This national monument is known for preserving ancient ruins near Los Alamos, New Mexico. The main attraction, which my Mom and I visited and are featured in these photos, is Frijoles Canyon, which contains ancestral pueblo homes, kivas (ceremonial structures), rock paintings and petroglyphs. Some of the dwellings were rock structures built on the canyon floor; others were "cavates" produced by voids in the tuff of the canyon wall and enlarged by human action.

The state capitol of New Mexico, Santa Fe is an hour north of Albuquerque. This city has established laws that impose the Spanish Pueblo Revival building look, which has essentially been in effect since the early 1900's. Santa Fe is currently neck-in-neck with New York City for having the highest concentration of artists, and is well known for being the home-base of Georgia O'Keefe. My Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Santa Fe for about a week. The art on display in every nook and cranny is so diverse - we admired pottery, jewelry, paintings, carvings, and sculptures for days and didn't even scratch the surface!

The photo of a little blonde boy in this album was taken while my Mom and I were on a tour of Santa Fe. He was collecting so many rocks in his hoodie front pocket along our stroll that he could barely walk, it was so funny to observe. Well, the little guy was quite curious about my camera, and asked me to take a picture of him with his favorite rock. I love little moments like that.

Rocamadour became one of the most famous centres of pilgrimage following the discovery in 1166 of an ancient grave and sepulchre containing an undecayed body, said to be that of the early Christian hermit St. Amadour. The discovery unleashed a spate of miracles heralded, it is claimed, by the bell above the Black Virgin and Child in the Chapel of Notre-Dame. Although the town suffered with the decline of pilgrimages in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was heavily restored in the 19th century. Still a holy shrine, as well as a popular tourist destination, Rocamadour's site on a rocky plateau above the Alzou valley is phenomenal. The best views are to be had from the hamlet of L'Hospitalet.

Sarlat-la-Caneda possesses the highest concentration of medieval, Renaissance and 17th-century facades of any town in France. Its prosperity was a reflection of the priviledges status it was granted in return for loyalty to the French crown during the Hundred Years' War. Behind the nondescript rue de la Republique are narrow lanes and archways, and ancient, ochre-coloured stone town houses rich in ornamental detail. Protected by law since 1962, Sarlat's buildings now form an open-air museum. The town is famous for one of the best markets in France, and for their duck cuisine.

The 100 Year Anniversary of the Isle of Mann in the UK. Phil went with Pops, and came home with some pretty spectacular photos.