By Motorcycle – Another National Monument: The Salinas Pueblo Missions

This past Tuesday, Oct. 11, I went to breakfast with the motorcycle group I ride with. We meet regularly for breakfast, and while we may ride, sometimes, due to weather or other time commitments we don’t. We had an unusually large group at breakfast to sign a get-well card for a member who had emergency heart surgery.

A couple from Poland joined us; Billy Goolsby lent them a bike.

Our new Pollish friends stand with Billy Goolsby on the left.

After breakfast, a ride to the ruins of the Salinas Pueblo Missions was proposed, and nine of us went. We had met in the far north end of Albuquerque, so we had to travel a bit to get out of town. When we did, we had another 55 miles to go. It was a beautiful day, sunny, but not too hot. I hadn’t anticipated that we might ride somewhere, or that I’d need my camera, so I hadn’t brought it. And my phone died after two photos.

BREAKFAST FIRST

At the entrance to Quarai

POSING WITH OUR BIKES

But, never fear, I’ve been to the Pueblo Missions there before, so I have a lot of photos that I’m happy to repost. We went south on 14 from Tijeras to Quarai Ruins, then to Mountainair to Shaffer’s Cafe for lunch. We then went west on 60 and stopped at the Abó Mission. From there we came back through Belen and Los Lunas to Albuquerque. As always, to see the photos full size, click on a photo, then arrow your way through.

QUARAI

ABÓ

GRAN QUIVIRA

AND, FINALLY, HERE IS INFORMATION FROM THE BROCHURE: