Ship Rock and Swim Fins

While in Albuquerque I discovered that the New Mexico motto is "the Land of Enchantment", but the locals call it "the Land of Entrapment" because so many people come there and never leave. That makes perfect sense to me, I can see how that could easily happen. Mt heart was definitely drawn to New Mexico.

The northwest corner of New Mexico is a different planet. The desert there is high and hardscrabble. The people are friendly, and weather beaten. While I was there, they held the Ship Rock marathon for the first time since covid. The marathon is a big deal for the Navajo Nation and its path is 100% on nation land. They turned out big crowds to cheer and to run. It was moving to witness. As the marathon ended, the support crew formed a convoy of rescue vehicles around the final runner to bring him home. One of the EMTs was running along with him, it was very poetic.

There were two reasons to visit this part of New Mexico: 1) Ship Rock itself and 2) the Farmington Aquatic Center.

Ship Rock is the magma chamber of an ancient volcano. The Navajo people call it the "winged rock." In Navajo mythology the giant bird carried the Navajo from the cold northlands to the Four Corners region. I could see the rock jutting out of the desert from ten miles away, it was magical! All the hair on my neck stood up the minute I saw it. Using Rosievan's 4WD I got right underneath the rock and could see the dikes from the magma chamber. It was the most amazing adventure. (The drone picture borrowed from the internet; I may need to get a drone to improve my photo optionality without incurring additional personal risk)

The town of Farmington New Mexico has approximately 45,000 residents. In the winter of 1994, my Dad traveled to New Mexico to build the indoor pools and aquatic park for the Farmington Aquatic Center. Almost 30 years later I visited the complex and was delighted to find it in good repair and VERY active. There were easily 100 people there one Saturday afternoon. The three attendants behind the desk were busy registering people, reserving spots for birthday parties, and filling classes. The squeals from the kids in the pool, and on the water slide, were heartwarming evidence of my Dad's skill and diligence. What a lovely gift for me to get to see his legacy in action!

Next stop, California!