Day Trip to Acoma

On a previous visit, Mom had said something about visiting Acoma Sky City on the Acoma Pueblo about an hour west of Albuquerque. We didn't have time on that trip to go so before she came on Tuesday, I suggested she pack appropriate shoes to walk around out there and we'd make the trek out there. Paul wanted to go with us on our "field trip" as he doesn't remember ever having gone but unfortunately, he wasn't able to get away from work. I'd gone once before as a chaperone on a school field trip. I know I missed a good portion since I was trying to herd middle school children so I was excited to go this time.

All the photos are courtesy of my mom. A photo permit is required while on the reservation and we opted to just get one. We went on Friday morning and had wonderful weather. It was windy earlier this week but thankfully, it was just a breeze out at Acoma. As you can see in the pictures, I don't think there was a cloud in the sky.

There was a great article in the May 2008 Smithsonian magazine about the Acoma Pueblo. It gives a great overview of the history of the pueblo, much of which was also covered on the tour. (There are also some comments below from various people that are worthwhile additions to the article.)

Rock formations on the the drive to the visitor's center:
The San Esteban del Rey Mission, a Catholic church on the mesa. Construction was begun in 1629. All the dirt for the cemetery at the church was brought up by the women and children (the cemetery is to the left of the church but isn't in the picture).
The bell tower on the church. The bell on the left was from Mexico and the bell on the right was a gift from the King of Spain (I believe) after construction was finished.
Ladders at the main kiva. The tops of the ladders are pointed to "pierce the clouds" in hopes of bringing rain. It was mentioned several times on the tour that the Acoma have a variety of beliefs about bringing rain to the region.
The "Enchanted Mesa" on the Acoma Pueblo.
Checking out the horno oven, traditionally used to fire pottery (although the guide mentioned that they aren't used as frequently for this anymore) and for cooking purposes.
One of the houses made with adobe bricks. The houses range from being made from sandstone, adobe, and modern materials (cinderblocks and stucco).
Looking up from part of the ancient stairway--the path originally used by the Acoma to get to the top of the mesa.
Heading down the ancient stairs--there are handholds in the rocks and some of the steps have been "improved" with larger rocks and concrete.
Mom near the bottom of the stairs.
Looking back toward the mesa from the visitor's center. We had lunch at the cafe there and Mom had fry bread for the first time. That's some good stuff.
At the overlook on the drive to Acoma Sky City.
A self-portrait.
We were back in Albuquerque by about 2:00 so it was a nice half-day trip and a nice reprieve from all that shopping. (OK, it's not like we were tearing it up shopping--just picking up a few things for our upcoming trip to England and doing some window shopping.)