Saturday, September 21, 2024

Taos


We drove south to Walsenburg and ate at Georges’s diner. We headed west into the mountains; Sandi drove in heavy rain, all the way to Taos. We ran into construction and rush hour in Taos. Our B&B, Old Taos Guesthouse is lovely. We ate at Antonios; our waiter was the owner. His sister-in-law seated us. Richard was pleased to see chiles en Nogado on the menu.





The Taos Pueblo, about 1000 years old, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A young lady named Turquoise gave us a group tour of the pueblo. She talked about several revolts and colonizers. The old church was demolished by US cannon fire during one revolt. We visited several artists, and bought some small items.




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 Next we went to historic Taos, had lunch at Manzanita Market, and visited several shops, including Mooncat Yarn, Common Threads, Opcit books, galleries, and Taos Rockers rock shop. The rock shop owner was a geologist, who also designs patterns for knitters. We had an inexpensive dinner at La Cueva; the owner is from Guanajuato.



Thursday we headed north to the Rio Grande Bridge, over the dramatic Rio Grande caƱon. Sandi bought a pair of beaded earrings from a Guatemala lady; there were many vendors set up there.


We continued to Arroyo Seco, where we visited Taos Wools; Sandi may take a weaving class there at some point. We ate lunch at Sol Restaurant. The town is delightfully arty and funky. We drove the twisty road to Taos Ski Valley, where Richard skied many years before.


We went on to the Millicent Rogers museum. It is a large museum of Southwestern Art, with pottery, jewelry, and wood carving.


We had dinner at La Terraza restaurant, and went across the street to Taos Llfestyle, a furniture store with an open area for concerts and events. The speaker was Mirribai Starr. She read from her book, Ordinary Mysticism. Sandi wanted to hear her, and she got her book signed.



Friday we went to the small community market at Talpa, and then to the famous San Francisco de Asis adobe church. It was too early for lunch, so we took a drive on the High Road to Taos. We had lunch at the Trading Post Market in Rancho de Taos.




In the afternoon we visited a used bookstore, Somos, and bought some $1 books


We had a light dinner at a new Lebanese restaurant, the Earth oven.


The artist's unique Nativity scene, with Jesus, Mary and Joseph on one motorcycle, and the three kings behind

In the evening we went to the Harwood museum, to see a very impressive show of work by Nicholas Herrara. He is a folk artist, making pieces tied to the religious and cultural traditions of northern New Mexico. This was an opening, so we got to meet the artist.



Our drive home was routine. We started up the trail to the Stations of the Cross in San Luis, but rain turned us around.


All in all a great trip.  We did a lot.


 





Friday, September 13, 2024

Upper Green River paddle

I am continuing my project to paddle the length of the Green River.  Earlier this year, I paddled 80 miles with my friend Dave.  On this trip, Tom and I picked up where Dave and I had left off.


On Thursday, I drove up to Reardon Draw Campground, near Big Piney Wyoming.  Tom and Joan had already arrived.   The campground was primitive but not bad, with shade, and space for a few campers.  Joan cooked us a nice dinner.  She cooked dinner and breakfast for us each day.

On Friday, Joan drove us up to the Green River, east of Big Piney.   The river looked very low, considering that the gauge said 500 cfs.  A few miles below the put in, the New River joined the Green, and added a lot more water.  This area is ranchland; with some irrigation to grow alfalfa or grass for cattle.  There was some wind, but not too bad.  Our highlight of the day was seeing a moose.  When we got to where we had planned to take out, after 15 miles, we decided to continue on the 3 miles to camp.     

On Saturday, we planned to paddle 15 miles to Whelan Bridge, near LaBarge.   The weather was perfect, blue skies, no wind.  We did enjoy a bald eagle flying not far over our heads.  When we got to the Bridge Tom thought that we should continue, since things were going so well.   Of course, once we resumed paddling, the wind picked up, but not too bad.  The next take out was at Names campground, an additional 8 miles.  By the time we had gotten to Names, we were tired.  Joan picked us up.  My plan had us paddling the 40 miles from Big Piney to Names in three days, but we did it in two days. 

Beyond Names is Fontenelle Reservoir, which I plan to paddle in 2025.  I am getting very close to completing the Green River.  I need Fontenelle and a few days below Fontenelle.  I also need about four days south of Vernal Utah.  With any luck, I will finish the Green River in 2025.

Sunday, I drove home, with a stop to go to mass in Spanish in Rock Springs.  I was quite tired when I got home.