Chimayo and Taos

From Santa Fe we took the "high" scenic road to Taos. Some of the mountain peaks are almost 14,000 feet, so it really was the high road (and beautiful). Picture 4 is in Chimayo - it is revered by some as a holy place because of its healing soil. Pictures 1, 2 & 5 is the Taos Pueblo where we spent a large part of the day. It is the oldest continually inhabited place in the country - 1,000 years. Fifteen families still live there year round. After the tour, you are allowed to walk around on your own - besides rooms to live in, many of the rooms are shops where residents sell their art. The other living pueblos we drove through in New Mexico do not cater to visitors; it is just their home. Pictures 3 & 6 are the Rio Grande River Gorge near Taos. Taos is a busy touristy ski town - fun to walk around with the crowd. One more week of ski season. This week has been one of the most enjoyable of the trip for me.

Comments from Eldon: I concur - its been a great week. The Taos Pueblo is a world heritage site - you can feel the history. Today was the first day the pueblo was open after their six week break. Many were replastering their homes with new adobe - they replaster 3 times a year. Guess that's what you have to do when your house is 1,000 years old. After the Taos Pueblo, we went to Earthship - world's largest self sufficient residential development.The homes are built totally of natural and recycled materials. A 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house has an annual utility bill of $100.00. They have one for sale for $369,000. But hey, only $100 to heat and cool it annually.

Comments from Harry: Pueblos have the roughest roads in the world.

Santa Fe

Love, love, love Santa Fe. Our RV park was perfect for an easy bus ride to the historic plaza, museums, etc. Plus you do get to see some interesting people on the bus! The weather was perfect. What can I say - I just really like Santa Fe. The top picture is the Native American vendors that sit outside the Palace of the Governors every day - beautiful craftsmanship and fun to look. The next picture is Loretto Chapel - the winding staircase was built in the 1800's by an itinerant, mysterious carpenter - it is still unknown to this day how he balanced it with no support. The next picture is an example of all the adobe buildings all over the city. The bottom picture - a suitcase guitar, hand made by the musician, is definitely an attention getter!

Comments from Eldon: Santa Fe is one of the friendliest cities I have ever visited. I really feel comfortable in Santa Fe - a relaxed, artistic vibe in the air.

Comments from Harry: I made my first friend. A feline senorita, who lives in the campground, came to visit me every day - I think she likes me.

Mountainair - Salinas Pueblo Ruins - Turquoise Trail NM

Way behind again! The pueblo ruins are from 1600's. They were built and run the Spanish Franciscan monks. The bottom picture is from Madrid - a fun, lively, artsy, little town on the Turquoise Trail. The Turquoise Trail is the scenic drive between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Cerrillos is another interesting town on the trail - it has been a ghost town for a long time that is trying to make a comeback. Not successfully yet....

Pie Town to Socorro, NM

I can write more tonight since I have wifi on my laptop. I've been doing it on my cell phone lately and don't write much. Pie Town was a quick stop - not as good as the segment we had seen on Sunday Morning News show a while back about Pie Town. We tried the New Mexican Apple Pie - it had green chile and pinon nuts. Sounds weird but was very good. The antenna  is VLA Radio Telescope. All of a sudden on the lonely highway, 27 of these appear. VLA stands for Very Large Array. Long story short, they are huge satellites that view outer space. Google it if you need to know more! We are back in jeans and sweatshirts since we are in the mountains again. Beautiful scenery - the peaks were snow covered today. Headed towards pueblos and Santa Fe.

 Comments from Eldon: I'm glad to be back in New Mexico again. People, which are few and far between, wave on the back roads we have been driving on. On a whole, the people are the friendliest and laid back. I never met a piece of pie I didn't like but I've liked some pies I've met better than today's. A little disappointing but still tasty. The Continental Divide crossing was pleasant driving.

Comments from Harry: I agree, the Continental Divide drive today was so much smoother than the Chiricahua Mountains - I NEVER want to go back there. I miss hanging with the kids in Tempe - that was fun! Thanks for the walks and brushing, Daniel.

Silver City and Gila Cliff Dwellings, NM

 Silver City is a neat old mining town.  It has reinvented itself with a lot of galleries and shops.  The Gila Cliff Dwellings were impressive - glad we made the drive and the hike.

Family Time in Tempe Az

We spent a nice week in Tempe at Mike, Daniel,  Sara,  and Marissa's house with Joy, Roger and Eileen. I was lax taking pictures,  but a fun time was had by all. 

Colorado River - Lake Havasu - River Island State Park

 I an so far behind! We spent several days at this state park in Arizona. California is on the far side. Several frendly Canadian neighbors for happy hour.