Adventure #2: Bernalillo, NM

We headed north this weekend to the town of Bernalillo for another camping adventure. It's not far from home but it's an area we don't often go to for recreation.

We decided to check out the Coronado State Monument. It features ruins from the Kuaua pueblo. Every time I go to visit ruins like this I learn something new. This time I was struck by the fact that the people used to enter their homes from the roof. This allowed the homes to be built without doors to maintain privacy and cleanliness. Did I mention that the homes at this particular pueblo were believed to be 2-3 stories high? I wonder how this worked for small children. How about six small children?

The kids liked this replica room.
We also headed to the bosque of the Rio Grande for a walk.
This backdrop never gets old.
Daddy gets a break from picture duty to be featured in one.
Mark gave the girls a lesson on skipping stones. My super strong and talented husband can not only skip stones but was able to throw a stone all the way across the Rio Grande.
Back at camp, we spent time reading from the Little House on the Prairie series.
As always, Harrison is content just being surrounded by his adoring fans. He's learning that a toy or two isn't bad either.
To end our weekend we headed to the group camping area. We failed to notice that our site didn't have a grill or fire pit until we were a day in. Not to be deterred from this hallmark camping experience, Mark packed the camp chairs and a box of wood and we headed for the group area WITH a fire pit. He made a small fire and I started assembling s'mores. The girls took turns roasting marshmallows. We told stories of marshmallow shampoo. And the kids, all but Madelyn that is, turned up their noses at the yummy, gooey treats citing their stickiness as a problem. They were all much happier back in the warm van with clean hands and a 'raw' marshmallow for dessert.

Little do they know but we're going to try again next month!