Volcanos of New Mexico

According to the New Mexico Natural History,  http://nmnaturalhistory.org/volcanoes-of-new-mexico.html, the top recommended places for beginning volcanologists to explore (because New Mexico's volcanic past is still so evident and undamaged) are:

1. Capulin Volcano National Monument (33 miles east of Raton in the north east corner). With a paved road to the summit crater, a rim trail and a trail to the bottom of the crater, this is one of the most accessible volcanoes in the country.
2. El Malpais National Monument and Zuni Bandera Volcanic Field  (72 miles west of Albuquerque). This "Hawaii in the desert Southwest" allows visitors to see primary lava flow structures. Many terms used to descibe fresh lava flows were originally defined from studies in this area!
3. Petroglyph National Monument (Albuquerque’s west side). The petroglyphs were etched on lava flows that erupted from a classic fissure. This site includes both unusual small-scale volcanic features and some typical examples of the interior of lava flows.
4. Rio Puerco Volcanic Necks (30 miles west of Bernalillo). This offers visitors one of the best views in the world of the near-surface interiors of small volcanoes. And the setting is classic Southwest, with buttes and mesas.
5.  Valles Caldera (40 miles west-northwest of Santa Fe). This is a monument to New Mexico’s undiscovered potential. Quite simply, from the perspective of morphology, the Valles Caldera is a better example of a supervolcano than Yellowstone. It is the "poster-child" for large calderas.
6. Valley of Fires State Recreation Area  (three miles west of Carrizzo). One of the longest young lava flows in the world, with features often seenin textbook examples of young lava flows.
7. Zuni Salt Lake Crater (County Road 601 between Fence Lake and Quemado). This classic young volcanic crater formed explosively when hot magma encountered ground water. It is one of dozens of explosive craters, called "maars" by geologist, occurring throughout New Mexico.

By stopping on the shoulder of Interstate 40 we were able to get some pictures of an ancient lava flow that essentially hasn't eroded or been lost to time.

Vast populations may not want to live in New Mexico, but I surely do like driving across it.  The scenery is ever changing, unique, and beautiful.  Forget flying; I wanna drive across America!  Anyone remember the Dinah Shore Show and her theme song:  See The USA in Your Chevrolet ?