After an uneventful trip across southeastern CO from La Junta to Trinidad, Scout and I crossed over Raton Pass and into NM on August 3rd. There had been a forest fire on the pass and the blackened trees and soil were disturbing to see. However, from the top of Raton, you can see forever and ever into the northern part of NM and that was totally glorious. After I hit the plains, I turned back west into the mountains, drove past the entrance to Philmont Boy Scout Camp, and turned once more into the mountains. The air was fresh and clean so I rolled down all the windows as we climbed the pass to Eagle Nest, which was just drop-dead gorgeous.
From there, we dropped down into Taos where it took me no time at all to be totally overwhelmed by the commercialism (and traffic) that have devoured the Plaza and surrounding downtown of Taos. It has also grown a great deal and there are new houses and developments creeping up the sides of the mountain. There are still open pasture areas and the road to Taos Pueblo didn't appear to have been overcome by fast food joints, tourist stops, etc., etc.
My new casita is everything it appeared to be in the photos and I'm totally charmed by my new landlords, Bob and Mary, who were putting the finishing touches on the place when we arrived. I had dinner with a friend that night at a great little Mexican food restaurant and then slept like a rock except to get up every once in a while to gaze at the stars, which seemed close enough to touch, and listen to the coyotes.
On the morning of the 4th, still being somewhat on MA time, Scout and I went for an early walk, just in time to see the sun peek over Taos Mountain and illuminate the floor of the Rio Grande Valley, where a hot-air balloon was lifting off. Then I had breakfast at the picnic table outside my casita and watched as probably a dozen hummingbirds flitted through the pinon pines and hit the feeders in Bob and Mary's yard. Totally magical!
I'm writing this post on the computer of two new friends, Tammy and Denny, both of whom are incredibly talented artists, not to mention fantastic cooks. Their house is located on a hillside overlooking a stream and we had dinner on their deck last night. They also have three dogs, one of which (Tula) has completely charmed Scout--they spent about an hour playing in the stream and then throwing themselves in the dirt for a good scratch yesterday afternoon. I think Scout has his first BFF in Taos!
My next project is to get my internet connection set up, so I probably won't write again until that happens.
