Today we took the Low Road and the High Road. Driving to Taos you can take Hwy284/68 and follow the Rio Grande River and it's what is known as the Low Road. Or you might opt to take Hwy 503/76/75/518 traveling through several small towns. This route is mostly in the Carson National Forest and reaches nearly 8500' elevation. We chose to take the Low Road up to Taos.
The cottonwoods along the Rio Grande were in full color on the Low Road.
We didn't spend much time in the old downtown as we wanted to see several things. First was the bridge over the Rio Grande Gorge, then taking the 80+ mile loop north of Taos, called the Enchanted Loop which is also in the high elevations of the Carson National Forest. We made the decision to return to Santa Fe via the High Road.
Kit Carson home and museum.
We were advised to take something to eat on our loop so instead we had lunch in Taos. We were looking for a place when a woman who was arranging a display of clothing in front of her shop asked what we were looking for. She recommended a small place a couple of doors down. It didn't look like much but the food was very good and the green chili sauce served with my chili rellenos was the best green chili sauce I have had. Linda's tacos were very good also.
Much of old Taos looks like old Santa Fe.
After lunch we drove out to the Rio Grande Gorge bridge. Driving across you can park on the north side then walk across or out as far as you like. Lots of people were checking out the views.
The bridge is 565' above the river.
About halfway down the cliffs of the gorge on the south side of the bridge was a stop sign. If someone threw it off and it landed there they were extremely lucky. If they climbed down the cliffs to put it there they were extremely crazy.
We decided to forgo the Enchanted Loop as the mountains to the north were socked in with clouds and there were some heavy rain showers near them. It would have been after 6 pm before we got back to the trailer and take care of Sadie's needs.
On the way back via the High Road there were some Aspens at the higher elevations but most had already lost their leaves. When we saw some with leaves and nice color there was nowhere to stop. Much of it is pine, cedar, some oak and aspen. As we got to some to the lower elevations we were back into the cottonwoods and lots of color.
Both were pretty drives and worth the time we spent. Some recommend taking the High Road going to Taos and the quicker Low Road on the return. Others say the views are better taking the High Road from Taos to Santa Fe. I think the latter may be better but not having done the reverse I can't really say.
Wednesday 10/22
From the picture below you can clearly see what today was about. In case you haven't guessed the sign on the left is a clue. I'll turn it over to Linda to tell you about it. Linda says: I really loved this quilt shop. The inventory really focused on the southwest. I purchased a pattern and some fabric for a table runner...not shown here. I had seen postcards with the pickup truck below in several shops. I think I even saw THE truck, painted very colorfully on our trip yesterday returning from Taos.
Of course we weren't finished as there is a quilt shop 70 miles east in Las Vegas, NM. Our friends from Chicago had traveled Route 66 from Long Beach to Chicago in 2013 and had visited the town and said it was very quaint. So, ultimately it wasn't just for the quilt shop.
The center of Old Las Vegas is the Plaza, of course, and in the Plaza was this large wooden statue that Linda really liked.
The Plaza.
The Plaza Hotel and the adjoining building weren't like some of the adobe buildings we saw as we entered town. Interesting architecture.
This is the ThreadBear Quilt shop. Again, Linda will tell you about it. I was on a bench in the plaza with Sadie. Per Linda: I was also impressed with this shop as there were some very appealing (to me) quilts hanging which portrayed designs of the southwest. The two below are Navajo designs. The larger quilt with the 12 different designs was called "Old Navajo Sampler". I would have purchased the pattern but they wanted $25 for it; a little more than I was willing to spend as I've already spent a fortune on things I probably won't have time to finish in my lifetime. If I do decide I really need it I can always order it, right?
We stopped at the drug store on the left for some ice cream. It had the look of a soda fountain with tables to sit and enjoy your choice of treats. The freezer case was empty and the place was pretty bare other the actual drug portion of the store. The lady apologized but it was the end of the tourist season and they probably couldn't sell enough ice cream to keep it fresh. We really didn't need ice cream anyway.
Upon returning to Santa Fe we had a very nice dinner at Tomasita's. This place was recommended in several publications we read, so we figured it would be good. We weren't disappointed.
Tomorrow we move on to Canyon de Chelly near Chinle, AZ.
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