Monday, May 18, 2015

Last Days In New Mexico

     We rolled into Taos yesterday under beautiful clear skies. We take way too many photos of the sky but we just cant get enough sky.

              



     When we arrived in Taos, we found the annual Lilac Festival was happening. And it included a classic car show. Right up Jim’s alley!  Sadly, the rain from Friday and Saturday kept some of the exhibitors, including the car show entries, away. But…we did find one classic car at the festival Smile Those ladies were getting ready to enjoy some home made flavored lemonades.

106-Taos-Lilac Fair

    So, we went looking for lunch. Now, I don’t know about anyone who may be reading this (Ron Moffett) but Jim is a Doc Martin fan. And look what we found…local cuisine!

109-Taos Doc Martin 2             110-Taos-Doc martin 3

108-Taos-Doc Martin 1

     It has a cozy pub feel, seems hugely popular and serves delicious food. Jim’s first hamburger since we left Prescott. No red or green sauce required Smile
     Taos has a plaza, as does Santa Fe, with many artist galleries displaying beautiful jewelry and artwork. We again contributed to the economy at the fabulous fabric and quilting stores. They carry so many fabrics I have never seen before. Things that are beautiful and symbolic of the area.

      Today, we visited the Taos Pueblo where people of the Red Willow Tribe have lived for hundreds of years. Today, many people have homes in the Pueblo that they’ve inherited from their ancestors. They have no modern services and live in a very modest style. Most of them also have modern homes elsewhere and they divide their time between the two.

The Taos Pueblo lies in this little valley beneath beautiful snowy peaks.
 
    The San Geronimo church was built in 1860. The current church is one of the youngest buildings in the pueblo. It was originally built in 1619 by Spanish priests then rebuilt after being destroyed during two separate wars.


              

    The cemetery was very touching to me. These are the graves of ancients and of more recent members of the Pueblo. In the distance is the ruin of the original church.


     We had a guide from the Pueblo who shared the history and traditions of the people. He did a great job and we were so glad we took the tour.

              

     These are outdoor ovens where the women still bake bread. The homes are hundreds of years old and the members of the Pueblo need to keep them in good repair for those who still have homes here.

 

This stream flows through the Pueblo and provides water for all their needs.

              

Many who have homes in the Pueblo also make and sell jewelry, artwork, textiles and food. We had a tasty lunch, made by Bertha, at a home similar to this one. Fry bread tacos for me and Frito pie for Jim. Bertha has a pretty nice little kitchen with modest but modern appliances, running with propane.


     From the Taos Pueblo, we took a side trip to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. It’s a steel deck arch bridge; the seventh highest bridge in the U.S.

     The bridge is 565 feet above the Rio Grande.

              

     Some people actually walk to the center point of the bridge and look down at the river…not me.  Really windy and really scary Sad smile

Tomorrow we’re back on the road…headed to Garden of the Gods in Colorado.

Have a great day!
Pat

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