We arrived at our last stop in Texas, Hueco Tanks State Park right before dark so we set up quickly.
Since it is an archaeological site as well as a state park, there are many rules, including being in the campground with a locked gate by 6:00!  But, since it was fully dark by then, we didn't mind.

Morning view from our campsite.

We had only registered for a couple of nights but after exploring a bit decided to stay a bit longer. Hueco means hollows. These hollows were formed by gas bubbles that were exposed when the mountains were pushed up. These hollows hold water which in the desert is all important. It is  like being in the middle of the desert with many small oases.

Many different Native populations lived here over thousands of years. The walls have thousands of pictographs, many of which are accessible if you are willing to hike. Much of the park though, is accessible only with a guide to prevent vandalism.
In addition, the park is a premier rock climbing site, one of the top 3 in the world. Only 70 hikers and/or rock climbers are allowed in the park each day. And, you must get a pass in order to do so.
So, not wanting to feel left out, we hiked and climbed rocks. We even obtained a map from the office and found and entered a cave on our hands and knees. Luckily, you only had to crawl a short distance before you could stand up. My claustrophobic family will be proud of me. I couldn't have done it in a group but with just Denny and I, I did some deep breathing and conquered my fears! Inside were 8 masks painted on the wall, which were thousands of years old.

We think this guy looks like a hippie with sunglasses.

These were everywhere and we got snagged on them often. Ouch!

We also climbed the “Chain Trail”, so called because there is a chain to help you get up the steepest part. We went thinking if we couldn’t do it we would just climb back down. But, we came, we saw, we conquered!

View from the top, note the chains all the way down.

Rock climbers don’t need no stinking chain (but they also have rock climbing shoes).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also took a guided tour where we saw some amazing pictographs, probably painted in the 1100s-1200s.

This guy was called “puking horse” in spite of the fact that horses are physically unable to vomit.

A god or maybe an alien? We are near Roswell, New Mexico!

Pictographs and modern day graffiti.

Sadly disfigured by graffiti, What are people thinking!

 The only turquoise colored pictograph in the park, believed to have been painted by the Mogollon.