The High Road north from
Santa Fe entered us into what you can only call God's country. We couldn’t help
but be
enthralled by the beautiful mountain scenery of the Carson National Forest. It
offered magnificent vistas of snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and charming
traditional Spanish and Pueblo villages. The churches at Nambe Pueblo, Las
Trampas, Chimayo and Ranchos de Taos are a photographers dream!
The old adobe San Jose de Garcia Catholic Church at Trampas became a
favorite stop along the route. Two little Indian boys struck up an interest in
our cameras outside and snapped a picture for us. There is hardly any traffic
on the road that Sunday afternoon
as the rig conquered several steep grades at 13,000 ft.
We arrived within 3-1/2 hours in the charming town of Taos,
a culturally rich small town set against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the
east and a spectacular mesa sliced by the meandering Rio Grande to the
west.
Taos Monte Bello RV Park located on 5 acres of
beautiful, open space on the high-desert mesa at the foot of the Sangre de
Cristo Mountains has been our base camp. It is a very nice little RV park on
the northern edge of Taos, but at times does get rather windy. The place isn’t
a fancy “resort” but it is the best park in the area within easy reach of all
Taos activities and has some great sunsets.
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| Taos sunset on the horizon |
During three days in Taos
we’ve peeked at several
Taos historic museums and churches, many of which are National Historic
Landmarks, and soaked in a glimpse of how the town’s early settlers lived. Its
history is filled with colorful characters who helped make Taos what it is
today. From trappers and traders like Kit Carson to wealthy heiresses,
remittance men like the first territorial Governor Bent, legendary artists like
Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams and far-sighted entrepreneurs.
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| Another Taos sunset |
Lots of creative folk art, jewelry, pottery, baskets, and religious relics are available everywhere for a price.
The Taos Plaza
with its shaded central courtyard is the living, breathing heart and soul of
the old Spanish settlement in the Taos Valley It has become the hub for
tourists meandering through old adobe buildings filled with colorful shops, galleries, and
southwestern wares.
The San Francisco de Asis Church, four miles south of Taos in Rancho de Taos, dates from 1772 and is still an integral part of its community. Artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams have memorialized this famous church because of its unique massive adobe and masonry architecture
Every spring, the people of the community gather to mud a new layer of adobe mud plaster on the walls, preserving their church in the time-worn ways. The work is called “enjarre”, or re-mud.
Taos Pueblo on the northern outskirts of the town of Taos
was a highlight for half a day strolling the village. It consists of an amazing
multi-story adobe structure built between 1000 and 1450 AD and has been
inhabited for over 1,000 years. Approximately 150 people still live
within the Pueblo full time, and the people of the Pueblo continue to maintain
the age-old beliefs and cultural traditions of their ancient society.
 |
| San Geronimo Church built in 1850 |
Several old adobe rooms have become privately owned Indian
shops throughout the village that support the numerous local native artists. Speaking with some of the Native Americans, tasting Indian fry bread, viewing the various Indian crafts, and capturing photos of the pueblo is an experience that shall be long remembered.
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| Surrounding dwellings on the pueblo often serve as shops |
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| Ladders provided entry to dwellings when doors didn't exist |
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| A pueblo horno oven used daily |
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| Deer hide drum |
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| Taos Pueblo cemetery where the original 1619 San Geronimo church once stood. |
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| Old 1619 Geronimo Church ruins at Taos Pueblo |
Whether
you're into history, culture, outdoor adventures or just in need of some new
and unique scenery, New Mexico definitely is the place where pueblos, the art
of dance, native traditions and artists thrive as a way of life. These are a few of the many unique
aspects of its amazing land. Splendid sunrises, sunsets, and wide open blue
skies over the vast open high deserts and valleys all surrounded by mountain ranges provide
a peace and solace to the spirit and soul like none other.
 |
| A sunrise over Taos from the campsite |
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| Taos Sunset |
The High Road north from
Santa Fe entered us into what you can only call God's country. We couldn’t help but be
enthralled by the beautiful mountain scenery of the Carson National Forest. It
offered magnificent vistas of snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and charming
traditional Spanish and Pueblo villages. The churches at Nambe Pueblo, Las
Trampas, Chimayo and Ranchos de Taos are a photographers dream!
The old adobe San Jose de Garcia Catholic Church at Trampas became a
favorite stop along the route. Two little Indian boys struck up an interest in
our cameras outside and snapped a picture for us. There is hardly any traffic
on the road that Sunday afternoon
as the rig conquered several steep grades at 13,000 ft.
