Los Alamos was built as a secret town during WWII to develop the atomic bomb. The site was selected because of its remoteness.  It is still operating today.

Last week we visited with Gene and Missy the dog.  We drove through the town, visited the museum and learned that the Los Alamos National Laboratories are involved in genetics, global warming, environmental research and nuclear safety as well as other things. All in an attempt to remain relevant since they long ago completed their initial mission.

The lab is so far from anywhere that without the continued support of the government it would return to its natural state. Gene and Nurit and I argued about whether it was a good use of the taxpayers money. I thought that the existence of facilities and infrastructure built for one thing did not make it necessary to keep them going. Nurit and Gene made the point that this kind of research will be done with government funds somewhere, why not here.

The view from Los Alamos

The lab is in a beautiful area and the people who live here now are protective of their territory.  Just as I’m sure the Anasazi who lived nearby at Bandolier were of theirs a thousand years ago.

Bandolier

We drove over the hills to a beautiful volcanic caldera and them down through the Jemez valley and saw the beautiful red sandstone cliffs.

Caldera Valley

Jemez

Chinle Sandstone

I like driving around with smart simpatico people and thinking and arguing about why things are the way they are.