We decided to do some sightseeing today. We drove to the Petroglyph National Monument. The visitor center was just down I-40, but we wanted to go to Boca Negra Canyon, which was farther north. Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sties in North America with symbols carved onto rocks by American Indians and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. The monument was established in 1990 on the Albuquerque West Mesa and is cooperatively managed by the City of ABQ Open Space Division and the National Park Service.
Surveys have confirmed the presence of more than 20,000 petroglyphs along the volcanic escarpment. When the American Indian Tribes left Mesa Verde, this is where many of them moved during the drought in 1275-1300.
Boca Negra Canyon contains only 4% of all the petroglyphs found in the monument, but the trails are designed to offer good examples and are a relatively easy walk.
The entrance to the canyon was located behind a Jiffy Lube! We parked the car, and since dogs are allowed, we took them along for the 1.5 mile walk. Here are some of the many petroglyphs we were able to see. 
I know the Petroglyphs are historic, and they are extremely interesting. I assume that they meant something to the artist, but I keep thinking that maybe, just maybe, they were bored teenagers who spent their spare time doing historic graffiti in the 1300’s!
The walk was not bad for us, but the dogs had a hard time. Black dogs in the bright sun. They became very hot,, even with us stopping to give them water. So we cut our walk short and took them back to the car. Roxie was so funny, she would walk to each little scrub-brush, and sit in the shade. Then try to get Bob to carry her. She acted like a little kid! It was really funny….
It was past lunch time, so we stopped at a McDonalds for lunch. We drove over to the visitor center, and I went in and stamped out NP passport.
We took the dogs back to the motor home, and drove down Rt. 66. Our RV Park is on a part of Rt. 66, and instead of driving in I-40, we drove down through town on old Rt. 66.
There were quite a few old strip type motels, most of them closed. We crossed the Rio Grande River, into Old Town ABQ.
Our first stop was in a courtyard in front of the visitor center where this gentleman was performing.
The center of Old Town. 
Old Town is located around this square. To the left is the church. 
Here is the inside of the church.
While in Old Town we bought a couple of magnets for the refrigerator and a Balloon Fiesta mobile for the front of the motor home.
We next went to a gas station where we paid $3.09 for gas! Then drove around looking for a small, nic-nak shelf at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. We have an indoor-outdoor thermometer, and needed some place to put it. We finally found a small decorative piece of wood and Bob is going to make the shelf.
We stopped for dinner at Garduno’s Margarita Factory. The food was good and the pineapple margarita was great!
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