April 23, 2018
Tswanki (SAN-ka-WEE), a separate section of the Bandelier National Monument was a more primitive hike up to a Mesa. Again we explored cave dwellings and petroglyphs.
Afterward we drove a loop around the entire Monument which included Los Alamos. We thought of you Van and of your fathers contribution to the “secret” Manhattan Project. We got stopped by the patrol in Los Alamos and was given the choice to be searched or take a different route. We chose a different route simply because the search could take hours. I did find the area eerie as evidence of the “secrets” were apparent everywhere.
I spoke earlier of the massive explosion that formed these mountains. The next picture is of the Valles Caldera – the center of that explosion. In a strange way it was inviting and calming.
We drove back to Albuquerque to start our venture west and stayed in an RV Park just behind a casino. Duh!
I think you should pronounce it “Swanky!”