Taking the backroads not only avoids a lot of traffic, but it also takes you to spots you might not otherwise encounter. Looking for a spot to stop to make a sandwich for lunch during our journey south through New Mexico, we saw signs for the Gran Quivira Ruins, which are part of the San Salinas Missions National Monument. Perfect.

After grabbing a bite, we enjoyed wandering around the ruins and imaging what life might have been like here before plague and environmental conditions ushered both the Native Americans and missionary Spaniards out of the area.

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