the wandering chick
...Sante Fe backroads
breath-taking beauty

My first trip into the countryside surrounding Santa Fe was beyond beautiful. The day had started out a bit overcast, but by afternoon, I was out driving the backroads, trying to make up for lost time. There was no definite destination, so any road that looked passable, I took.

They included Highway 45 off of Highway 14 to the south. It's called Bonanza Creek Road, and it traveled several miles until it ran into the I-25 frontage road headed south. That road led to Waldo Canyon Road, but when it became dirt, I turned around. My car isn't high-clearance, so I was hesitant to continue.

From there, I found my way over to Highway 16 west to the Cochiti Lake and the Tent Rocks National Monument.

The day ended with a superb sunset. Sometimes the journey is the destination, and this was one of those days.

Bonanza Creek Road
Bonanza Creek Road
Bonanza Creek Road winds its way eventually to the interstate, but a lot of nice countryside can be viewed along the way.
Bonanza Creek Road
Bonanza Creek Road
Bonanza Creek Road
Bonanza Creek Road
dead tree branches
I see beauty in old trees that are still standing well past their time. This pic was taken on the east frontage road to I-25.
sunflower patch
Taken on Waldo Canyon Road before it became a dirt road.
Red rock alongside road
Red rock at the Interstate 25's Exit 264
Cochiti Lake
Cochiti Lake and Recreation Area
Cochiti Lake dam
Cochiti Dam is one of the ten largest earthfill dams in the United States. It towers 251 feet above the water and stretches five miles to capture the waters of the Santa Fe and Rio Grande Rivers. Its massive wall can be seen for miles. It's located on the reservation of the Pueblo de Cochiti.
Cochiti Lake and dam
nearby mountain range
Cochiti Lake
A nearby mountain range competes with the light of the dying sun.
a play on clouds
countryside
Playing around with the camera and the clouds created this .... mistake?
countryside
This picture and the next two were taken on the Highway 22.
Highway 22 countryside
sunset
sunset
The beauty of the day was topped off with an equally beautiful sunset.
sunset
sunset
sunset
sunset

Also visited on this day was the Tent Rocks Natl Monument. Take a look-see.

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