“Paso por aquí.” It means, “Passed by here.” At least three different cultures over the past 2,000 years left their mark on El Morro as they passed by here. El Morro is Spanish for headland or cliff. Not far from Grants, New Mexico, west of Albuquerque, El Morro lies on the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. People arrived at this spot in the desolate high-altitude desert because of water. More than a thousand years ago, travelers found a fresh spring of water at the base of El Morro. It was the only reliable water source for 30 miles in any direction. And, apparently, everyone who stopped left their mark on this historic newspaper rock. Check it out in this short little video. If you’re going to travel here, you’d better come prepared to visit El Malpais National Monument, Bistí De Na Zin Wilderness area and Chaco Culture National Historical Park as well. I’ve already done a blog on Chaco. You can find it elsewhere on this website. In the next couple weeks, I’ll do something on El Malpais and Bistí, as well. Stay tuned…..