The High Road to Taos

Yesterday was another rainy day, but with the addition of snow and a little hail mixed in.  We stayed inside once again.  In a way it was nice to see the snow.  The ground was far to warm for it to stick, but it was beautiful falling. This morning dawned bright, with clear blue skies.  On the recommendation of one of our readers, we took the “high road to Taos” and what a beautiful drive it was.  That snow which did stick at higher elevations created a beautiful backdrop for our drive today.

This scenic byway combines several routes together which wind through the Sangre De Cristo Mountains to the small town of Taos.  Along the way, we passed several old churches, but perhaps the most interesting was Santuario de Chimayo.  This is the destination for the largest Holy Week Pilgrimage in the United States.  Beginning last Wednesday and continuing through Good Friday, we saw many people walking along the highway toward this small adobe church.  Thousands were there on Friday to pray and give thanks.  Many of these pilgrims believe that the dirt found here, blessed by the priest, has healing powers.  To avoid the crowds, we decided to do this trip to Taos today rather than last week.

drying racks

Our primary goal in Taos was the Taos Pueblo.  Now a World Heritage Site, this pueblo is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in the US.  The Taos Pueblo is the home of the Red Willow People and it is maintained in its traditional state.  The large buildings are actually small individual dwellings which are family owned.  Each family is responsible for maintaining their home.  The Tribal Council has imposed restrictions of no running water and no electricity within the pueblo in order to maintain the traditions of the original pueblo.  The only exception has been the addition of modern doorways as entrances to replace the traditional entrances through the roofs.

Most of the Red Willow People live in more modern homes outside the walls of the Pueblo.  However, there are about 70 full times residents who live in the traditional dwellings.

San Geranimo Church built in 1850

All that remains of the original church built in 1619

Many of the dwellings are now shops from which the native people sell handmade jewelry and other craft items.  There were a couple shops selling food items and that is where we found ourselves—looking for dessert.

Fry Bread made while we waited

Speaking of food, we didn’t pack a picnic today.  Instead, Gene had a notion for pizza and we found Taos Pizza Out Back.  It was a little building set back from the road and behind a beauty salon.  Though not as large, the menu was more on the order of Mellow Mushroom where you can get many “nonstandard” pizza toppings.  Gene chose the Ranchero which had sundried tomatoes, green chilies, and Italian sausage.  He declared his huge slice “very good”.  I had a Greek salad, which was good, but not outstanding.  Then again, what can you do with lettuce.

We had spent so much time at Santuario de Chimayo and at the Pueblo that we didn’t have much time to spend in the town of Taos.  We parked near the plaza and took a quick walk around.  The central plaza, a small park, is lined on all four sides by shops and boutiques.  Some serious shopping could be done here.

Santuario de Chimayo

Notice the collection of walking sticks

Tomorrow will be a busy chore day trying to get ready to move to Albuquerque for the rally.