Jo vs. The Volcano

Having spent quite a bit of time in southern New Mexico, I guess I took for granted just how beautiful this state is.  After leaving Amarillo, heading for Colorado, I skirted the corner of New Mexico and took a little detour to swing by a volcano.

Capulin Volcano National Monument, was a cool little stop on my way north.  I stopped at the Welcome Center, and my new National Parks Pass came in handy.  It was about a 2 mile drive up and around to the top.  The air was kind of hazy and there were thunder storms off to the south and west so, although I could see for quite a ways, I can only imagine how much better it would be on a clear day.  Due to the impending rain headed my way I decided to forgo the trail that leads around the rim, and chose to hike down into the middle of the volcano.  It was a nice easy paved trail, with lots of rocks and bushes for snakes and creepy crawly things just waiting to pounce out at me, (well, at least that is what my imagination told me).  If you have ever been to an inactive volcano, that has lain dormant for more than 60,000 years, you will know that although it is very cool, there isn’t much to look at once you are down there, in the center.  It actually looks as if someone backed a truck loaded with black volcanic rock to the edge of a giant hole and dumped it.  I guess I was hoping for more of the movie version which included a hole with hot molten lava and steam escaping from the earths crust. If you are passing through North Eastern New Mexico and see the signs for the volcano, check it out, it was pretty interesting.

P.S.  I hope at least one person gets the title joke…..