Salinas Pueblo Mission - Abo'

This is the kind of signage that I can appreciate.  Very persuasive, too!

Our crew had been laid low with some mysterious flu for a week after New Year's.  We'd spent our time inside sleeping and being sick and sleeping.  Restless to get the gang moving, I made our first foray out to the

nearest ruin:  The Salinas Pueblo Mission in Abo'.

Hundreds of years ago, the area was a vibrant trading community of Native American Puebloans.  In the 17th century, Spanish Fransciscans came to the area for their missionary.  This particular mission was built in 1629.  Contrast that with events going on the east coast:  the Mayflower had landed at Plymouth Rock just nine years earlier.  The continent was being discovered by non-natives and change, for better or worse, was afoot.

Within 50 years, the community was deserted by both Native Americans and Spanish.  A combination of drought, disease, warring tribes and Spanish spelled the end to the community.

In this Pueblo culture, the men did the weaving and cooking while the women built the homes.  As a result, this church and area pueblos were built by the women and children. 

I tried to imagine us building the church.
Nope, couldn't do it.

Our History Major suggested that perhaps this was
where they kept the microwave.

The outing was short, but well worthwhile.  The sun was shining and the sky was bright blue.

Not everyone was 100% better, and it wasn't long before it became clear it was time to head home for more rest and recuperation.