n. - An altered state of consciousness derived from high elevations, crisp pine-scented air, jaw-dropping vistas, and a laptop that hasn't been opened in a week.*
When we last visited New Mexico (at almost exactly this time five years ago) it was difficult to return home to foul humid air, crowded freeways, and the rat race. It was even harder this time, because now we know we're going to retire there, not too many years from now.
My brother's vacation home in Red River afforded us the opportunity to get away and so we took it. It's a quick two-hour flight to Albuquerque and about three and half more driving north, through Santa Fe, Espanola, Taos, and Questa before arriving in the little Swiss-themed ski hamlet in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, foothills to the Rockies. Having spent much time in Santa Fe on previous trips, we decided to focus on exploring Taos, and weren't disappointed.
First, the little slice a' heaven in RR.
Temperatures during our time dipped into the high 20's at night and nosed up over 70 during the day. Humidity ranged between 5-15%.
The deer, who come down from the mountains in-between houses to forage and graze at dusk.
A drive around the Enchanted Circle, and a stop at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Angel Fire.
In Taos, the Gov. John Bent house and museum and the Kit Carson home and museum. And then the cemetery where the famed mountain man/tormenter of the Navajo is buried, beside his wife Josepha.
This short snip of video from the museum has one of the man's great-great-great- grandsons portraying him.
The Rio Grande River Gorge bridge (where our friend Bob Wells had his ashes scattered a couple of years ago). This is a good video. My acrophobia kept me from venturing too far out onto the bridge.
A few shops, a few galleries.
Posole and blue corn enchiladas smothered in green chile at Doc Martin's inside the Taos Inn. A Moroccan shrimp salad at Graham's Grille. A pulled brisket burrito at Orlando's.
A little gambling -- slots and Preakness -- at Buffalo Thunder.
Some other interesting Taos sightings.
A last night on the Old Town Square in Albuquerque, at the famous Bottger Mansion bed and breakfast.
Can't wait until we can go back to stay.
*Yes, this is plagiarized and revised advertising copy.
When we last visited New Mexico (at almost exactly this time five years ago) it was difficult to return home to foul humid air, crowded freeways, and the rat race. It was even harder this time, because now we know we're going to retire there, not too many years from now.
My brother's vacation home in Red River afforded us the opportunity to get away and so we took it. It's a quick two-hour flight to Albuquerque and about three and half more driving north, through Santa Fe, Espanola, Taos, and Questa before arriving in the little Swiss-themed ski hamlet in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, foothills to the Rockies. Having spent much time in Santa Fe on previous trips, we decided to focus on exploring Taos, and weren't disappointed.
First, the little slice a' heaven in RR.
Temperatures during our time dipped into the high 20's at night and nosed up over 70 during the day. Humidity ranged between 5-15%.
The deer, who come down from the mountains in-between houses to forage and graze at dusk.
A drive around the Enchanted Circle, and a stop at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Angel Fire.
In Taos, the Gov. John Bent house and museum and the Kit Carson home and museum. And then the cemetery where the famed mountain man/tormenter of the Navajo is buried, beside his wife Josepha.
This short snip of video from the museum has one of the man's great-great-great- grandsons portraying him.
The Rio Grande River Gorge bridge (where our friend Bob Wells had his ashes scattered a couple of years ago). This is a good video. My acrophobia kept me from venturing too far out onto the bridge.
A few shops, a few galleries.
Posole and blue corn enchiladas smothered in green chile at Doc Martin's inside the Taos Inn. A Moroccan shrimp salad at Graham's Grille. A pulled brisket burrito at Orlando's.
A little gambling -- slots and Preakness -- at Buffalo Thunder.
Some other interesting Taos sightings.
A last night on the Old Town Square in Albuquerque, at the famous Bottger Mansion bed and breakfast.
Can't wait until we can go back to stay.
*Yes, this is plagiarized and revised advertising copy.
