7/05/2010

Thoughts on Taos



This will be my last vacation concentrated post. In some ways New Mexico already seems so long ago. I have a frame filled with some of my favorite landscape shots ready to hang right over the student's head in my office to try to bring a bit of that peace during the chaos of the coming months at work. After Santa Fe we took the high road to Taos while our travel mates headed back to the airport. The high road had some lovely views but honestly we were more impressed by the low road in some ways. You follow the Rio Grande River for much of the way and you have actually more mountain views that both the driver and passenger can enjoy.




This was supposed to be when Mike and I had good quality time together and I got to focus on my photography some. The later happened as planned, the former not so much. Mike forgot his laptop adapter in Santa Fe so he was unable to write or play much online which made for some grouchiness on his part. But he did enjoy the peaceful B&B environment and spent hours out on the porch reading in the chair above with the string of chilis. We stayed at the Adobe and Pines Inn which is 10 minutes from downtown Taos and has a beautiful stream running through it and a zen rock garden with a labyrinth.

The day that we got there happened to be a feast day at the Taos Pueblo, the longest continually inhabited building in North America, with a corn dance. The Pueblo Indians have been living there for over 1,000 years and still maintain much of their culture. You can't photograph the dances so I went back the next morning to get some shots. The sun was already blaring when I got there so I didn't get any great shots but I like this one.

The first night there I took off with my camera right before sunset. I found a great spot where I could park which was the start of a trail with great views of the sunset and mountains. I took several of my favorite shots ever that night. I'm actually still processing the raw images from that night and there are more gems still to be discovered I know. Both of the shots at the top as well as this my favorite tree in New Mexico.
tree at sunset
The last morning we were there I woke up before sunset, which shocked my family to death. I saw the sunrise from behind the mountains, visited the Rio Gorge Bridge, drove to D.H. Lawrence's ranch at the top of a mountain, and visited his memorial all before breakfast while Mike slept in.

I will probably be going back there next year to take a photography workshop without Mike. It is by far the most beautiful place I've ever been. Mike didn't really like the vibe in Taos like he did the rest of our travels. There is a certain uptight, rich former hippy tourist feel to it. Santa Fe has a much more laid back scene. I will definitely never go in the summer, prime tourist time again. I was told late September is a great time for taking pictures.

Tomorrow I'll try to get back to some regular blog material, whatever that is....

8 comments:

Anna Larson said...

If you like hot air balloon, you should come back for the Balloon Fiesta in October. In Sept the first 2 weeks of the month are the State Fair so if you stay in ABQ, there will be traffic jams all over the place. Timing is important those two months because you have to plan far enough in advance to make sure you can actually reserve hotel space. But yes Sept through early OCT is a great time to come.

Ann said...

Gorgeous pictures. I can see why you want to go back.

Lin said...

I like your vacation posts! Please don't make excuses for them, I like to see and hear what you did. It's kind of nice to hear of a place that I have never been. Hope that vacation feeling lingers long after you've been home for awhile. It is a good feeling, isn't it?

storybeader said...

I love looking at the Taos Pueblos! They're so neat!

Sinclair said...

I love love love the photo of the chilis! And the pueblo is really neat also...especially that the Natives still inhabit the building/area and manage to hold onto some of their ancient culture.

Split Rock Ranch said...

Gorgeous photos. I love both Taos and Santa Fe and I think its time I went back and took my hubby with me! Thank you for sharing!

Joanne Olivieri said...

What fantastic captures. I can understand why you would want to visit again. Thanks for sharing these with us.

D. Jean Quarles said...

Those are some lovely images. Thanks for sharing them. Have a great day.

 

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