Camel Rock is a naturally eroded sandstone formation, it is located in Pojoque, between Santa Fe and Espanola. There is really not much in Pojoque— it is the closest town to several Native America reservations in the area. How can you describe Camel Rock? It’s basically a rock that looks like a camel sitting down. There is a giant lower rock and a large rock which shoots upward forming a neck, that is crowned by a rock on top, the head. Anyone from northern New Mexico knows all about this landmark. Growing up in northern New Mexico this was often the highlight of our trips to Santa Fe and Los Alamos. Camel Rock is located on US 84 about 15 miles north of Santa Fe as you drive towards Espanola and Taos. It’s about a 20 minute drive. It is just before the major intersection with NM 4, which leads to Los Alamos and Chimayo. Chances are if you have been to either Chimayo or Los Alamos you have seen Camel Rock. Right across the street from Camel Rock is the recently built Camel Rock Casino. I painted this wonderful rock formation a year ago and this rendering is much lovelier in color and much more texture. I have a special place in my heart for these famous New Mexico rock formation, it was one of the first sight seeing trips I made with my parents when I moved to NM in 1948. Of course I left the New Mexico in 1963 and at that time there was no fence, it has had a fence installed a few years ago to keep people from leaving their graffiti on this lovely old rock. What a shame that people can’t leave our natural resources and heritage alone for posterity
These other original oil paintings by Oregon artist Barbara Anne Applegate were created in my Grants Pass, Oregon, USA Studio
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