Taos

On Friday we decided to drive up to Taos for the day, perhaps the spiritual center of New Mexico for artists. There are many ways to drive to Taos. On the way up we took the quick way so we would arrive in time for a late breakfast. The quick route takes you through several pueblos. You know this because of the number of casinos passed. The latest, set to open on August 12, bears the thrilling name "Buffalo Thunder". It is huge and from the description in the paper looks quite elegant. It includes a golf course and conference center. Its "coming soon" ads feature giant bolts of lightning. We haven't set foot in a casino yet, but maybe once this one opens ...

Anyway, eventually the road narrows and winds through the very scenic Rio Grande Gorge . Just before you get to Taos the road veers away from the gorge and a giant plain opens up with the gorge cutting a gash through the middle. Taos is about 15 miles from the gorge. We had an excellent breakfast at Michael's Kitchen, a well known diner/restaurant in Taos. We ate at the counter since there was a line for tables. Michael himself came around clearing dishes and pouring coffee a few times, very cheerful guy with a good sense of humor. I had huevos rellenos - esentially eggs on a tortilla smothered in beans, cheese and chili sauce. I opted for the vegetarian green chili sauce. Sooo good! Spicy too, but I got used to it after the first couple bites. Jake had a breakfast burrito smothered in green chili sauce. Michaels is also known for its cinnamon buns, but we were too stuffed to try one on this trip.

From there we drove to the Taos gorge bridge. Jake declared it was like a tourist stop from the 60s. There were hippies and indians selling goods by the side of the road with tables set out in front of their vans and trucks. You can walk back and forth across the bridge to look down the gorge (see photos). Of course now there is also a visitors center on the other side of the bridge, but we didn't go there.

Back in Taos we browsed through the many shops and galleries. The town is much smaller than Santa Fe, but still touristy. Still, it seemed as though it belonged more to the artists as Jake noted. Prices there seemed better than in Santa Fe but we resisted buying anything since neither of us are great shoppers!

On the way home we took the scenic route up through the mountains to the east of Taos. It still amazes me how quickly the scenery changes with a little elevation or curving around a hill. The scenic route goes through Carson National Forest and through some small villages. We detoured to see what Santa Clara Lake was not too far north of Santa Fe. It is one of the reservoirs used for flood control and water and there is a nice camping area. Technically no swimming allowed, but apparently there are lots of coves away from the main boat launch areas and the only danger in swimming is if they are releasing water from the reservoir.