Wednesday morning Debbie and I drove out to Acoma Pueblo about an hour West
of Albuquerque. Everyone we know who has been there raves about the spectacular
beauty of its location and all I can say is that words can not do it justice.
The Pueblo is still inhabited by about 30-40 residents who have no electricity, no
running water, no sewage except porta-potties but are dedicated to keeping it alive
as a living, 1,500 year old community. Approximately 3,600 other Acomans live in
towns North of the historic valley and mesa.
Beside the spectacular views, Acoma is famous for having the highest quality and
most innovative yet authentic pottery of any of the New Mexican Pueblos and that
seems to be true. Unfortunately, no photography is allowed of the pottery, residents,
graveyard or interior of the church.
Rather than take the shuttle bus back, I decided to climb several hundred feet down
the hand-hewn cliff trail that the Acoma have used for over a thousand years. Its
been improved in a few places to make it a bit safer for the tourists, but in several
areas it is still a vertical wall with handholds cut into the rock face.
Fun
The Pueblo on top of the Mesa
Pueblo buildings
Your Faithful New Mexican Correspondents
The original Acoma mesa abandoned over 1,000 years ago when a storm destroyed the only path to it fatally trapping some Acomans on the top.
On the trail down (Debbie took the bus)
More photos HERE..
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