Roadtrip 6 the Southwest
Day 1
Denver, CO - Taos, NM
We flew in to Denver on September 8, 2015, and found a nice Marriott Renaissance in town, with a shuttle service.
In the morning the hotel shuttle took us back to the airport,and we rented a white Toyota Camry. We took off. A couple of miles down the road we saw signs for a Subway, and we just couldn't resist, yay, and had a couple of egg sandwiches with coffee.
With all tanks full, we put the pedal to the metal and headed south on I-25. Roadtrip 6 has started and life's good!
In the morning the hotel shuttle took us back to the airport,and we rented a white Toyota Camry. We took off. A couple of miles down the road we saw signs for a Subway, and we just couldn't resist, yay, and had a couple of egg sandwiches with coffee.
With all tanks full, we put the pedal to the metal and headed south on I-25. Roadtrip 6 has started and life's good!
Driving thru Colorado you get to see Green Crosses pop up in the outskirts of towns. That's the sign for a Recreational marijuana store. Anyone over 21 years is allowed in and given individual service by a Budtender. They seem to do a brisk business, everything from weed, to candy, to cookies. Something for every tourist that comes rolling in.
We kept rolling, thru Antonito, and stopped for gas at Gibson's Feed & Gas. The station guy suggested we go Chili Line Depot for lunch, across the state border, in Las Pedras, NM. Good suggestion. Half an hour south we saw a couple of houses. The grocery store on the right side of the road looked like it was closed for 30 years, but the house on the left was busy cooking green chili with anything.
After a couple of burritos and accompanying burps we continued southeast on Hwy 64. A community called Earthship Biotecture was building spaceships out in the desert. Using bottles and tires in the walls, modern adobe style, and utilizing wind power, this was all a very alternative style of living.
After a couple of burritos and accompanying burps we continued southeast on Hwy 64. A community called Earthship Biotecture was building spaceships out in the desert. Using bottles and tires in the walls, modern adobe style, and utilizing wind power, this was all a very alternative style of living.
The few people we saw were busy looking busy or working, so we continued and rolled up to Rio Grande Gorge. The governor decided in 1963 to build a tourist attraction in New Mexico, and he built a huge bridge across the gorge. It has a great view of the river and draws lots of tourists. It's the 82nd highest bridge in the world, and was awarded the "Most Beautiful Steel Bridge", in the "Long Span" category. The bridge has appeared in several films, including Natural Born Killers, Twins, White Sands, She's Having a Baby, The Signal (2014 film), Paul, Wild Hogs, and Terminator Salvation. A nice bonus was seeing a family of pronghorns coming down to the bridge area to feed.
After about seven hours of driving we arrived in Taos, New Mexico (Pop. 5,551). An artists colony and a stomping ground for mesa desert lovers. A couple of wrong turns later we found our hotel on Kit Carson Road, El Monte Sagrado Resort & Spa. A snazzy place indeed, where you could order SIX chocolate covered strawberries or a bucket of popcorn, both for $25.21. We happily grabbed a handful of our own trail mix and went on Facebook.
Day 2
Taos, NM
Hanging around Taos today. We drove the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, 84 miles around Wheeler's Peak. Our first stop was at Angel Fire for lunch, where a laughing and singing waitress served us some fine Mexican food. We passed by Eagle's Nest, a ski area with a couple of lakes, midway up the mountainside. After a couple of hours we came full circle back to Taos Pueblos, an old Indian village just north of Taos. It's a Natl Historic Landmark and a Unesco World Heritage Site. All the houses are built adobe style, out of a mud and straw mix. Cheap materials, but they do have to get remuddled every year. Nobody actually lives in the houses now. A trinket seller told us his uncle was the last one to move out from the village. when he realized he could get cable tv in town.
Taos, NM
Hanging around Taos today. We drove the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, 84 miles around Wheeler's Peak. Our first stop was at Angel Fire for lunch, where a laughing and singing waitress served us some fine Mexican food. We passed by Eagle's Nest, a ski area with a couple of lakes, midway up the mountainside. After a couple of hours we came full circle back to Taos Pueblos, an old Indian village just north of Taos. It's a Natl Historic Landmark and a Unesco World Heritage Site. All the houses are built adobe style, out of a mud and straw mix. Cheap materials, but they do have to get remuddled every year. Nobody actually lives in the houses now. A trinket seller told us his uncle was the last one to move out from the village. when he realized he could get cable tv in town.
To finish our day in adobe country we drove to San Fransisco de Asisi church, 4 miles S of Taos. It was built 1776-1813, and allegedly is the most photographed church in US. Adobe on steroids.
Later that night Lenny woke up at 2am and went outside on the balcony to breathe in the stars. So many, so close, so hard to take pictures of!
First of all, the lens cap has to come off...
Later that night Lenny woke up at 2am and went outside on the balcony to breathe in the stars. So many, so close, so hard to take pictures of!
First of all, the lens cap has to come off...
Day 3
Taos to Santa Fe, NM
Heading south we followed Hwy 68 along the Rio Grande. We found the one and only tree along the highway between Taos and Santa Fe, and then hung a right into the bushes and found a zigzagging road and even crossed the river before we turned around, crossed over 68 and east up into the mountains on the 'High Road': This spectacular 80-mile route between Taos and Santa Fe takes you through red painted deserts, villages bordered by apple and peach orchards, and the foothills of 13,000-foot peaks. Beautiful ride.
Santa Fe (Pop. 71,831) is straight out of the paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe: With Native American ruins, Spanish colonial churches, and red adobe buildings, this high desert art community is set at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills. Our first stop was at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. A small museum, but packed with some of her finest paintings. As a bonus we found that one of Georgia's cousins grand daughter was there. We wished her well and walked over to the Plaza, center of town, and to nearby Canyon Road, both chockfull of galleries selling expensive cowboy gear and indian art. It annually hosts the largest Native American arts market—the Indian Market—in the world.
The Plaza was packed with natives celebrating their freedom with a Mexican style fiesta, music, singing, and Navajo Fry Bread.
Around the corner is Loretto Chapel and the miraculous staircase. It's a staircase without nails or screws, held together by the power of Jesus. With our Swampronker discount Courtyard by Merriott for $80 worked fine for us.
In the early morn we rolled south along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway to Cerrillos, NE of ABQ on Hwy 14. It used to be a mining town, then eventually became a ghost town. About 20 years ago the movie 'Young Guns' was filmed in town, so now it's an abandoned western film set and ghost town, so quiet it's almost spooky. 'Mary's Bar' is in the middle of town, and was sometimes open, but not this day. We did see two other people. A kid on a bike, and a fair maiden that popped out of a house for her morning walk.
Lenny had read about Galisteo 22 miles S of Santa Fe via I25, US285 onto NM41. It was supposed to be a drop dead gorgeous little Spanish town filled with artists, writers, healers and the like. We found nothing of the sort. We did find a few dusty houses, but nobody outside. It seemed like the town was dying. Luckily we did see some horses at a ranch nearby.
Lenny had read about Galisteo 22 miles S of Santa Fe via I25, US285 onto NM41. It was supposed to be a drop dead gorgeous little Spanish town filled with artists, writers, healers and the like. We found nothing of the sort. We did find a few dusty houses, but nobody outside. It seemed like the town was dying. Luckily we did see some horses at a ranch nearby.
Day 4
Santa Fe to Albuquerque, NM
East of Albuquerque there is a stretch of Route 66, near Tijeras, that's called 'The Musical Highway'
The rumble strip plays 'America the Beautiful' when you drive eastbound. There are two small blue signs to tell you "To hear the song" then "reduce to 45 mph." Reducing to 45mph was the hard part, but after a couple of tries we heard the song playing as we drove. Not loud and clear, but clearly musical.
The rumble strip plays 'America the Beautiful' when you drive eastbound. There are two small blue signs to tell you "To hear the song" then "reduce to 45 mph." Reducing to 45mph was the hard part, but after a couple of tries we heard the song playing as we drove. Not loud and clear, but clearly musical.
Just outside of Albuquerque is the Sandia Peak Tramway. This is the world's longest aerial tramway and carries visitors from the desert to the crest of the mountain for 2.7 miles through four of the earth's six bio-zones. Sounded impressive. Unfortunately it was hazy when we were there, and we decided to stay grounded and save the $50 fare for burritos and enchiladas instead.
As we entered Albuquerque, we got some extra sightseeing around the railroad tracks. A few more turns and we found Old Town, and a salsa fiesta in full swing. This is 'Breaking Bad' country, and Heisenberg was popular on the t-shirts. We ran into a couple of talent scouts from LA. Their tv show was looking for people to find their genealogy roots in Scandinavia. Peppe signed up as a Scandinavian expert genealogist in case they needed help with any roots.
Meanwhile Lenny signed up as a salsa judge, and dozens of salsa makers enticed him with their favorite concoctions. Mostly good, hot stuff! TownPlace Suites had a nice room for $43 for us.
Day 5
Albuquerque to Carlsbad, NM
We took I-40 out of town, heading east across a barren land. Mostly small sage bushes to look at, 102 F, but everywhere, the land was very orderly fenced in. There must have been cattle somewhere, and we saw a few here and there. Somewhere around 1 cow per 10 miles of fence.
After a few hours we rolled into Roswell, Home of the Green Aliens. We spotted a few at gas stations. Also saw a biker wearing his leather jacket with a new logo for me..he was with a gang called 'Sons of Arthritis'.
After a few hours we rolled into Roswell, Home of the Green Aliens. We spotted a few at gas stations. Also saw a biker wearing his leather jacket with a new logo for me..he was with a gang called 'Sons of Arthritis'.
A quick refueling stop at McDonalds and we continued south towards Carlsbad. Suddenly big clouds appeared miles ahead with grey rain spouts down to the ground. Almost twister like, but it was just rain. We descended deep into the Caverns, the very huge caverns, with all kinds of stalactite formations. Very impressive.
We stayed at TownPlace Suites for a mere $40.
We stayed at TownPlace Suites for a mere $40.
Today we drove from Carlsbad to Alamogordo, into the White Sands Missile Range. Tried to get in to Holloman Air Force Base, but had guns pointed at us, so we turned around. Instead we headed into the White Sands National Monument....absolutely gorgeous and very white!
We read that even the animals here adopt a whiter coat, like at the poles.
Then it was playtime! The sand, which is actually gypsum powder, makes you slide a lot. Take two steps, slide back one. We ran around a bit,skidded, slid and jumped on the ever shifting sand dunes. The heat tired us out real quick, and we went back on the road.
An hour later we rolled into Las Cruces, filled up on necessities, and found our Marriott Fairfield Inn. Next door was Uno's Pizzeria. We ate, we drank, and sat outside to watch the sun set in an orange sky. If it hadn't been for those hairy legs next to me, it would have been a romantic moment.
We read that even the animals here adopt a whiter coat, like at the poles.
Then it was playtime! The sand, which is actually gypsum powder, makes you slide a lot. Take two steps, slide back one. We ran around a bit,skidded, slid and jumped on the ever shifting sand dunes. The heat tired us out real quick, and we went back on the road.
An hour later we rolled into Las Cruces, filled up on necessities, and found our Marriott Fairfield Inn. Next door was Uno's Pizzeria. We ate, we drank, and sat outside to watch the sun set in an orange sky. If it hadn't been for those hairy legs next to me, it would have been a romantic moment.
Day 6
Carlsbad - White Sands - Las Cruces, NM
Day 7
Las Cruces, NM to Tombstone, AZ
Heading out of Las Cruces we cruised by a little town called Mesilla. It has a few very quaint streets with old buildings, including the courthouse that tried Billy the Kid and sentenced him to hang once upon a time.
Down the road a bit we came to Akela's gas station. It features a huge wall of painted storefronts, from Walt Greens Pharmacy to Harling Dickerson Bicycles. Next door, and a little more subdued, sits the Apache Homeland Offices.
This was dustbowl territory, and according to the signs on the highway, could go down to zero visibility at any time. We stopped at another ghost town, this one featuring a ghost outhouse, before crossing into Arizona. We came to San Simon, which was a gathering of houses, and a big gas station, with a Subway inside. We filled up.
Down the road a bit we came to Akela's gas station. It features a huge wall of painted storefronts, from Walt Greens Pharmacy to Harling Dickerson Bicycles. Next door, and a little more subdued, sits the Apache Homeland Offices.
This was dustbowl territory, and according to the signs on the highway, could go down to zero visibility at any time. We stopped at another ghost town, this one featuring a ghost outhouse, before crossing into Arizona. We came to San Simon, which was a gathering of houses, and a big gas station, with a Subway inside. We filled up.
A couple of miles down the road was Bowie, and we hung a left onto Apache Pass Rd, that took us up thru a pass to Fort Bowie Natl Historic Landmark. It was only mildly interesting and we kept going to Ericksons place, the Chiricahua Natl Monument. Neil (Nils?) and Emma Ericsson had built their Faraway Ranch here, and they generated enough interest for their 'wonderland of rocks' to get the Chiricahua Natl Monument established in 1924. A drive to the top gave us awesome views of pinnacles of rocks and views of the desert down below.
Leaving Chiricahua we took a wrong turn somewhere, and the road got smaller for every mile we inched forward. In places it was washed out by flash floods. Our faces got grimmer, as the road got wilder. Just as we were approaching despair, we ran into a couple of good ol hunters that got us redirected back to the right road. They were just out hunting for mountain lion and black bear. Back on the highway we got stopped twice at US Border Patrols, and Per, the suspicious one, had to show his passport.
Leaving Chiricahua we took a wrong turn somewhere, and the road got smaller for every mile we inched forward. In places it was washed out by flash floods. Our faces got grimmer, as the road got wilder. Just as we were approaching despair, we ran into a couple of good ol hunters that got us redirected back to the right road. They were just out hunting for mountain lion and black bear. Back on the highway we got stopped twice at US Border Patrols, and Per, the suspicious one, had to show his passport.
Soon we could spot Tombstone, the legendary western town where the Earp brothers had their shootout at the OK Corall The ranch we picked to stay at was just outside town, past the cemetary, but before the stone tower. Tombstone Monument Guest Ranch was ours for $106. A street was built with rooms in the jail, or the post office, or the blacksmith, where we stayed. One of their attractions was the horses and rides were offered. Peppe had a traumatic experience as a child with horses and I couldn't persuade him to go riding. Instead we went on foot to check out the stone tower, and found some very industrious ants building their own little pebble tower on the road.
Tombstone was full of period actors and actresses. A regular Disneyland for cowboys. We saw a reenactment of the famous shootout. A few blocks away we glimpsed Boot Hill Graveyard and Jewish Memorial, an oddly interesting combo. At our ranch they told us Doc Holiday would be playing cards there that night, so after dinner in town we went to our saloon to check out the action. We saw a lot of sheriffs playing, a lot of sheriffs drinking, and it didn't take us long to figure out that we were at a Sheriffs Convention! We walked outside later and kicked a dried turd around. Walked past the pool where we could have gone swimmin' with bowlegged women.
Day 8
Tombstone, AZ - Bisbee - Borderland - Tucson, AZ
After a two hour drive south through hills and valleys we rolled into Bisbee, another old mining town that had gone bust. But it is on the upswing now. Bisbee has a nice 187 step stairway walk showing off its beautiful location in between the hills. It's a town full of artists and eccentrics. They especially seem to enjoy garden gates made out of car doors. Another hour south took us to the US-Mexico border, in a little town called Naco. We felt very safe, sure of being watched from every angle. We walked up to the fence, and saw Mexico thru the holes. It looked good.
When we left our hotel in the morning, we had noticed the air in one tire was very low. We pumped it up. Now just after lunch, it was almost flat again. But did we worry? No, but we drove low and slow.
When we left our hotel in the morning, we had noticed the air in one tire was very low. We pumped it up. Now just after lunch, it was almost flat again. But did we worry? No, but we drove low and slow.
Going north we passed thru Sonoita, and went looking for an old town called Helvetia up in the mountains. We took Box Canyon Rd, that snaked thru the canyons, and past the signs that warned us not to pick up hitchhikers. We met a rancher, who hadn't heard of Helvetia, and wished us good luck the rest of the way. He recommended a 4x4, but we kept going low n slow. We never found Helvetia, but eventually found the right way across the ridge and down to Sahuarita, and then I-19 up to Tucson. On I-19 we saw something odd. The road signs are in metric, kilometers instead of miles. Turns out the signs are remnants of the most recent attempt to convert to metric. For the immigrants it might be helpful, but for the US population it hasn't worked yet.
TownPlace Inn was our hotel of choice for $39.
Day 9
Tucson to Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ
It was time to hit the Boneyard! On the outskirts of Tucson is this huge land area full of thousands of airplanes, stored or kept in reserve or being picked apart. Called ARMAG it has currently about 4,000 planes, row upon row of mostly military planes of all shapes and sizes. Even the Stealthfighter was on display, but we didn't see it.
It's a bit of a process to get there. First we had to go to the Pima Air & Space museum that has access to the authorized tours. So first we took a strolling walk tour inside the museum. We saw the Bumble Bee as the worlds smallest airplane at 16 feet, and we saw the worlds smallest jet plane. Then came the bus tour outside, we drove in between hundreds of civilian and military, imported and exported models, big and small. Very cool.
After a suitable lunch stop in the airport cafeteria, we finally got on the bus for a 15 minute ride to the Boneyard. Security was a concern for them, so we couldn't leave the bus, and we kept rolling along the whole time. There was a lot of money sitting out there!
It's a bit of a process to get there. First we had to go to the Pima Air & Space museum that has access to the authorized tours. So first we took a strolling walk tour inside the museum. We saw the Bumble Bee as the worlds smallest airplane at 16 feet, and we saw the worlds smallest jet plane. Then came the bus tour outside, we drove in between hundreds of civilian and military, imported and exported models, big and small. Very cool.
After a suitable lunch stop in the airport cafeteria, we finally got on the bus for a 15 minute ride to the Boneyard. Security was a concern for them, so we couldn't leave the bus, and we kept rolling along the whole time. There was a lot of money sitting out there!
The Saguaro cactus started showing itself along I-19 just before Tucson. Lenny is a cacti lover so our next stop was the Saguaro Natl Park west of Tucson. Saguaros grow up 40 feet tall, grow a couple of arms when they're 75 years old, and has a 200 year lifespan. Cacti was everywhere you looked, in all forms, and all with sharp needles!
It was hot, so we headed up to Phoenix, ran into cars and shooter warnings on Hwy I-10, and we left as fast as we could and ended up in Scottsdale, just north of Phoenix. Next door to TownPlace Suites hotel was an Asian fusion type place, and it was very tasty.
It was hot, so we headed up to Phoenix, ran into cars and shooter warnings on Hwy I-10, and we left as fast as we could and ended up in Scottsdale, just north of Phoenix. Next door to TownPlace Suites hotel was an Asian fusion type place, and it was very tasty.
Day 10
Scottsdale to Prescott , AZ
Again we had a very flat tire in the morning. We called the rental car company and they told us to just go to any tire repair place to have it fixed. Lenny asked who would pay for that, and as a result of a vague answer we drove back to Phoenix airport and got ourselves a Hyundai Sonata instead. They probably thought we were born in the vestibule (sw. födda i farstun). Keeping a weary eye out for the highway shooter we left Phoenix and headed away from the desert heat for cooler air in the mountains.
We headed up into the Tonto Natl Forest, thru the Mazatzal Forest area. Majestic roads perfect for big bikes took us to Payson, which had the sweetest smelling air because of all the pine trees. Payson also holds the distinction of being one of only three pure air ozone belts in the world. Sweet air indeed.
Lenny spotted a yellow school bus, now Home of Jeri-Js Indian Fry Bread. Jeri was originally from Boston. He divorced and started a new life out west by marrying an Apache squaw. She baked the best fry bread around, and Jeri came up with the idea to sell it. His niece Sunflower from the Tonto Apache tribe served up a delicious meal with a smile Dripping with flavor! So good that I bought an extra bag of flour mix to bring home.
We headed up into the Tonto Natl Forest, thru the Mazatzal Forest area. Majestic roads perfect for big bikes took us to Payson, which had the sweetest smelling air because of all the pine trees. Payson also holds the distinction of being one of only three pure air ozone belts in the world. Sweet air indeed.
Lenny spotted a yellow school bus, now Home of Jeri-Js Indian Fry Bread. Jeri was originally from Boston. He divorced and started a new life out west by marrying an Apache squaw. She baked the best fry bread around, and Jeri came up with the idea to sell it. His niece Sunflower from the Tonto Apache tribe served up a delicious meal with a smile Dripping with flavor! So good that I bought an extra bag of flour mix to bring home.
Down the slope on the other side of town we headed for Sedona. We rolled thru Oak Creek Canyon and Red Rock country. Fern and I had been to Sedona 35 years ago, and we found the Pink Jeep tours we had gone with. Hotels were very pricey, and we continued thru Jerome, another old ghost town, now full of bikers, hikers, artists and tourists, and we kept going on Rte 89 to Prescott, where we finally found a reasonable hotel, the Budget Host Inn at $110. Following our traditional goal of daily exercise we took a hike down the road a bit.
Day 11
Prescott , AZ - Petrified Forest - Painted Desert -Gallup, NM
We headed east on Hwy 169 to Camp Verde, then north into Coconino Natl Forest. It was hunting season, and 4x4s and people in camoflage were on every road. We stopped at Happy Jack to fill up, and had a mobile elk processing truck next to us. It was guns, ammo and beer for anyone. Coming out of the forest we zipped by Flagstaff, and took it easy on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. Just like the Eagles sang years ago. The huge meal of pancakes and burritos and beans, at the diner, filled us up real good.
Another half an hour down I-40, just past Joseph City, is Holbrook, home of the famous tourist attraction WigWam Motel.
Another half an hour down I-40, just past Joseph City, is Holbrook, home of the famous tourist attraction WigWam Motel.
Hwy 280 took us to the entrance of Petrified Forest. Chunks of trees are scattered all over. 244 million years old!
Next-door is the Painted Desert, looking good in layers of colors. Around the mesa corner, the Santa Fe railroad cut thru the desert, and their long trains never seemed to end. Looked just like a movie.
Peppe put the pedal down, we got back on I-40, and drove like two escaped convicts back east into New Mexico. Our next resting place was in Gallup, NM. Days Inn was ours for $66.
Gallup is a town full of indians, Navajo and Zuni. Even our hotel manager is Indian, but from Bombay. Some Indians like firewater, but a bit too much. The local paper had two full pages of DWIs from the weekend. The locals also like to cruise.
When you see six hats in a car in front of you, going 20 mph, they're cruising. (sw. Navajo raggare)
Next-door is the Painted Desert, looking good in layers of colors. Around the mesa corner, the Santa Fe railroad cut thru the desert, and their long trains never seemed to end. Looked just like a movie.
Peppe put the pedal down, we got back on I-40, and drove like two escaped convicts back east into New Mexico. Our next resting place was in Gallup, NM. Days Inn was ours for $66.
Gallup is a town full of indians, Navajo and Zuni. Even our hotel manager is Indian, but from Bombay. Some Indians like firewater, but a bit too much. The local paper had two full pages of DWIs from the weekend. The locals also like to cruise.
When you see six hats in a car in front of you, going 20 mph, they're cruising. (sw. Navajo raggare)
Day 12
Gallup to Taos, NM
Hwy 490 took us north thru Navajo homelands. No wonder, it's all rock and desert. That's all they got to keep since the white man came in. Thru Tohatchi, a few beaten down houses, some natives walking on roads, and nothing else, A couple of hours and we got up to Shiprock, and a right onto Farmington, into Bloomfield and lunch at Dairy Queen. Here we have trees again, a river and greenery. It's a mining town outside the homeland, working, making money, and therefore white people land.
Continuing east past Coyote, we found Lake Heron, from where Rio Chama flows, showing off its horseshoe bends down to Abiquiu. This where Georgia O'Keeffe built her Ghost Ranch. And it was truly a ghost ranch, we couldn't find it. Instead we rolled into Espanola. It's called the low rider capital of the US. We didn't find any concentration of low riders, just saw a couple driving by.
Continuing east past Coyote, we found Lake Heron, from where Rio Chama flows, showing off its horseshoe bends down to Abiquiu. This where Georgia O'Keeffe built her Ghost Ranch. And it was truly a ghost ranch, we couldn't find it. Instead we rolled into Espanola. It's called the low rider capital of the US. We didn't find any concentration of low riders, just saw a couple driving by.
Day 13
Taos, NM
Today was laundry day, there are only so many ways you can rotate your underwear after all. Drove to a laundromat downtown, then we just walked around. So many beautiful adobe houses with a security perimeter of half sized walls and often with massive and intricate doorways. Portals to the paradise inside.
A couple of blocks away we found Inger Kirby, a Swedish artist with a gallery on Ladoux Street, the ultra quaint section of town. She put on lipstick and combed her hair when we showed up with cameras. Very sweet lady from Lapland.
A couple of blocks away we found Inger Kirby, a Swedish artist with a gallery on Ladoux Street, the ultra quaint section of town. She put on lipstick and combed her hair when we showed up with cameras. Very sweet lady from Lapland.
Got our laundry and headed for Taos Ski Valley. A nice ride often along a stream with birch trees all around. A painter, possibly the locally famous Albert Hendel, was holding classes along the riverside for an international audience, and everyone was busy copying his technique. At the top it turned alpine, with Swiss like houses and decorations. We saw the lifts, a cool old yellow 30s car with a camper, and then headed down to warmer climates.
Next we drove to Arroyo Seco, a bend in the road, with stuff for tourists, and then onto Mabel Luhan Dodge's ranch, both places that Inger Jirby had suggested. Mabel was a force in the 20s and always liked to invite and hobnob with the finest and hottest people of the time. She built the three story adobe ranch for that purpose, so her friends could always pop in. Nowadays it serves as a retreat and conference center. The female director explained that they have no phones, no tv, no internet. As a bonus we got a tour of the house and kitchen from this nice and somewhat overenthusiastic lady.
Day 14
Taos, NM to Colorado Springs, CO
We left Taos and rolled onto Hwy 522 north to San Luis, CO, then on to Walsenburg, and lunch at Subway in Pueblo. They all seem nice enough, but I wouldn't want to be here in the winter!
We approached the US Olympic training grounds, and got a good overview of Colorado Springs by going back and forth a few times. Found our Comfort Inn hotel for $76 on the outskirts, and we ordered in Extreme pizza. All's well.
We approached the US Olympic training grounds, and got a good overview of Colorado Springs by going back and forth a few times. Found our Comfort Inn hotel for $76 on the outskirts, and we ordered in Extreme pizza. All's well.
Day 15
Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is only a stone's throw from Colorado Springs, and we went first thing in the morning. These are rock formations, pinnacles, chards, and cliffs, being pushed straight up from the Underworld below. We took a couple of short hikes, amazed at the scenery.
After the garden, we went back to Colorado Springs and lunch at Noodles. Never had a bad meal at Noodles. For dinner we ordered in a Extreme pizza. Delicious.
After the garden, we went back to Colorado Springs and lunch at Noodles. Never had a bad meal at Noodles. For dinner we ordered in a Extreme pizza. Delicious.
Day 16
Colorado Springs and Pike's Peak
Pike's Peak was only about an hour away. We had to reserve cog train tickets in advance since we declined to hike up on foot. Although some did. In the train depot they offered oxygen bottles for sale. They also suggested we bring water and dress real warm. At the top the temp was 36F, but the windchill said 27F. Peppe decided on shorts for this trip.
The old cogwheel train took us up past the tree line, past the mountain goats nibbling at the moss, and up to Pike's Peak and an elevation at the summit of 14,110 feet. We even found snow, left over from last season. Far away we could see the mountain sides being eaten away by the gold diggers. They still bring out $1 million worth of gold from here, every day!
Lunch was donuts, and then Chinese food for dinner.
The old cogwheel train took us up past the tree line, past the mountain goats nibbling at the moss, and up to Pike's Peak and an elevation at the summit of 14,110 feet. We even found snow, left over from last season. Far away we could see the mountain sides being eaten away by the gold diggers. They still bring out $1 million worth of gold from here, every day!
Lunch was donuts, and then Chinese food for dinner.
Day 17
Colorado Springs - Cripple Creek - Denver
We mounted our Hyundai Sonata stallion and rode across the Rocky Mountains and came around to the backside of Pike's Peak. Here is a small town called Cripple Creek with one main street, a few side streets, and not much more. Another small mining town. They claimed to have found more gold here than in Alaska and Colorado combined.
We found another even smaller town called Victory, a town where the undertaker advertised on the side of a building of his fast services.
Hwy 67 took us north among farms, streams and trout fishers. Stopped at Decker's by the river for a hotdog lunch.
We found Fairfield Inn in Westminster for $77, a suburb of Denver. Dinner at Wendys.
We found another even smaller town called Victory, a town where the undertaker advertised on the side of a building of his fast services.
Hwy 67 took us north among farms, streams and trout fishers. Stopped at Decker's by the river for a hotdog lunch.
We found Fairfield Inn in Westminster for $77, a suburb of Denver. Dinner at Wendys.
Day 18-19-20
Denver, CO
The last couple of days we went shopping in Denver. We tried to get a picture of the blood moon, and it wasn't easy, with a lot of clouds in the way. The last night we stayed at Fairfield Inn on Tower Road, at the airport. Steps away we had our traditional baby back ribs dinner at Ruby Tuesday. We honored our ancestors with a farewell drink. But only one, Lenny had a 4am wake up call.
Hours later we flew off, Lenny to Orlando, onto Islip. Peppe to Reykjavik, onto Copenhagen. Exhausted and happy to be home again... Hearts, minds, and cameras filled with feelings, thoughts, and photos of the majestic lands we just visited. Really? We did that? ...sheeeeet! Roadtrip 6 NM AZ CO from Lennart Andersson on Vimeo. |
and now a little video: |