Day 9~ Happy Birthday Atlin/Aztec Ruins,New Mexico

This morning we woke to find the rain just pouring from the sky...the smell was amazing. Reminded me alot of Skagway after it rained. That smell will always be engraved into my memory long after alzheimers kicks in. It was beautiful but it ruined our car. We recently had a new windshield put in and somehow the rain seeped through a cracked seam and shorted out the fan for our heating/cooling system. WE have been using the old fashioned way of cooling...opening the window, for heating..wearing a jacket. Fun times!
The boys were both sworn in as deputy rangers at the ruins...now Atlin can legally tell us not to climb on the ancient walls. We still won't listen to him; but we won't touch the walls either.

Logan receiving the light.

Logan and Atlin in a long row of doorways that led to different rooms in the ruins. Some of these rooms were used for burials, storage or even living quarters. I don't think I would want to live in the room next to the one that grandpa was buried in. But, to each his own.

Aztec ruins restored for us to enjoy and appreciate today. We didn't even mind being out in the drizzle to experiance and learn about these mystical people.

Today Atlin woke up to a birthday spent in the Best Western in Durango, CO. He opened presents during the continental breakfast (love those) and we sang happy birthday to him over his Eggo waffles. A couple of other guests in the hotel joined in too.

Here he is becoming "enlightened" in a spiritual kiva of the ancient aztec people. It was really cool how the light just appeared so brightly from the hole in the roof when it had been raining all morning. It turned out to be a beautiful day. Rain or shine, we love it!