I always enjoy the scenery driving through northern New Mexico, although there never seems to be enough time to stop and explore. Our only reasons for pausing at the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center were that we needed a rest stop and it was time for lunch; but it was a wonderful chance discovery and one that I would love to revisit. The views were beautiful, and we noticed a very tempting trailhead or two leading into the distance. Alas, we only had the time and energy to sit in the shade and eat our sandwiches before continuing on toward Tucumcari.

By complete coincidence, on our homeward journey we stopped for the night in Grants, New Mexico — just across the interstate from the visitor center. You might think we took advantage of this chance to return and check out those trails! And you would be wrong. I can only blame roadtrip fatigue; although we did wander around in the brush behind our hotel for a little while. It seems the more traveling I do, the longer my bucket list grows.