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Taos, New Mexico has been on my dream list as a travel destination for many a year.  I finally got to realize this dream last weekend when I got yet another great car rental rate and decided to head south before the winter set in.  What should have been a spectacular en route sightseeing trip through La Veta Pass, turned into something else.  Not used to driving in snowy conditions, I drove from La Veta Pass right into Taos through driving rain and snow.  So, I didn't get to see the beautiful fall colors, but in its own way, it was really pretty.  Thankfully I didn't have to drive in the night because just after San Luis I noticed signs for wild horses, then one for cattle, and then another for wildlife, all of which could be in the road!  See the route I took.

Going from 5,900 feet to 6,969 feet wasn't bad but my ears popped a few times in different places high up in the mountain passes.  The approach into Taos was pretty, and as the rain and cloud lifted, I was able to get a glimpse of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance.  I almost burst into tears when I realized where I was, finally.  I made my way to my first stop of the trip, the La Posada De Taos Bed and Breakfast.

(TIP) I lost cell phone service/coverage and didn't have access to my phone the entire time I was in Taos.  It came back on outside of Taos, around Eagle Nest on the return trip.  (I use a pay-as-you-go service from AT&T.)  Make sure you're covered if you're going to use your phone a lot.

The next morning after a sumptuous breakfast, I headed out to see the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the fifth highest in the country at 650 feet high.  (Drive out north on US-64 then head west on US-64 towards the gorge—signs are everywhere).  It was still cloudy and I managed to walk halfway across the bridge.  It's a little scary (horrifying if you're vertiginous) but worth the view.  I did feel nervous looking down and had to hold onto the railing, especially when cars came past and rattled things.  A couple of miles north of the bridge you'll come across the Earthship Biotecture visitors' center.  I stopped in for a brief visit and to learn how you can live off the land without farming or much in the way of paying for heating and cooling utilites.

I went back to the gorge on Saturday because it had snowed on Friday night and I wanted to see if the light was any different.  Not much snow and the light wasn't that different, but I saw some big-horned sheep about 50 yards from the south entrance to the bridge, and I met Ted Trujillo and his nephew, both artists, setting up a stall to sell their artwork.  I met them again in town the next day.  The colors they use are phenomenal and very enticing.

After seeing the gorge bridge and the earthships, I stopped at the Millicent Rogers Museum.  Millicent Rogers (1902-1953) was a New York heiress who moved to Taos and had an enormous influence over how we now view this place and what is typical of the area.  The museum houses a vast array of Southwestern art and is well worth a visit even if it's just to see the jewelry.
(TIP) Make sure you bring along a small selection of warmer clothes as you never know what the weather will do at such high elevations.

There was still much of the day left so I got back onto Hwy-64 south for a few miles.  Hwy-64 becomes Paseo del Pueblo Norte to the north and Paseo del Pueblo Sur to the south of the center of town.  I was looking for the San Francisco de Asis Church.  As usual, I got sidetracked either because I couldn't turn where I wanted to (I never mind going on a bit further and turning where and when it's safe to do so and then doubling back to my original destination—alleviates stress and impatience having to wait for traffic) and went on a bit passed the church.  Quite by accident I found the Adobe & Pines Inn Bed and Breakfast tucked away behind some trees.  I pulled in because I knew they had a labyrinth (the first of four I discovered) and I wanted to walk it.  I also met two of their cats, both of whom were friendly and solicited much scratching and attention from me.  The labyrinth is lovely and worth a visit.  It was fortuitous as it turned out, that I'd calmed myself down on the labyrinth before heading to the San Francisco de Asis Church, which is a must-see vision.  Unusual adobe architecture and a sight to behold.  Built between 1777 and 1816 and featured in Georgia O'Keefe paintings and photographed by Ansel Adams and many others.

By now it was late afternoon and I still had a little sightseeing to do in town, so I headed back north.  It was about 5pm and it started to rain so I made my way to my accommodation for the second night, at Touchstone Inn Bed and Breakfast.  It rained for about four or five hours, and the next morning I discovered it had snowed!  Before I called it a night though, and after unpacking and seeing my room, I went looking for something to eat.  Michael's Kitchen is famous for serving breakfast any time of the day, and seeing as I'm on a mission to discover the best huevos rancheros in the southwest, that's where I went and that's what I had.  I have to say that so far, Michael's huevos rancheros IS the best!  So far.  Huevos Rancheros at Michael's Kitchen is made with two eggs, hash browns, beans, tortillas, green vegetarian chili (with mushrooms and a kick) and melted cheese.  You can choose regular green or red chili.  This restaurant is a favorite with the locals and the car park is always packed.

The second day, Saturday, was all about museums and a walking tour of the Historic District.  I found some free parking off Kit Carson Road and went walking around.  I passed the Kit Carson Home and Museum en route, and I came across many beautiful art galleries which you can pop in and out of at your leisure.  One I did pop into was Stray Arts Gallery who donate to a local animal shelter.  I also walked along Ledoux Street which is eclectic and a gorgeous out-of-the-way diversion.  This is where The Harwood Museum of Art is located and well worth a stop.  It houses a collection of black-and-white photos, sculptures, prints, and paintings.  Beautiful wooden floors and large open spaces make this a comfortable and welcoming museum.  After the museum I walked up to Guadalupe Plaza which was quaint, then off to the Taos Plaza which was abuzz with live bands playing a variety of music, the Hotel La Fonda de Taos, tourist information, galleries, and tourist shops full of vivid blankets and crockery, hats, key chains, mugs, tiles, you name it.

A spot of wine tasting at La Chiripada on Bent Street is a welcome diversion, and I loved their Port.  I also went to Govenor Bent's House Museum and Gallery but didn't do the tour.  Other places to see is the Moby Dickens Book store.  I stepped into a gorgeous art gallery called Earth and Spirit Gallery to find the resident artist, Shari Ubechel painting.  (132 Bent Sreet).  Do stop by and admire this lovely gallery.  As you walk around you'll come across so many gorgeous shops and narrow streets which beckon a look-see.  Don't rush as you'll miss out.  I noticed so many huge bunches of chilis decorating shop fronts and homes which I found so colorful and welcoming.  After all, Hatch, NM is the chili capital of the world!  I also saw lots of purple flowering bushes and yellow shrubs along the roadside.

In the afternoon I went looking for the Mabel Dodge Luhan house and found it at the end of a long, narrow, winding road.  There are a few large homes, one of which is a conference center.  To the right and on a slight rise is the Mabel Dodge Luhan House.  You can walk around the courtyard which is beautiful, and you'll get a good view of the house itself.  You are allowed to go inside but not upstairs.  You'll be in good company as the likes of Georgia O'Keeffe, Ansel Adams, Carl Jung, D.H. Lawrence, and Bob Dylan (when Dennis Hopper owned the house for a while in the '70s) visited.  I noticed a hive of activity outside with blue birds (I've not identified them yet) that were going about their business.  Also, this is where I discovered my third labyrinth.

Tired and hungry after a long day running around, I headed to my third B&B, Dreamcatcher Bed and Breakfast.  Song's Asian Restaurant is where I settled for supper as they were the only ones I could find at short notice who had any curry on the menu.  I had their Thai Green Chicken Curry which was very spicy and they served enough for me to take back for the next night's meal.  Perfect for a cold evening.  There was broccoli, yellow squash, carrots, bell peppers, onions, cauliflower, mushrooms and celery.  Yummy.  It was back to the Dreamcatcher for a cozy night's sleep, but not before checking emails on their free wi-fi.

My last full day in Taos was spent partially at the Taos Pueblo, a Native American community in existence since the 1200s, and they still don't use electricity or running water.  It's a village-style set-up with lots of homes and the famous San Geronimo Church, which was built in 1850.  It's home to many who speak their unrecorded and unwritten native language, Tiwa.  The Red Willow Creek cuts across the site and is the life source of the people.  You can tour around but be respectful of their way of life and photo restrictions.  This is a living and working community and you can buy mementoes and souvenirs from the many shops inside homes.  You aren't able to go into the homes, but one or two shops extend further than the front room so you'll get an idea of the size.
I took the Hail Creek Road towards the Pueblo and returned at 6pm for the exquisite light at this time of the day.  I got my favorite photos of Taos here.  The area outside the Taos Pueblo belongs to the Pueblo, and is governed and looked after without interference from the general public.  Their goal is to maintain the more than 100,000 acres of land by protecting fish, wildlife, trees, soils, water and everything else.  The Taos Pueblo is a World Heritage landmark.  The Pueblo is pet-friendly but bear in mind that there are many dogs running free in the area.  There is a little casino on the road to the Pueblo, if you fancy a flutter.

The rest of the day I strolled around the town center and stretched my legs in the Kit Carson Park and Cemetery, where he is buried, along with Mabel Dodge Luhan and several war veterans.  I also went into the Cabot Plaza which was disappointing as it was just a lot of empty shops.  There were two stores out front, one of which was so expensive but their goods were beautiful, and from Mexico.  Then it was off to settle in at the Sun God Lodge for my last night in this beautiful place I hope to visit again.  I wasn't up to more driving but if you are, you can do the 85-mile Enchanted Circle drive around Taos.

I was up really early on Monday morning to start the home stretch.  I had a sausage breakfast burrito from McDonald's on their $ menu (bless them), which was absolutely delicious.  Can't beat that for a quick breakfast, and for just one dollar!  I took Kit Carson Road, which becomes US-64 east and headed on my way.  However, because of the recent snow, my trip out of the mountains took so long because I kept stopping to take photos.  The winding road wended its way through beautiful scenery and it seemed a sin not to slow down and enjoy it.  Naturally there were those drivers in a hurry so I pulled over a few times to let them pass.  After Angel Fire and Eagle Nest, the land became flatter and there was more wildlife to be seen, especially around Cimarron.  This is where I pulled over to take photos of antelope, buffalo, and a couple of eagles.  I also called Enterprise to extend my trip as I didn't want to rush home.  Once I joined I-25 north, I came upon the town of Raton, and stopped for a look around.  After the Raton Pass, I stopped in Trinidad, my last stop, before the last leg of my trip.  The views of the distant mountains were incredible.