready!). We were told to drive south on I-25 to Socorro and turn west. As I looked at the map, I realized that we were going to be really close to the Very Large Array (VLA).

Now those of you who have seen "Contact" with Jodie Foster will remember these radio antennas. They are located about 50 miles from Socorro in the Plains of San Augustin. The area is surrounded by mountains which keeps other radio frequencies from interferring with these VLA. The 27 antennas are in a y-shaped formation. Each antenna is 82 feet in diameter! The walking tour takes you right up under one of the antenna and it was amazing.