New Mexico

You know how it is: you come home from a great vacation, happy to be home, kind of tired, and definitely overwhelmed by the awaiting tasks.

Yeah. That's why it has taken me several days to download my photos. But I know that each of you has a life that does not hinge on my decision to press "Publish" so I don't feel too guilty!

• The Taos B&B—the Old Taos Guesthouse (picture at the top of the post)—that we stayed at was a little outside of the city center. One night John and I laid blankets out on the lawn to enjoy stargazing without the intrusive lights of big-city living. The Milky Way was like a carpet.... 
• Marilyn van Keppel (yes, THAT Marilyn of Faroese and Icelandic shawl fame!) and I enjoyed walking around the Taos Wool Festival. Sadly, I am still firmly aware of the reality of my fiber stash, so I did not feel compelled to purchase anything. But I was especially drawn to the Elsawool booth: their Cormo and other blended wool yarns and knitted products were absolute perfection. (Dang—just looking up the link made me want to order!) I fell in love with the rugs woven by Fred Black, although the one I was that close to buying was gone when we returned later in the day. 
• Weaving Southwest is one of my favorite places! Marilyn and I rested our weary feet on a welcome sofa, enjoying the expansive display of tapestries.

Dyed yarns drying outside Centinella Traditional Arts

• On the High Road to Taos we stopped in Chimayo to visit Centinella Traditional Arts, the studio and shop of Lisa and Ivan Trujillo, prize-winning weavers in the Rio Grande tradition. Lisa Trujillo greeted us warmly—it is always a joy to tell someone you admire how much you like their work.
• Happy event: we were in time for the world premiere of a documentary about weaving in New Mexico, Woven Stories: Weaving Traditions of Northern New Mexico! Rachel Brown, founder of Weaving Southwest and author of the timeless Weaving, Spinning the Dyeing Book, is one of the people featured in the film—a copy of her book, purchased in 1978, has been a valued part of my fiber life. Lisa Trujillo (above) is also in the film. You can purchase a copy of the movie on DVD. 

Storm near Questa

• Also along the High Road we stopped at the Ojo Sarco Pottery to purchase some coffee mugs. I want to move there! Kathy and Jake, the potters, were at work so we could watch pieces being decorated and enjoy chatting with them.

Ojo Sarco Pottery

• I tell you, if you are in New Mexico, do NOT miss the High Road to Taos! In addition to being beautiful, many artisans and fine artists have made their homes in the small towns along this route. Their studios are often open to the public. Really, click on that link for a virtual tour!
• I got to meet blog reader Celeste. We discovered a shared love of Turkey—she is co-leading a 15-day handcraft and culture tour there this spring.
• We ate at Orlando's two nights in a row; they specialize in Northern New Mexican cooking. Ahhh, the grilled pork adovada and posole! (And of course I was entranced by the colors!)

Dinner at Orlando's

• After Marilyn left, John and I settled down in Santa Fe for a few days. Our favorite restaurant, the Plaza Cafe, was closed for repairs—but a second location has opened in the south end of town, so I got my steak and enchiladas in red sauce, and John got his Green Chile Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust. We are a divided couple: I will always go for the red sauce and John tends to the green! In Santa Fe, "Red or green or Christmas?" is the standard question when you are dining out (Christmas means some red and some green sauce). I came home with a pound of red chile powder!
• We drove to Pecos National Historical Park, where the self-guided tour led us to kivas, ruined pueblo walls, and the remains of an old mission. This large pueblo was situated at a natural trading spot, but rather than try to tell you story, here's a link that better explains the importance of this community.

John climbing out of the restored kiva

Fur of a small, unlucky animal at Pecos Pueblo

• Bandelier National Monument was devastated by a fire and flood a few months ago, but a shuttle was set up to take us to the park. Although the lower areas showed evidence of flooding and the bridges across the river were washed away, we could still walk through the remains of the lower pueblo and climb to the cliff dwellings, where ladders are set up so we could peer into a few of the remaining dwellings. A highlight was the petroglyphs, some of them looked quite modern! A heavy rainstorm moved in just as we ended our walk, so we settled into our hotel room for naps.
• Although we've been to Santa Fe before, we'd never walked down Canyon Road, the center of the gallery scene (this link will give an idea of what's to be seen there). At the entrance to the street, you are greeted by these happy sheep:

I'm embarassed to say that I forgot to note the name of the artist and the gallery... If anyone knows, please allow me to give them credit.

• No visit is complete without a stop at Kakawa Chocolate House, a shop that will change how you view chocolate forever!
• I was pretty sick during most of this trip, so I really appreciated the big splurge: three nights in a deluxe room at The Inn of the Governors in Santa Fe. The fireplace, the comfy sofa, the excellend breakfasts, and the location just one block from a fine bookstore, The Collected Works Bookstore, gave me the rest I needed.

We saw, did, and ate many more memorable things, but I think this is enough! 

VIew near Los Alamos

 

 

Comments

[Nancy]

No, it's NOT enough! I so love and miss my times in Northern New Mexico. Thank you for sharing some of my favorite locations.

[sara]

I love this post: thank you Janine!

[Marilyn van Keppel]

I love seeing your photos...they bring it all back! You and John are perfect travelling companions (but I didn't get to share the Milky Way experience. Sigh!) And the chocolate! Truly a life-changing experience! Hope you're over the nasty cold and that John feels better too! Thanks for a wonderful time!

[Celeste nossiter]

Thank you SO much for linking to our trip page! It was wonderful to talk with you in Taos, even briefly. Glad you got to enjoy NM despite feeling under the weather. Your photos are beautiful. Let me know anytime you come back this way and if I can perhaps line up a teaching gig for you.

Celeste

[Greg]

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.

[Gretchen]

Yes, you covered everything I long to see again. And added a few new spots to my list.

[Valerie]

This was a lovely post. Spent a long time following the links. Thanks for providing lots of fodder for my fantasy travels.