meteor which struck the earth near the Yucatan Peninsula. The crater is still there today. The resulting fires and devastation wipes out 75% of wildlife on the planet. It marked the end of the Cretaceous era. Also take a six-minute ride in the time travel machine, which takes you back 75 million years where present-day New Mexico stood. Other exhibits include gemstones, caving experiences (dry cave, wet cave, and live in a cave). Many interactive exhibits keep the visitor invested in the information. Also available at the museum for an additional fee are a planetarium and a Dynamax theater with different movies. Spend at least two hours in the museum to see the primary exhibits.
A short distance away is the Turquoise Museum. This is another little gem. This museum shows everything you ever wanted to know about turquoise. How it is formed. Where it is mined. How to tell the different qualities and value of turquoise. You will spend about one hour to see the museum. It also contains a lapidary workshop with all of the tools to cut, polish, and grade the stone. The exhibit includes stones from all over the world. When you leave the museum, the exit is into a flower shop, which is behind the turquoise store. You can purchase beautiful turquoise jewelry too.
Twenty-five miles North East is the final little gem of the day before we get to the giant gem. This is Tinkertown. This museum displays the life work of Ross J. Ward, a master carver. While we were watching television he carves a complete Western Town and a circus with a big top and a side show alley. Pushing a button animates many of the pieces. What makes Tinkertown such a pleasure is the humor Ward put into each piece. He has