It was sort of surreal to look at these photos again, hard to believe that we were in such a beautiful place just a week ago! I'm so glad that we got a chance to go to Bandelier during our stay in New Mexico.  The site serves as a preservation site of the homes and territory of the ancestral Pueblo people. The contrast of the red rock and white snow created an unforgettable scene as did the knowledge that human presence here has been dated to over 10,000 years ago!! The magnificence was almost dizzying at times as there was so much to take in from every angle. 

Our group gasped in unison when we came upon the hundred year old pictographs on the rock, it's so humbling to see something that has stood the test of time and is a reminder of just how much has come before us. At times I would look around and then close my eyes and try my hardest to imagine it all alive - the hustle and bustle of life that existed in this very space hundreds of years ago... Babies crying and being born, meals being cooked and eaten, stories being told, smiles, hugs and tears. If only walls could talk...

Birdie was such a rockstar too. She was wide eyed the whole way and I could tell she just adored soaking up the scenery. I put a good dollop of balm on both of her chubby little cheeks and we kept her hands inside her down bunting. Because she is such a trooper sometimes it's hard to tell when she's hit her limit but before we were able to reach the highest point in the park my mummy senses were tingling and I could tell we were on the verge of tears. I guessed correctly as a few feet shy of the car we had us a good old-fashioned meltdown. Nothing a bottle, some tunes and a warm car couldn't fix though. So all's well that ends well right?! 

Bandelier certainly scratched my adventure itch for now but I would be lying if I said I'm not already brainstorming our next trip...