Previous _Scenic Trips to the Geologic Past_ have emphasized scenic
tours of local areas in New Mexico. This book lays out a mosaic of facts
and fancies concerning the state’s landscapes, the rocks that underlie
and make up the landscapes, and the history of the people now living or
who have lived amid New Mexico’s exciting and varied scenery. We hope
these short articles will help you enjoy our state, whether you are a
tourist driving through at seventy miles an hour, a visitor with a
little time to explore, or an old-timer who remembers the cattle drives.
The idea for this publication grew out of a booklet, _New Mexico Mosaic
of Science and History_, that was written for the 1963 National Science
Fair-International held in Albuquerque. The National Science Fair
booklet was directed specifically to the Fair participants and
emphasized their tours to famous scientific installations in New Mexico,
areas of scenic geologic wonders, and points of historic and archeologic
importance. The booklet had only limited distribution; subsequent
interest in this kind of publication about New Mexico led to the
preparation of this book.
Scenic Trips No. 8 is in two major parts. First, there are articles of
general statewide interest to acquaint visitor and resident alike with
the Land of Enchantment—its history, flora and fauna, geology, and
scenic beauty. Second, there are articles describing specific scenic,
geologic, historic, and recreational places to give a depth of
understanding and a more intimate view of New Mexico. The entire mosaic
of New Mexico thus presented is a permanent record to recall vistas of
New Mexico’s enchanting land and fascinating history.