When we found out that Chaco Canyon had been selected for one of the America the Beautiful quarters, I instantly hoped to get to cover the official unveiling. Why? Because I love Chaco Canyon. I love the land, the experience of walking where others have so long before us, and just being present in the vast space. There is something magical about Chaco Canyon that only people who have spent a night there can understand. With almost no artificial light at night and being miles and miles away from the nearest town, you can see more stars that you've ever imagined, all with the naked eye. It's something I tell everyone to experience if they make the trip to New Mexico.

Councilman Ernest M. Vallo Sr., of Acoma Pueblo blesses the new Chaco Canyon visitor center during the quarter launch at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Chetro Ketl at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Apache Elementary student Samantha Etcitty, 10, examines her new Chaco canyon quarter during the quarter launch at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

The Apache Elementary Honor Choir performs in front of Fajada Butte during the Quarter launch at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Peyton Gallegos, 3, hides behind the Chaco Canyon quarter prop after posing for a photo with her brother, Timothy Gallegos, 11, after the official quarter launch at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. The children were visiting with their mother, Denise Gallegos from Chama. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Deputy Director of the United State Mint Richard Peterson hands out Chaco Canyon quarters to 5th graders from Apache Elementary during the quarter launch at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Children from Hanaa'dli Community School eat lunch outside the new visitor center at Chaco Canyon and in front of Fajada Butte, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Gallup Wells Fargo store manager Melanie Mitchell exchanges 10 rolls of $10 quarters for coin collector Jon Brackin, from Las Vegas, Nevada, during the quarter launch at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. Brackin said he has been to 6 of the 8 America the Beautiful quarter launches so far. Wells Fargo brought an armored car out with the new quarters. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Pueblo Bonito as seen from the overlook at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

$10 rolls of Chaco Canyon quarters wait to be exchanged by Wells Fargo at the quarter launch at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

People line up to exchange their money for the new Chaco Canyon quarters during the quarter launch at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

At left, Deputy Director of the United State Mint Richard Peterson and Superintendent of Chaco Culture NHP Barbara West officially launch the Chaco Canyon quarter, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Chetro Ketl at Chaco Canyon, Thursday, April 26, 2012. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

The Bataan Memorial Death March is an event I'll never forget. I drove down the day before knowing I had to get on base before sunrise when the march would begin. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this assignment and as the sun rose on the crowd of people that assembled to begin the march it took my breath away. This was the 22nd annual memorial march to honor the Bataan Death March survivors and the memory of those didn't survive. New Mexico has a good number of Bataan Death March survivors. I loved watching and photographing the survivors that showed up to cheer on the march participants. I don't know how many hands they shook that day, but pretty much everyone who crossed that finish line stopped to thank them for their service and bravery.

Walkers and runners begin the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Bataan survivor Oscar Leonard, 91, from Paradise, CA, sends off the walkers at the start of the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Kein Bolke and his son, Max Bolke, 9, of White Sands, begin their 15.2-mile walk during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. This was Max's first Bataan walk and he later said it was good and that he would do it again next year. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Bataan survivor Sam Juan Antonio, sends off the walkers with the phrase "No Blisters" during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Walkers hike through the White Sands Missile Range during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Volunteer Vicki Anderson, from Las Cruces, holds out water for the walkers and runners during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Walkers and runners kick up some dust along with the strong winds that seemed to last all day during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Walk participants hydrate at water point 3 during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Walkers and runner emerge from the dusty desert of White Sands Missile Range during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Vietnam veteran Bruce Fonnest, at right, holds up the Engineer flag as walkers and runners pass by at water station 3 during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Angus Smith plays the bagpipes while marching in the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

A runner comes down the home stretch of his 15.2-mile run during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Runners pass by tall yuccas during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

A team prepares to cross the finish line of their 26.2-mile run arm in arm during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)

Bataan survivors Harold Bergbower, 90, from Peoria, AZ, at right, and William Eldridge, 88, from Citrus Heights, CA, greet runners at water point 7 during the 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (Morgan Petroski/Albuquerque Journal)