Front Row Seats Greeting Cards
Front Row Seats
Photo Taken: October 15, 2021
Location: Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu New Mexico
Photo by: Karen Butts
The view looking south from Ghost Ranch is expansive. The big flat top mountain is Pedernal, elevation 9,862’ and 20 miles as the bird flies. The ranch itself sits at 6,200’. Ghost Ranch is an education and retreat center owned by the Presbyterian Church – everyone is welcome. Dozens of classes are offered year-round, including silversmithing, pottery, weaving, painting, writing workshops and yoga. The ranch hosts weddings, family reunions and conferences. Day visitors come to enjoy a variety of hikes, educational tours and trail rides.
Take in the view knowing that Ghost Ranch has a rich history, native people have lived in this area for at least 10,000 years, the Spanish arrived in northern New Mexico in the late 1500’s. Geologic forces have played a key role in the development of the colorful, towering cliffs surrounding Ghost Ranch. The oldest, deepest geologic layers hold fossil remains of Triassic dinosaurs from 215 million years ago. The Jemez mountains were formed much more recently, with volcanic activity, beginning 13 million years ago – the most recent activity being just 1.25 Mya. Cerro Pedernal’s unique shape is the result of stratigraphic flows and seismic activity which occurred as recently as 3 – 8 million years ago.
Its a lot to take in but you have a front row seat – so sit back and enjoy the show.
