Last Friday, on our road trip through central New Mexico, we had just left Carrizozo when we came upon the Valley of Fires Recreation Area. We had never heard of it, and so it was a surprise to see this vast field of black twisted lava rock. We stopped for pictures, but I only got these two and they really don't show the size of this area, which is 45 miles long. Volcano experts believe that the eruptions which resulted in this huge lava field happened 1000-1500 years ago.
There is a campsite at the recreation area, but I cannot imagine staying there. Other than the yucca growing everywhere among the black rocks, I found the whole place gloomy and dark and depressing. Hence, I only got two pictures and really don't care if I ever see the place again, and would NEVER camp there. *UGH*
