Sante Fe
Jake got the morning off on our first day when I went on to explore Sante Fe. It was a good thing because it was a beautiful city with hot, narrow streets. I headed for the center of the town, the central Plaza of Sante Fe. The buildings were uniformly one or two-story buildings finished the same color. Adobe Pink?
In the center of the plaza was a place where a monument used to be. I learned that whatever was there was torn down by protestors and replaced with an ugly box painted the same fucking Adobe Pink. On the nasty box was a faded message from the city council explaining that it had been removed. Then there was a QR code you could barely see anymore. Supposedly this would tell you what was there and why it was removed.
Other than that, the town was full of beautiful people walking around looking at their phones instead of all these beautiful Adobe Pink buildings. Inside these buildings were art and specialty stores with very expensive and very nice stuff. Whatever you wanted: Art of all persuasions, an oxygen bar, chic clothing, very upscale-looking restaurants and bars. And lots and lots of beautiful people. My time to leave – but first merch! I found some very cool and unique merch.
High Road to Taos
This collection of two-lane roads leads to Taos through the southernmost Sangre de Cristo Mountains. We left early to beat the heat.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains is the southernmost range of the Rocky Mountains. This part of the drive went through Badlands and the Carson National Forrest.
There were many pueblos along the way, many with histories dating to the 1700s. The area was very rural.
The lower part of the road had scenic pines and juniper trees that look so splendid against the light brown hillsides.
We came across several graveyards. Many of the graves were colorfully decorated. This must be the tradition that is reflected in the highly colorful figurines made by native craftspeople.
The final part of the road took us through Carson National Forrest and some spectacular vistas.
Taos itself was a huge disappointment. Like a smaller, crapper version of Sante Fe. In addition, instead of just having a monument destroyed, they destroyed the whole fucking plaza in Taos, it seems!
Another weird town with a weird vibe. I mean, the whole place looks like it’s in a bit of a state of disrepair or something.
We took the low road back. Highway 62 winds down the long Rio Grande River Valley. It would have been a pleasant drive except for sprawling desert towns with strip malls and lots of stoplights designed to slow you down. The section along the Rio Grande gave some good views of the rapidly flowing water.
Pecos National Historical Park
Our last day turned out to be the best as far as exploring. We visited the park on advice from an AI (Google in this case) who listed it as #1 and close by. The reviews looked good, so off we went, early as usual.
The valley we are staying on is part of the Sante Fe trail. This was a well-used wagon train trail and then a railroad line that opened up this part of the West. The Pecos Pueblo had been abandoned by that time.
The original dwelling dates back to the 11th century. Because of its location, this pueblo was large and successful by the 13th century. There were estimated to have 2000 inhabitants.
Then the Spanish came and built a church. The Native Americans revolted and burned it down.
They built another oneβmanifest destiny. Same story as everywhere else the Europeans and then Americans eventually subjugated the native people.
Eventually, their proud society – known originally by the name “500 Warriors” – has all but vanished. The pueblo was abandoned in the early 1800s. The descendants still celebrate their heritage. In recent years, they successfully returned sacred artifacts from the archeologists who removed them. The museum spoke to that, and I found it incredibly moving.
The Hollywood Actress Greer Garson and her Oil Barron Husband eventually became the owner of the land near the Pueblo ruins and donated it to the state to become the park. The staff was very friendly, and the exhibits were some of the best I had ever seen.
An enthusiastic ranger told me they had recently reworked the exhibits to tell the story of the Native Americans as well as the exploits of our Foundering Fathers.
Yes – it is officially woke – and I enjoyed every fuckling bit of it. Thank you very much.
We spent the rest of the day relaxing, shopping for some New Mexico Herb (expensive), and doing some house cleaning. The weather was perfect in the afternoon with clouds, a breeze, and temps in the mid-80s.
We drop down into the desert tomorrow and forecasted temperatures over 100F π₯΅ for the coming week.
