Taos, New Mexico.
Change in itinerary today. We were going to head to Durango to take a several hour excursion on the Durango and Silverton rail, into the San Juan mountains, but of course on the very and only day we can do that trip (tomorrow was the plan), they’re have no seats. So, instead, we’ll cut that section of our trip out, and instead head directly for Taos, New Mexico today, which, with this new route, turns out to just 2½ hours from where we are right now, in Colorado City, and we’ll spend the night in Taos tonight. Bev and I visited Taos twice, and Bev was there one other time (maybe two, but I’m not sure), and we loved Taos, and Santa Fe, which we’ll hit next, after Taos. Last time we were in Taos, I got very close to a rattle snake on an off-road and overgrown trail by the Rio Grande Gorge, and only knew because of the very clear warning rattle.
This change in itinerary will either give us a couple of extra days to play around with, or get back to Berkeley a couple of days early, which will probably be better for Kaye as her next (and last) semester is about to begin. As for the Durango and Silverton rail, Kaye really is fine with skipping that (although maybe she doesn’t know what she’s missing), and I may be able to take that trip myself (maybe), when I’m heading back this way sometime in early September.
Here’s a peak at our trip so far.
The drive down through southern Colorado to Taos was both leisurely and pleasant, with good conversation. Lots of Colorado prairie land, right out of a western movie, dotted along the way by some small towns.
Bev and I were in Taos twice, in 2019 and again with Marguerite in 2021, and Bev was here once before that with the Baltimore Girls Club in 2002. We really enjoyed this place and its character, and found it and Santa Fe, which we’ll visit tomorrow, refreshing and uplifting.
Kaye and I arrived in Taos around 1:30, with lovely weather again, although once again there was rain in the air. In fact, it did rain, slightly, on and off during the afternoon and early evening. Some dramatic lightning as well, at times.
Kaye and I released some of Bev’s ashes in the main plaza and also in the Kit Carson State Park. We also released ashes at the Rio Grande Gorge, which we visited a little later in the day. We enjoyed this area, and it seemed fitting for some of Bev to stay here. We also visited the Taos Pueblo, as I did with Bev, and I wanted to spread ashes there, but wasn’t able to.
Kaye and I only spent perhaps 35 minutes at the Pueblo, as we got there late in the afternoon and it closes to the public at 4. I was so glad to be here with Kaye, and wish I could have been here with both Bev and Kaye, but being here with Kaye, in Taos and this area that Bev and I enjoyed so much, was important to to me, and felt special. I don’t know why the southwest felt so good for both Bev and me, but it did.
Going up to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and the Rio Grande river 600 feet below was exhilarating. Bev and I were here just a few years ago, and it’s very clear in my memory (including the rattle snake which scared me off), and being here without Bev was sad. Being with Kaye helped both softened and heightened that memory. I spread some of Bev’s ashes here.
The Rio Grande far below the bridge appeared golden at this time of day, and the photos below actually do a good job of showing that. A golden thread snaking through the deep gorge below. Incredible and beautiful.
After another very nice day we had dinner and headed back to our hotel for the night – and I wrote this blog for the day.
