This village is not on the Jemez Reservation, and is famous (at least in New Mexico) for it's hot springs. You won't find all the frills of high-end spa resorts, but the clear, hot water and the beautiful landscape at Giggling Springs makes for an enjoyable, relaxing vacation. I learned from the helpful staff that the hot spring water in Jemez Springs is ancient sea water that comes from below the Valles Caldera; it has a high mineral content, making the waters therepeutic. It was beginning to drizzle, so I passed on the hot springs and decided to stop for lunch at Los Ojos Restaurant & Bar. The creaky wood floors and dimly lit
43 Southwest Highways & Fields
maintained very well. I pulled off at the Jemez Pueblo Culture Center and walked through the free museum with exhibits on the Jemez People and the arrival of the Spaniards. The area around Jemez Pueblo has interesting bright orange rock formations; There were bright orange cliffs right across the road from the Cultural Center. A few miles farther down Route 4 lies the village of Jemez Springs.
Top:
Rocks at Jemez Pueblo
-Eamon Decker
Bottom:
Giggling Springs
-Therese