Nearly a week later, we have been neglectful of our blog – but will describe our travels by region. We took the High Road to Taos, and of course, had to photograph that iconic Rancho de Taos church, the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church.
We arrived at Richard & June’s beautiful adobe abode in El Prado, facing the Sangre de Cristos last Monday, having a casita all to ourselves. Richard & June are friends from San Luis Valley days, who have since moved to the Taos area, by way of Texas. So much fun getting caught up, and recalling fun times together, and we now have more memories together, with Maggie feeling like she’s known them for years too.
June’s wonderful cooking (I still use her recipe for salpicon) and her and Richard’s great stories of growing up in Pennsylvania and Louisiana, and further adventures past kept us laughing and staying up late. The entire south side of our casita had floor-to-ceiling views of that northern New Mexican landscape I love so much and the intense light from the full moon beaming in.
Sunset from our casita
We took a guided tour of the Taos Pueblo our first full day; it had been many years since I had been there, and Maggie had never been there. The Taos Indians have lived there continuously for over 1,000 years, and consider the Anasazi’s – the Ancient Ones – to be their ancestors, the very same people who built the Chaco Culture.
June squeezes into our road trip-packed car!
Our second full day, Maggie and I treated ourselves to the multi-mineral pools of Ojo Caliente (arsenic, lithia, soda, and iron, and a clay mud bath!) We hiked above the hot springs, around the old Posi ruins with the thousands of pot shards remaining. After a few mishaps on using the camera timer, I finally got it right!
I needed 10 seconds, not 2 seconds to get in place!
Our last night in Taos, Mary Hoffman was able to join us, and we had another magnificent New Mexican meal at Lamberts (formerly my beloved Apple Tree Restaurant). More stories and gossip from Adams State – even Maggie could keep track of who was who …
A fond farewell to all three, and Northern New Mexico landscape, people, and food!
Next entry, the push across New Mexico to central Texas, and the treasures we found by taking the back roads.
Redwoods 2 Gulf Stream Waters 
This has by far been the funnest (?) post to read. I spent 6 glorious years living in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains outside of Santa Fe, nearer to Pecos. I have such fond memories of taking both the high and low roads to Taos, and finding ‘secret’ dirt roads -read 4-wheel-drive- ways to get there as well. Oh gosh…loved my time there! I had to smile as your post mentioned Ohio Caliente springs…our spell checker doesn’t like the Spanish words too much, right? I’m glad you had such a great time there!! I’m having fun following along…
Safe and adventurous travels….
Anne
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OMG – Ohio Caliente? Going to have to check that one! Posting has been a challenge in the wee hours, and too tired to review to edit!
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