Capulin Volcano National Monument
I remember this special road trip with Erin as we explored the panhandle of Texas and drove into New Mexico. It was during on of her breaks from chiropractic school, and we flew into Texas and set out on a long stretch of road that carried us through a landscape shaped by drought. The land felt dry and worn, the colors muted.
And then we came upon Capulin.
Capulin Volcano National Monument rises out of that landscape in a way that feels almost out of place. A near perfect volcanic cone, it stands in contract to everything around it. After miles of open land, it draws our attention immediately.
This is not just a hill, but a volcanic structure, formed thousands of years ago, yet still so intact that you can trace its shape from base to rim. The site was preserved as a national monument in 1916 by Woodrow Wilson, recognizing its unique geological significance. Today, under the care of the National Park Service, it remains one of the best-preserved cone volcanoes in North America.
Visiting Capulin was a special moment on one of them many road trips with Erin. The long drive, the dry landscapes and the curiosity to get out and explore our National Parks, wherever they are located.
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