Boca Negra Canyon provides easy access for visitors who want to view petroglyphs and other interesting geologic and cultural features up close. Three developed trails take visitors on self-guiding tours ranging from 5 minutes to 30 minutes round trip. Water, restrooms and picnic tables were available. (The two RV Gypsies only did the two easy trails)

Lee and Karen Duquette made a stop at the Visitor Center to get a map and brochure of the Boca Negra Canyon and while there, they learned about hornos from an outdoor display (read the history of hornos and see a photo of one below)

The first permanent Spanish settlement brought new foods and cooking methods to the region in the late 1500s. Wheat became an important staple because it was easier than corn for making bread.

Pueblo men learned to harvest wheat while the women were taught to build hornos; beehive-shaped ovens used for bread-baking (see photo below). Fusing mortar, rocks or adobe bricks are layered in a circular shape over a stone base. An arched doorway is created in front and a small hole is formed for a vent. The hornos are plastered inside and out with adobe mud. Today, Pueblo people continue the proud tradition of baking bread in their hornos, as they have done for centuries.

Below: The two RV Gypsies on the trail at Boca Negra Canyon to see the petroglyphs.

Below: These rocks are NOT for climbing on nor around. There is a path that lead the way from one petroglyph to another. Most of these petroglyphs were photographed with a zoom lens so Karen Duquette did NOT need to get close to them.

Below: Lee Duquette is thankful he does NOT have to climb over any rocks - thanks to the easy path that leads the way from one petroglyph to another, and the zoom lens on the camera for photos.

Below: Karen Duquette made it to the top of the cliff

Next, Lee and Karen Duquette walked the Macaw Trail that is on ground level at the base of the cliff. It was a 5-minute walk.

Below: The two RV Gypsies watched a roadrunner catch a lizard.

Menu for the two RV Gypsies Adventures
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
You may visit the other three sites in any order you choose.
(The main travel buttons are also at the very bottom of this page)

Sandia Peak Aerial Tram

Puye Cliff Dwelling

Boca Negra Canyon and; Petroglyphs
(this page)

Pajarito Plateau
and Rio Grande Valley

After you have seen all of the above,

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