Echo Amphitheater Rock Formation

Echo Amphitheater near Abiquiu, New Mexico
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Driving through New Mexico from Texas, I was struck by the long stretches of wide open space.  New Mexico is the 5th largest state but ranks #36 in population, so I guess "wide open spaces" are inevitable.  According to Wikipedia, the state's population density is 15 per square mile, making New Mexico the sixth most sparsely inhabited U.S. State.

For awhile, the view along US Route 84 north from Chimayo was flat and open, but then I reached the "end of the flats" and the topography took a decidedly upward turn.  As I rounded curves, high sandstone cliffs greeted me and provided a welcome dose of color to the landscape.

Wide Open Spaces

Sandstone cliffs near Echo Amphitheater
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At a small village called Abiquiu, I came across Echo Amphitheater, in the Carson National Forest.  ["Forest" is a very generous term for the district, which had few trees visible.]  Echo Amphitheater is a natural echo chamber carved from the sandstone cliffs thousands of years ago. As you might imagine from its name, the chamber provides for perfect echoes.  I stopped briefly to see the place and make a few photos.  Here are some interesting links:

http://www.vivanewmexico.com/ghosts/echo.html

Echo Amphitheater, in Carson National Forest.
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http://www.digitalabiquiu.com/pages/tours/echo_t.html