October in Taos

From the Taos.org Website

VISIT TAOS. Taos, an art colony, a world-class ski resort, an ancient community and land of Earthships. Taos is a place of convergence – of cultures, of opposites, of like minds and new perspectives. Drawn by clean air and great views, visitors come to experience rich spiritual traditions, fine art and the beauty of the landscape. They come to Taos for creative inspiration and the abundant outdoor recreation. Find your re-creation here.

SOMOS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL  |  October 7-8 This year's theme is humor with a participation-themed StorySLAM. somostaos.org ART UP OPEN STUDIO October 8-9 Open Studios in Angel Fire and Eagle Nest areas. artup-nnm.org   TAOS MOUNTAIN BALLOON RALLY  |  October 28-30 Three festive days with brightly colored hot air balloons. taosballoonrally.com   TAOS COMMUNITY CHORUS – WINTER CONCERTS November 12-13 & 19-20 Performing “Solemn Mass in G”. taoschorus.org   RED RIVER OKTOBERFEST October 7-9  |  Authentic German food, music, arts, entertainment, family activities and more. redriver.org SABOR: A TASTE OF TAOS October 9  |  Taos Plaza. Celebrating flavors from Northern New Mexico kitchens taoschamber.com/sabor   TAOS COMMUNITY HALLOWEEN PARTY  October 31  |  Games, Prizes & Trick or Treat on Taos Plaza, Teresina Lane, John Dunn Shops & Bent St. taos.org FRANK MORGAN TAOS JAZZ FESTIVAL November 16-19 Four Nights / Four Venues taosjazz.org   FALL ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE  |  October 7-9 Millicent Rogers Museum. Show & sale of museum-quality antiques. millicentrogers.org KARLA BONOFF IN CONCERT October 14  |  Hear the velvety voice of one of America’s best singer/songwriters tcataos.org   DIXON STUDIO TOUR November 5-6  |  Embudo Valley. One of the most popular studio tours in the state. dixonarts.org   TAOS TURKEY TROT 5K ROAD RACE & FUN RUN  |  November 19, Taos Youth Center. A super fun morning for the entire family. taosturkeytrot.org

VISIT TAOS.ORG TO PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE Find out more at TAOS VISITOR CENTER  |  1139 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, New Mexico 87571  |  (575) 758-3873 You've received this email because you opted in. You can update your subscription preferences here or unsubscribe here. ©2016 Town of Taos and MarkeTaos, all rights reserved. Fall image by Michael DeYoung.

My best,
diane
October 4, 2016

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A Spring Hike- The Elliott Barker Trail

We decided to take Mosey on a hike last week. Mose is our beloved golden retriever who was diagnosed last December with cancer. In January the Radiologist gave him a prognosis of one to two months. The Oncologist said  "Who knows? He has a slow growing tumor. It could be months or even...if we are really lucky...a year or two." Six months in he is doing ok. The only symptom is heavy panting when he is a little bit winded due to the mass that surrounds his heart, lungs and esophagus. So we took it really easy the first few months...scared he was going to die any minute. Now we are taking more of a "bucket list" mentality. Making smart choices but finding activities that he loves and modifying to make it as easy as possible. Hiking is an example.

Mosey has always loved to go on hikes with us...but he just cannot do anything strenuous any more. So when we read about the Elliot Barker Trail in the Taos News a few weeks ago we knew we found a winner. As described by the paper:

"Climbing high above the Moreno Valley, the Elliott Barker Trail offers spectacular views of Angel Fire and Wheeler Peak. This system of trails was built through the cooperation of a citizen group from Angel Fire and the Carson National Forest. Connecting old logging roads and animal paths, the trails provide hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities through the ponderosa pine and aspen forest.

There are a variety of choices from the trailhead, which is located at approximately 8,500 feet, at the bottom of Palo Flechado Pass on US 64. For a short hike and a good picnic spot, continue from the trailhead straight ahead across the meadow and through the opening in the wooden fence. A small pond is visible just ahead."

Meadow? Short Hike? Picnic Spot?  Sold.  We went...We enjoyed...Mosey found the pond and two seconds later was happily swimming with a huge smile on his face. What a perfect day.

This is a beautiful hike. Late May delivered grass, wildflowers and warm temperatures. One day we will complete the entire hike (approximately 5 miles) to see more of the beautiful views. The article states:

"To continue higher, turn right and climb into the forest. There are aspen trees leafing in this section and signs of elk. Views of Angel Fire and the Moreno Valley open to your left and the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial is visible in the valley. Back over your shoulder are views of the Wheeler Peak ridge to the north. After a total of three miles from the start, the trail crosses the Bull Springs Meadows at 9,500 feet."

To read the complete article which includes the trail's history click here. And, whether you live here or plan to visit check out this beautiful hike. I sent these photos to my parents and my Dad said "Pine trees? Grass? Lots of green? This is not what I think of when I think of New Mexico. I think sage."  Well we do have lots of sage but this is Taos too. Everywhere you look it is beautiful. Hiking around Taos is the perfect way to enjoy the varied terrain.  Come and see for yourself.

DIRECTIONS

The trailhead is located 19.6 miles east on Kit Carson (US 64) from Taos Plaza. Go over Palo Flechado Pass. At the bottom of the hill and after mile marker 274, turn right into the trailhead. To start out from the top of the pass, park near the Palo Flechado historic sign and cross the highway to enter the trail area.

My best,
diane
May 30 , 2014

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Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu, New Mexico

It has been raining nonstop for the past 3 days.  Rain is predicted for the next 4 days. This is a normal occurrence for Northern California...in February. This is almost unheard of in Taos. We have been experiencing a severe drought. In fact, the past 3 years have been the driest since 1895.  I am excited to see the final numbers from this rainstorm and the impact on the drought.  I will update you in a future post.

But last week was sunny, warm and glorious.  We decided to take a day trip to Abiquiu, New Mexico and then hike at Ghost Ranch.  What a beautiful day.  You should do this.

Abiquiu is a small unincorporated village located about an hour west of Taos. Best known as the home of the artist Georgia O'Keeffe, now primarily an artist community.  There is an amazing open studios art festival held each year during Columbus Day weekend.  In addition to art, Abiquiu has some of the most beautiful scenery in New Mexico.  We had a picnic at the stunning Abiquiu lake located just a few minutes from the tiny town. Mosey had a terrific time swimming and we soaked up a bit of sun.  Perfect afternoon.

After lunch, we packed up and drove 14 miles north to Ghost Ranch, a 21,000 acre education and conference center known for their retreats, activities, nature, museums and lodging.  If you stay here you can enjoy horseback riding, swimming, tours, camping or stays in cute cottages and white water rafting   It is like summer camp for adults.  But if you come for just the day you can take advantage of the beauty by taking one of the 7 hikes on the property. We only had a few hours so we took the Box Canyon hike.  Check out the Ghost Ranch website for details of the other options.

Box Canyon is a fairly easy hike by New Mexico standards in that the grade only increases by 500 feet. (from 6400 to 6900 feet).  This California living at sea level all her life  girl still gets winded by some of the hikes around here with elevation changes of 3000-4000 ft!! (OK, I don't do those yet).  Box Canyon is about 4 miles round trip and you scramble over huge boulders at the end to take in the view. During the hike you will see a lovely pond, an arroyo, a small stream, beautiful rock formations and blue, blue sky. A perfect way to spend an afternoon. And only an hour from Taos. As always, I am so grateful to call this amazing place home.

My best,
diane
September 14th , 2013

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The Huffington Post Loves Taos

courtesy The Huffington Post

The Huffington Post "gets" Taos.  Thank you to Jenny Block for writing such an insightful and informative article listing eleven ways to experience this magical place.  I have done everything they recommend EXCEPT the llama trekking.  Trust me, I have now made this a priority. Read on for all of their suggestions...and come visit.  Soon!

my best,
diane
July 5th , 2013

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John Dunn Bridge Hike

John Dunn Bridge

Spring in Taos.  What a wonderful, unpredictable, ever changing time of year.  The weather can be cold and snowing or warm & sunny...sometimes in the same day.  I have survived my first Taos winter...and it was, surprisingly, easier than I thought.  Don't get me wrong.  Summer will always be my favorite season and flip flops remain my favorite type of footwear, but the crisp, cold, impossibly blue skies, bright sun and blindingly white snow days of a Taos winter have stolen my heart too.

snow covered tree branches-view through a skylight

Early Spring?  Not so much.  Late February and the beginning of March means snow melt (= mud) and lots and lots of high winds (= blowing dust & pollen).  So last Saturday, when we were blessed with our first 70 degree day of the season, we decided to explore the area around the John Dunn Bridge.   Taos Plaza.com describes the bridge this way:

"Top 5 Best Kept Secrets About Taos, New Mexico

1. The Rio Grande Gorge

One of the wildest places in all of the southwestern United States can be found in Taos County. At the New Mexico state line, the river is 200 feet down, the gorge 150 feet across. A bit further south, just west of the village of Questa, where Big Arsenic Spring bubbles from the rock and pinyon jays heap in the winter, the river is a glinting green ribbon eight hundred feet down.

At John Dunn Bridge the river enters The Box, an 18-mile stretch of 900 foot cliffs, famous among rafters and kayakers. This is also one of the great migratory bird routes in the world.

Eagles, falcons and hawks make the basalt walls of the Gorge their nesting homes. Ospreys, scaups, hummingbirds, herons, avocets, merlins and willits all traverse the Gorge. Numerous hiking trails lead into the gorge, the Cebolla Mesa Trail and La Junta trail being the best in my humble opinion. Ancient petroglyphs, hidden hot springs and outstanding fishing opportunities abound. If you’re lucky, you just might catch a glymps of the recently re-introduced river otter."
(for the remaing 4 secrets click here).

The drive to get to the bridge is an adventure in itself.  You first drive to the town of Arroyo Hondo (about 10 miles north of Taos)  and make a left at the street by "Herb's Lounge".  You drive about 5 miles on a dirt road which follows part of the Rio Grande until you arrive at the bridge.  From there you can park and hike, fish, picnic, raft, kayak and/or just enjoy the breathtaking views.  A favorite experience is hiking down to the Stage Coach Hot Springs reached by driving(or hiking) up the hillside and hiking about 1/2 mile down.

What a wonderful day!  Sun, warm weather, blue skies, blue water, birds, fish, happy dog, peaceful humans...We will be back---often.

You might be asking yourself...Who is John Dunn and why does he have a bridge named after him?  John Dunn is part of Taos' history...and, as they say...a legend in this town.  For many years he owned the only bridge and the only stagecoach here.  He is described as quite a character.  For a more complete background check out the bio on the John Dunn Shops website.
 

mosey loved his hike!

Spring in Taos...I love it as much as Winter...and Fall...and Summer (ok, Summer wins)...but year round, this place is amazing.  If you live here, aren't we lucky?  If you don't, come visit...really, plan your trip now.  This place is magic.

my best,
diane
April 3, 2013

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