New Mexico state of mind

I just started to get a little bit nostalgic for New Mexico. For whatever reasons, there are just certain places that grab a hold of you and never quite let go. For me, so far in this lifetime, those places have been Maine, San Francisco, Paris, Greece, and New Mexico. Perhaps I will add to this list on my upcoming journey.

Whenever I need my faraway fix of New Mexico beauty, I log on to http://www.geraintsmith.com/ and get caught up on the Photo of the Day. Geraint is an amazingly talented photographer and all-around awesome person. It's hard to describe why you like someone's work or not, but I think what I love about his images is that they are simple yet stunning. Definitely check out his website!


A fence is an odd choice I know, especially when there's so much wide-open breathtakingly beautiful scenery out there. I loved these fences, though - a good use of the resources and a work of art in their own right.

Last night in Taos

So tonight is my last night in Taos. As is the case almost every night here, the sunset was spectacular.

It's just hard to beat such magnificent views from the road. Most of the time at dusk I feel like I'm walking around in a pastel painting.

I got a short hike in today. These juniper berries just happened to be catching the light in a really lovely way.

Originally I had wanted to drive up to El Salto waterfall, of which I have pictures from April. However, I decided that the road was just too rough for the Cruiser (I've already had to have one tire repaired from a puncture), so I turned around and found another hiking spot. I felt good about my decision when I saw this car:

... just kidding, this was where I did end up hiking, but parked safely up above.

Taos Pueblo

I visited the pueblo in town today. It's one of the oldest inhabited Native American pueblos in the country. It was interesting to see, but also left me with a strange feeling. The buildings are simple, made of adobe - earth, water, and straw. There are dogs running around everywhere, though you're not supposed to pet them. Nearly every building has a shop inside selling pottery, jewelry, or food. There were a lot of tourists milling about and I just couldn't help but feel that it was somehow a cheapening of something really cool. Again, worth seeing but not necessarily an uplifting experience.

A common occurrence

I've heard that New Mexico has 300 days of sunshine a year. Even in the winter I guess it's sunny during the day and snows at night. At this time of year the trend appears to be sun most of the day and an afternoon shower. Perfect for gardening. After these showers, the sun usually reappears, leading of course to a rainbow. I saw one last week and didn't have my camera, but Mother Nature did not disappoint and sure enough, yesterday there was another... and another. Rainbows are pretty amazing. There were a few other people pulled off to the side of the road snapping photos, but it looks like the cows around here are pretty used to them.

The Rio Grande

Well, there's just no denying that this is one of the most beautiful areas in the country. Yesterday we hiked down to the Rio Grande and some natural hot springs. It was hot, but luckily I put enough sunscreen on... all it takes is one good burn to learn your lesson! Here is a view on the way down:




A cricket that was kind enough to let me photograph him (her?)


After the hike, we drove to a bridge that crosses the river. In the parking area are several vendors selling everything from jewelry to emu oil. (Who knew you could get oil from an emu?!) This bus is solar-powered and offers smoothies and shakes. And I thought Berkeley had a big hippie influence...

Backyard

So here's what my backyard currently looks like:


I'm living in a valley and a short hike up the road gives this view. Not bad, hey? Along the path are all sorts of flowers I've never seen before. There are also a lot of ants. Here's a pic of a flower bud, some sort of sunflower, and if you look closely you can see the ant hanging off the bottom of it. There were actually way more around back, but I didn't linger too long as I needed to make sure I was back in time to get to my first ever acupuncture treatment, which was amazing. Pics of the jars and jars of herbs on her wall to come...

Welcome Back to Taos!

I got a very kind email with the above message from a photographer out here who I am looking forward to meeting. Welcome back, indeed. There is something truly magical about this place. Everywhere you turn there are beautiful views, mountains in nearly every direction, it seems.


Yesterday included an almost two-hour yoga class (!), errands around town, and a trip up to Taos Ski Valley, which is unbelievably steep. The town of Taos is at 7,000 feet above sea level, and the mountain ranges from 9,200 to 12,000. Whoa!

Yoga in the desert

Just back from another fantastic trip to the southwest. Highlights included hot springs (of course!), camping, hiking, a groovin' concert, and just all-around positive vibes. It goes without saying that I can't wait to return.

Still on vacation in my mind...

Somehow I have managed to hold on to the blissful feeling I tapped into during my vacation to New Mexico. This is another picture taken on my sunset hike outside of Taos. It's amazing to think of how the decisions you make can completely change the course of your life. Every day I am amazed, more so than usual these days. It seems that anything is possible... I found this great quote as I was planning for my yoga class: “There is a criterion by which you can judge whether the thoughts you are thinking and the things you are doing are right for you. The criterion is: Have they brought you inner peace? If they have not, there is something wrong with them - so keep seeking! If what you do has brought you inner peace, stay with what you believe is right.” (Peace Pilgrim)

Cool random things

We went to a coffee shop in Albuquerque around the corner from the hostel on Sunday morning, and randomly there happened to be this guy there playing guitar and singing. Really? On a Sunday morning? How cool is that? Wait... is that Willie Nelson??

Earthships

Some friends and I went to visit an earthship community near Taos. What is an earthship, you ask? It's a strange name, I'll admit, but an amazing concept in green living. For a thorough explanation, visit http://www.earthship.net/web/. It's a totally self-sustaining home, harnessing the power of the sun, wind, rain water and melting snow. Truly amazing. And each one is unique to the people who build it, with special artistic touches throughout. I'm sold; I would definitely like to build and live in one someday...


These are the walls of the home, old tires filled with dirt. The aluminum cans help with insulation. All of this is then mudded over.


Can you imagine having this as your backyard?!?


Inside the home. Lots of glass jars are used as well, which add amazing color and shine.

Terra Encantada

So, New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. It could not be more aptly named. I just returned from a week-long visit that included Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos. I wasn't truly drawn in until I drove into Taos, turning a corner with the backdrop of unbelievably huge mountains and the Rio Grande gorge in view. Oh, and the stars... you have no concept of how many there are up there until you shed some of that man-made light below. WOW. So, I think the next thousand entries will be dedicated to the beauty of New Mexico. I'm thoroughly enchanted.