Explore the history of Santa Fe and northern New Mexico on a baby boomer road trip. When Alan and I traveled to Santa Fe, we drove the Enchanted Circle Highway. In today’s guest post, Billie Frank of The Santa Fe Traveler, takes us on a boomer trip on the High Road to Taos.
Santuario de Chimayo
Visiting picturesque Taos is a great addition to any baby boomer trip to Santa Fe. The historic town (the Pueblo dates back about 1,000 years) is know for its artists and bohemian lifestyle. Boomers planning to explore the town should make this road trip an all-day affair. A great way to go is up on the High and back on the Low Road. Winding through the Sangre de Christo Mountains en route is very scenic with spectacular views.
The first stop on the high road is historic Chimayó. A visit to Santuario de Chimayó, a church famous for healing miracles, is a must. Also stop at one or more of the weaving shops. Chimayó weaving has been passed down through families for generations. There are several shops owned by the Ortega and the Trujillo families famous for their craft. If you are ready for lunch or a snack, try Leona’s, the tamale stand adjacent to the church or dine at Rancho de Chimayó, known for its New Mexican food. This popular restaurant has fed people for over 40 years.
Leaving Chimayó, the road winds through old mountain villages settled hundreds of years ago by Hispanic immigrants to the New World. Rumor has it that until the mid-1960’s, English was rarely spoken here and that the people spoke a Spanish that had close ties to 15th Century Castilian. One of the interesting things about this area is the presence of the people known as Crypto Jews. These are descendants of Jews who fled Spain during the Inquisition who had to renounce their faith in order to survive. The rituals from their original religion were passed down generations, usually with only one family member, if that, aware of their heritage.
Truchas, a bit up the road from Chimayó is famous as the town where Robert Redford filmed [amazonify]B0007QJ210::text::::The Milagro Beanfield Wars[/amazonify] in 1988. In Las Trampas, take a right and view the historic church, circa 1760. Artists who cannot afford Santa Fe rents have moved to these mountain towns and opened galleries. Baby boomer art lovers will enjoy the High Road Art Tour held the last two weekends in September.
A little past Peñasco, make a left onto NM 518. The road takes you through Kit Carson National Forest with its alpine landscape and beautiful views. When the road meets 68 at Rancho de Taos, turn right, Taos is minutes up the road. A jog to the left will take you to Church of San Francisco de Assisi dating to the late 18th Century. This adobe structure may look familiar. It was painted by Georgia O’Keeffe and photographed by Ansel Adams; many other artists have been inspired by it.
If you have questions or want information about the town, stop at the Taos Visitor’s Center on the right as you come into town. Taos has attracted artists since the beginning of the 20th Century. The Taos Society of Artists was formed in 1915 and in the 1920s, heiress Mabel Lodge Luhan brought Georgia O’Keeffe and D. H. Lawrence to town.
To get a feel for Taos, stroll the streets around the Plaza. Check out the historic La Fonda Hotel and charming Bent Street. Shop, dine, people watch and soak in the historical surroundings. The Harwood Museum on narrow Ledoux Street is worth a visit. If you are a fan of Native American and Spanish Colonial art and handcrafts, the Millicent Rodgers Museum, northwest of town, is a must-see. Millicent Rodgers was an heiress (Standard Oil), a jewelry designer and a serious collector of both genres. The collection is superb. On the way to the museum, you’ll pass the thousand-year-old Taos Pueblo. This is one of two historic Pueblos in New Mexico currently occupied. Take a tour with a Pueblo guide. If you want to take photos you must buy a permit. Other historic attractions include the Kit Carson House and the Martinez Hacienda.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Northwest on NM 64 is the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, fifth highest bridge in the US. Park your car and take a walk on the bridge for spectacular views of the gorge. Baby boomers with height issues should beware, the bridge vibrates and is not for the faint of heart.
When done exploring Taos, return to Santa Fe on the Low Road (NM 68, becoming US 285 and NM 84 at Espanola. The route wends through the Rio Grande Valley. As an alternative, you can go up the Low Road and back down the High Road, either one will get you there. The trip takes about an hour-and-a-half (less if traffic is light) on the Low Road, about two hours on the High Road.
Billie Frank, a former Santa Fe hotel concierge, owns The Santa Fe Traveler, a travel concierge and trip planning service for visitors to Santa Fe. Billie also writes about Santa Fe for Examiner.com. Follow her on Twitter @santafetraveler.
Have you driven the High Road to Taos? Post a comment to share your experience. Alan and I are itching to explore again.
Disclosure: This is not a paid or sponsored post. Billie offered solid information about the High Road to Taos that we thought our baby boomer readers would enjoy. I have included an Amazon link to The Milagro Beanfield Wars for your convenience, however My Itchy Travel Feet does receive a small percentage for purchases made at Amazon.com.
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Twitter: kerrydexter
June 24, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Billie has packed a lot to do into a day trip. She did not mention the Martinez Hacienda and the Kit Carson House, though, both of which give a real idea of what life was like in the rather isolated community of Taos at different times in history. I lived in Taos for a while, and I would also add that every season — even 'mud season' in the spring when you'll likely be covered in what they make those adobe walls out of some of the time –has its own beauty.
This was on my list of possible summer trips (didn't get chosen for this year). One question – how do you pronounce Taos?
Lovely guide and post. Definitely something I'll bookmark.
I love Taos. So fun to revisit through this post!
Hi!
I read you post so interesting, thanks for sharing it. While reading it I felt like I been there in the way you describe the place, my imagination got into the highest thinking.
I really like your post.
It's been years since I visited Santa Fe and Taos but I recall how lovely the area was and I particularly enjoyed the crisp, clean high desert air. The light has a special quality in that part of the country, great for photographers like me.
But is Taos Pet friendly? When I went to college in Santa Fe it did not matter to me but now 35 years later my husband and I want to go to our college reunion with our dog (children are grown and out of the house..they went to the last reunion with us) any chance Taos will welcome us with our dog?
Twitter: DonnaLHull
December 12, 2011 at 8:10 am
Andrea, I’m not sure about the pet-friendliness of Taos. But I’ve put the word out to a couple of my expert friends. Maybe their comments will help you out.
Donna asked me to reply. With open arms! There are inns that accept pets. In warm weather pets are welcome on dining patios. The Taos Visitors’ Center affirms that the town is pet-friendly. They actually have a pet guide. They suggested calling The Taos News and asking if they would send you a copy. Hope this addresses your question.
santafetraveler recently posted..Christmas Eve in Santa Fe
Twitter: DonnaLHull
December 13, 2011 at 6:11 am
Santafetraveler, thanks for offering expert advice about traveling with pets to Taos.
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