Home»All Photographs»Our Travels to the South West»Our trip To NM - TX - CO 2015»Our Trip on Day Seven: Hueco: Tanks State Park Reservatioon

We gave Glen a day off and we traveled to Hueco Tanks State Park & Historical Site named for the natural rock basins ("huecos") that store and supply rainwater in this arid region of west Texas. This area has cultural and spiritual importance for many Native Americans including the Mescalero Apache, the Kiowa, Hopi and Pueblo people. Its significance can be seen in the pictographs found throughout the area.

From Archaic hunters of thousands of years ago to recent Mescalero Apaches, Native Americans have painted and carved mythological designs, human and animal figures on the rocks. The site's pictographs include some 200 face designs or "masks" left by the prehistoric Jornada Mogollon culture. Apaches, Kiowas, and earlier Indian groups camped here and left unique pictographs telling of their adventures.

We had the great fortune to be guided by docents Harry and Susan Stone whose knowledge of the rock art made the day an exceptional experience. If you go to Hueco Tanks be sure to call in advance to make arrangements with Park headquarters to see the rock art.