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Dates of visit:
June 1, 2001 -
June 21, 2001
We rate this visit a:
Visit Highlights:
 Welcome to NM
Long time no see
See Rio Grande Gorge
Visit Red River
Drive Enchanted Loop
Explore Taos Valley
Warm Days
Cool Nights
Visit Chama
Scenic Railway Trip
Dine OUT, drink IN
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| They came ... they saw ... they liked ... they came back.
The first trip down south was so successful that the "Three Amigos" elected to try again. This time to Taos, in the northern part of New Mexico. Warm days with cool nights was the attraction.
The amigos planned nothing in advance ... allowing things to again "go with the flow". Rest, relaxation, sightseeing, and just plain "sitting and rotting" were on the agenda. With plenty of cerveza in the cooler and a tank full of gas, the boys spent three full weeks in "the land of enchantmentt". We paid two visits to the out-of-state-visitors ... to make certain they all had a good time ... plus to enjoy that part of the state that is distant from our home in Las Cruces.
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At the Gorge
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So much to see ... and only three weeks.
No time was wasted in exploring the greater Taos Valley and surrounds. Before we arrived on the scene ... the amigos explored enough of the Town of Taos and some surrounding attractions that they were giving us the royal tour.
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| Northern New Mexico offers many opportunities to experience Anglo and Hispanic cultures. Besides the myriad of galleries, shops and scenic attractions that Taos offers ... more exciting venues are easily reached within 1 - 2 hours outside of the Town of Taos. The Enchanted Loop, the Rio Grande Gorge, The Bridge over the Gorge, Indian Pueblos, National Forests, Ghost Ranches, Alpine Scenic Railroads and National Monuments are among the many attractions.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we will dispense with "telling" you about most of the attractions and simply provide you with a pictorial journey that says it all visually. Come and join us as we join the "Three Amigos" in exploring Northern New mexico.
After a hardy breakfast it's off to see the wonders.
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| Trip Gallery - (06-05-2001)
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| Rio Grande Gorge |
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| The Enchanted Loop |
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| Rio Grande Gorge Bridge |
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The C&TSR steam engine
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What an experience. A decision was made to drive two hours to Chama and take the scenic Cumbres & Toltec train from Antonito, CO to Chama, NM. Arriving early, we boarded a luxurious bus and were driven to the depot at Antonito where we boarded the steam driven train for a 64-mile journey through some of the most breathtaking vistas in the United States.
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| The 6-hour train ride resulted in memorable images that deserve their own page to fully describe our experience. Follow the link below to take you on a voyage into the 1880s ... so hop aboard, step into another era and enjoy the trip.
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
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Ceremonial Cave Kiva
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In 1880, a 40-year old self-taught anthropologist named Adolph F.S. bandelier came to New Mexico territory with the ambitious goal of tracing the social organization, customs, and movements of southwestern and Mexican people.
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| Men from Cochiti Pueblo guided Bandelier to their ancestral homes in Frijoles Canyon in 1880. With its sheer cliffs, year-round stream, and distinctive cave-room architecture, the canyon captured his imagination. In 1890 he made the canyon and dwellings the scene of his novel, "The Delight Makers", depicting Pueblo life in pre-Spanish times.
Visit with us the place known as Bandelier National Monument and see what he saw.
Bandelier National Monument
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Colfax, NM
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Cimarron, NM that wild and unruly town. Although technically not a ghost town it is today an important link to two of New Mexico's most important people ... Lucien Maxwell and Kit Carson. Walk the streets of Cimarron ... view the remaining vestages of the largest land-grant in the history of the United States.
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| Then on to Dawson ... site of the worst mining disaster in this country's history ... then to Colfax, a "land promoter's ghost".
Cimarron, NM Historic Town
Dawson & Colfax, New Mexico Ghost Towns
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