Taos, New Mexico June 16 – June 23, 2024
Taos was our last stop in New Mexico. We drove through the mountains on a small road to reach Taos. The drive was very pretty. We followed another camper almost the entire way and later found out they left the same campground from Sante Fe and were staying at the same campground in Taos. We got together with them several times during our stay.
Taos has a similar, but smaller, shopping district than Santa Fe. Both are walkable with many stores dedicated to New Mexican products. I liked Taos much more because it was less crowded and smaller.
Since Taos is a town in New Mexico, it has – you guessed it – a pueblo. Taos Pueblo is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States. It is designated as a World Heritage Site and National Historic Site for the ancient adobe architecture. Unlike Acoma Pueblo (near Albuquerque) , Taos Pueblo has utilities. Many of the structures have been converted into stores for local merchandise. The cost to enter was a little pricey to walk around and shop in the stores.
Christopher “Kit” Carson is Taos’ most famous resident. So – he has a museum dedicated to his life in Taos. The museum emphasizes his accomplishments like one of the first western explorers, a transcontinental courier, a US Indian agent and an officer in the New Mexico Volunteer Army. The museum glosses over the demise of his first 2 wives (all were American Indians) , and just provided information about his 3rd wife. The museum was small as it was located in his home in Taos and was not well maintained.
Another attraction in Taos is the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. The gorge trail traveled along the edge of the Gorge and we were able to view the bridge and the gorge from several angles.
The couple we followed to Taos (Charlie and Adele), joined us to drive the Enchanted Circle. This National Forest Scenic Byway circles Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico at 13,161 feet. The trip is 84 miles and encompasses the towns of Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. Most of the towns were pretty small and not worth stopping, except for Red River. Red River is several blocks long with shops and restaurants. We stopped in Red River Brewery for lunch and it was pretty good.
At long last, our trip through New Mexico is over and we are headed to Colorado!
“New Mexico (Kind of Thing)” by Billy Dawson