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Balloonists in Rio Grande Gorge.
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Taos Destination Connection Team
Individual Itineraries - Page 1
The Taos Destination Connection Team has assembled 11 tours as examples of the diversity of the Northern New Mexico attractions. Of course, these tours can be added to, combined, mixed and matched. The incredible offerings in the area guarantee something for everyone! We have noted approximate time to explore each attraction. These times exclude travel time, dining, special events or organized recreational activities such as nature hikes or golf. We have also included other handy information to make your tour more enjoyable. As always, don't hesitate to contact the Taos Destination Connection Team at 505-758-3670, or taos@destinationconnectionteam.com with any questions; or on the Net at www.destinationconnectionteam.com/.
Note that the Individual Itineraries described on this page are listed, and linked, as follows:
- Around the Enchanted Circle
- Taking the High Road to Taos
- In the Footsteps of Historic Taos Artists
- A Stroll Through Time at the Taos Museums
- On the Trail with Kit Carson
- In Search of Literary Taos
- Pilgrimage to the Mission Churches
- In Search of Taos Movie Locations
- In the Footsteps of the Original Residents
- On the Trail of Sustainable Living in Taos
- In the Footsteps of Taos History
- Individual Itineraries - Page 2
Click on the hilighted title of each Individual Itinerary to return to this list.
Around the Enchanted Circle
Background for your tour: The Enchanted Circle contains many surprises. Not the least of these, for those unfamiliar with northern New Mexico, is the diversity of the landscape. This 86-mile trip through the Southern Rocky Mountains will dispel any thoughts of New Mexico being strictly a desert state. The circle is anchored by Wheeler Peak, which at 13,161 feet is the highest crest in New Mexico. Taos is the hub of the circle and has accommodations and dining options in a wide variety of styles and price ranges. You can start your journey heading east or north visiting villages with diverse cultures and landscapes. (The order of stops below is what you will encounter heading east from Taos.)
Note: For more information about events around the Enchanted Circle, visit the Taos Chamber of Commerce.
Angel Fire, on Highway 64 east from Taos: One of the fastest growing towns in New Mexico, the Village of Angel Fire and Angel Fire Resort offer year-round fun for the entire family. The resort offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, an 18-hole golf course, hiking, biking, fishing, and much more.
Notes: There are several dining options in the village. Bus parking is plentiful at the resort. The shops and restaurants are spread out in clusters over several miles. Angel Fire is a resort village geared toward skiers and vacationers. (Exploration time: one hour)
Vietnam Veterans National Memorial State Park, Hwy 64 west of Angel Fire: Dr. Victor Westfall and his family built the chapel in 1971 to honor his son David, who lost his life in Vietnam in 1968. A 6,000 square-foot Visitors Center has been added, along with many artifacts and photos. The peace and tranquility of the surrounding Moreno Valley add to the power of the messages within the memorial.
Notes: Bus access is good with plenty of parking. Ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day are particularly moving. Call 877-613-6900, or visit www.vietnamveteransnationalmemorial.org for more information. (Exploration time: one hour)
Eagle Nest, on Highway 64, north of Angel Fire: Eagle Nest Lake State Park and the Village of Eagle Nest lie just a few miles beyond the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial. The lake, a favorite fishing spot for many years, was recently acquired by the state of New Mexico and designated as a State Park. Historically private, it is now in the public domain. Shopping or staying in the village is like stepping back into the Old West...with modern conveniences, of course. Friendly folks at the unique shops and lodges stand ready to assist the sportsman and casual visitor alike.
Notes: There are several large dirt parking lots near the center of the village. The shops and restaurants are grouped in the center of the village, making Eagle Nest a great strolling stop. (Exploration time: one hour)
Elizabethtown, off NM Highway 38, north of Eagle Nest: Traveling through the Moreno Valley from Eagle Nest, the next stop is a visit with the ghosts in Elizabethtown. Established as the first incorporated city in New Mexico in the late 1860s, Elizabethtown displayed all the lawlessness of the better-known mining towns of the era. With the help of a little imagination and the Elizabethtown Museum, one can still almost visualize those rowdy days in the Wild West.
Notes: Access to Elizabethtown is via a dirt road. There are the shells of a couple of buildings, but the museum and the cemetery are worth the stop. (Exploration time: 30 minutes)
Red River, on Highway 38, west of Elizabethtown: Founded in 1892 and once owned by the notorious gambler, Long John Dunn, Red River now consists of Swiss-style chalets, rustic log cabins and a family-friendly ski area. Old West ambiance is everywhere you look at this year-round resort, which offers biking, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, fishing and off-road vehicle trails.
Notes: The old-west themed shops and restaurants are all easily accessed along highway 64. Bus parking is plentiful. Red River is a great walking stop. (Exploration time: 90 minutes)
Questa, and the Wild Rivers Recreation Area: The Questa area is loaded with plenty of outdoor recreation for the body and art for the soul. Questa's old world charm is evident in its atmosphere and its eateries. It is also the home of an up-and-coming art community, which is represented by Artesanos de Questa. The Wild Rivers Recreation Area, just a few miles to the north, is well known to hikers and mountain bikers alike.
Notes: Wild Rivers Recreation Area, a New Mexico Scenic Byway, is about a 20 mile side-trip, but the views are spectacular and the road is well maintained. (Exploration time: Wild Rivers-30 minutes, Questa-30 minutes)
Taos Ski Valley, on Highway 150, 15 miles from the intersection of Hwy. 64 and Hwy 150: Taos Ski Valley Resort features a ski school rated in the top 10 in the nation, challenging expert skier runs, plus year-round activities for the whole family. For more information call 505-776-2291.
Notes: Although Tao Ski Valley is a 30 mile round trip off the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, it offers an excellent opportunity to shop, eat, and enjoy gorgeous year-round scenery. The fall colors and wild flowers in the spring and summer make TSV more than just and ski village. One of the main chairlifts runs during the summer months affording amazing views of the valley. (Exploration time: 90 minutes)
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, seven miles west of the intersection of Highways 64 and 150 on Highway 64: The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is the second highest [not] suspension bridge in the U.S. It was dubbed the "Bridge to Nowhere" when it was completed in 1965, because no funds were available to continue the road past the bridge to the west. The bridge towers 650 feet above the river.
Notes: This is another side-trip that is well worth the time. The bridge has viewing areas on both sides with ample parking and turn-around areas. There is a well maintained rest stop to the west. The view from the center of the bridge is not for those with a fear of heights. (Exploration time: 15 minutes)
High Road Scenery.
Background for your tour: The High Road to Taos proves that the shortest way is not always the best way between two points. To travel from Santa Fe to Taos you can take the low road, which certainly has its charms or you can travel the high road, which allows you to encounter unexpected delights around practically every corner. The seasons are never more evident than when you travel the high road. The fall and spring bring bursts of color that can take your breath away. The winter brings a quite solitude that shifts life into slow motion. In the summer you feel as though you have traveled back a hundred years to a land of hay bails and grazing cattle and even buffalo. Take this trip with us, you won't be disappointed.
Note: For more information about the sights and events that make the High Road to Taos a special route, visit the Taos Chamber of Commerce.
Ranchos de Taos Church.
Picuris Pueblo, from Ranchos de Taos, take highway 518 to Highway 75: Picuris Pueblo is the smallest of the modern day Pueblos, but is not small on charm or history. The church, San Lorenzo de Picurís, is over two hundred years old and is lovingly maintained by tribal members. The tribe's buffalo herd is a source of great pride and future economic development. The Pueblo recently won a long battle to maintain their access to the clay with which they create their sparkling mica-flecked pottery. (Exploration time: one Hour)
Las Trampas: As you travel through many of the villages along the high road you will feel as though time forgot this land. Las Trampas is no exception. The beautiful colonial era San Jose de Gracia Church, which was completed in 1780, is a magnet for artists and photographers. The town itself was founded in 1751. (Exploration time: 30 Minutes)
Truchas: Gazing up at the 13,000-plus Truchas Peak from the village of Truchas, it is easy to see why Robert Redford chose this location to film The Milagro Beanfield War in 1988. The scenery is awe inspiring, but the village itself appears to have changed little in the past one hundred years. The tin-roofed adobe buildings are tailor made for movie-making. Truchas now is famous for its artists, studios, and galleries; many are open to the public and represent many styles and media. (Exploration time: two Hours)
Santario de Chimayo.
Cordova: This area along the High Road is noted for its generations of wood carvers, who use aspen and cedar for their creations. (Exploration time: one Hour)
Nambé Falls & Pueblo: Nambé Pueblo was established in the 1300s and was once an important cultural and religious center of the Pueblo people. Nambé Falls is located above the Pueblo and offers swimming, fishing and the breathtaking double waterfall. Camping is also available for a modest fee. (Exploration time: two Hours)
In the Footsteps of Historic Taos Artists
Background for your tour: Taos has been synonymous with art and artists for more than 100 years. Even before the many 20th century artists flocked to Taos in search of light, landscape and inspiration, Taos was famous as a trading center and Hispanic folk art and before that Native American pottery and other crafts were some of the main commodities. Today, with over eighty galleries and seven museums, Taos is still a Mecca for artists looking to establish themselves, and is home to many of the world's most famous artists as well. On this walking tour around the Taos historic district you will visit the homes if some of the artists that blazed the trail for the hundreds of artists that live and work in Taos today.
Notes: You may wish to combine this tour with In the Footsteps of Historic Taos. The order you visit the tour sites is up to you. Feel free to explore the area and find your own highlights. Special thanks to the Taos Project for its excellent brochure, Historic Taos, A Self-Guided Walking Tour. Pick up a copy at the Taos Visitor Center and locations throughout the Taos Historic District for a more detailed description of all the sites mentioned below. For more information on festivals and events highlighting the rich history of the Taos Valley, visit the Taos Chamber of Commerce.
Blumenschein Museum.
Harwood Museum.
Bert Phillips House, 136 Paseo del Pueblo Norte: Bert Phillips, along with Ernest Blumenschein, broke the trail for the many artists who have made Taos their home over the past century (see The Blumenschein House above). His house was built in the early 1800s and remodeled by Phillips in 1905 with the addition of a studio and square town loft. Until Phillips was able to firmly establish his own reputation as an arftist, he supplemented his income by buying and selling Indian artifacts, developing mining interests at Twining, and working as a forest ranger. Through that later vocation he was instrumental in the establishment of the Carson National Forest. He was a charter member of the Taos Society of Artists, and its first secretary. The Phillips house is located on Paseo del Pueblo Norte, across the street from his brother-in-law, Doc Martin's home which became the historic Taos Inn.
Fechin House.
A Stroll Through Time at the Taos Museums
Background for your tour: The history of the Taos Valley can be interpreted through artifacts left by the many diverse cultures that have called it home. Strong evidence suggests that as far back as 9,000 years, the ancestors of today's Pueblo Indians, known as the Anasazi or ancient ones, lived here. The Town of Taos itself is more than 400 years old, reaching back to the Spanish exploration and settlement of New Mexico. Taos is considered by many to be the ending point of El Camino Real (The Royal Road). More recently, the many ethnic groups that have populated the rest of the United States have also gained a foothold in North Central New Mexico, adding to the rich cultural heritage represented in the Taos Museums. Step back into the past as you tour these museums and experience the daily lives, history, art and culture of local residents ranging from nearly forgotten civilizations to recent arrivals. For more information on hours of operation and special events taking place at the museums, visit the Taos Chamber of Commerce.
Millicent Rogers Museum, 1504 Millicent Rogers Road: The Millicent Rogers Museum is a great place to begin your stroll through time. Named for art patron Millicent Rogers, who settled in Taos in 1947, this museum contains the core of one of America's foremost Southwestern arts and design collections. It has grown to include traditional and contemporary Hispanic religious and domestic arts, pottery, paintings, photography and graphics, plus a wide range of arts and crafts from the many cultures of northern New Mexico. For more information call 505-758-2462 or visit www.millicentrogers.org.
Martinez Hacienda.
Kit Carson House.
Blumenschein Home Interior.
Fetchin House Interior
Harwood Museum Interior.
Mi Casa et Su Casa.
Background for your tour: Kit Carson was one of the most important characters in the history of the west from the 1830s to the 1860s. Carson called Taos home on his many travels as an early fur trapper and trader, a guide for John C. Fremont, an Indian Agent, livestock producer, military man, plus husband and father. Traveling the west you will find Kit's impact by the many towns bearing his name, including Nevada's State Capital, Carson City, and Carson, California. His many exploits were chronicled in the "dime novels" of the day. He went on three journeys with Fremont and trapped from Canada to Mexico. His ability to communicate with the Native Americans made his services in constant demand. In fact, he was Indian Agent in Taos for a time. No matter where he traveled his love for family always brought him home to Taos. Join us as we explore the Taos of the mid-1800s. For more information call the Kit Carson Museum at 505-758-4945.
Kit Carson House, 113 Kit Carson Road: Kit Carson was the most famous of the "mountain men" to settle in northern New Mexico. These fur trappers were the first Anglo-American to explore the American west. Born in Kentucky in 1809, Carson was a trapper, guide, Indian agent and Army officer. In 1861, Carson began the final stage of his career as a military officer, first in the Civil War and later in the campaigns of the Indian Wars. In 1843, when he married Maria Josefa Jaramillo, daughter of a prominent Taos family, Carson bought a single-story adobe house on what was to become Kit Carson Road. The Carson Home is a fine example of Spanish Colonial and Territorial architecture. On a visit to the Kit Carson Home and Museum you will have the opportunity to see many examples of life in the mid-1800s. Interpretive tours are held throughout the day, lead by ancestors of Carson himself in the typical dress of the day. (two hours)
Martinez Hacienda Compound.
Bent Gallery.
Kit Carson Park.
In Search of Literary Taos
Background for your tour: Over the last century Taos has become known as a haven for those with an artistic flair. The combination of pristine blue skies, spectacularly varied landscape and diverse cultures have drawn visual artists who are anxious to capture the scenery and people on canvas, clay or other media. What is not as widely known is the influence of many literary giants who have used these same attributes to capture a unique lifestyle on the printed page. Come with us as we journey back through a sometimes raucous century of literature – Taos style. For more information on events that highlight the literary arts in Taos, visit www.taoschamber.com, and click the Calendar page.
Mabel Dodge Luhan House, 240 Morada Lane (one block from the Taos Plaza): It is fitting that a tour of Taos literary figures begins with the matriarch of the Taos literary scene. Mabel Dodge was an intellectual, an heiress and an accomplished writer in her own right. Once she had experienced Taos she wanted to share its magic with her eastern friends. She set upon a quest to gather her "geniuses" at her home and in the adobe residences that surround it. Such literary legends as D.H. Lawrence, Aldous Huxley, and Willa Cather enlivened the Taos social scene during the 1920s and '30s. These three also figure prominently in other stops on our tour. For more information call 505-751-9686
Taos Pueblo.
D.H. Lawrence Ranch, head north from Taos about 15 miles from the Taos Plaza on NM 522, then another six miles east into the forested Sangre de Cristo Range via a well-marked dirt road: D.H. Lawrence, author of Lady Chatterley's Lover, among many other works, is said to have had his ashes mixed with the cement of the shrine that was built in his honor on the 16-acre ranch that bears his name. The University of New Mexico owns the ranch now and it is as fascinating for its history as for the beauty in which you will find yourself surrounded.
La Hacienda de los Martinez, two miles southwest of the Taos Plaza on Lower Ranchitos Road: Willa Cather wrote Death Comes for the Archbishop in 1927 about life on the early New Mexican frontier. Padre Jose Martinez, who was raised at the residence, is the Padre who was characterized in the book. Padre Martinez was also credited with bringing the first printing press to New Mexico. The hacienda, built in 1804 by Severino Martinez, was the final stop on the Camino Real.
Truchas, 30 miles south of the Taos Plaza on Hwy 76, along the High Road to Taos: In 1988 The Milagro Beanfield War, directed by Robert Redford came to theaters with a funny, yet tender portrayal of small-town northern New Mexican culture. Much of the movie was filmed in Truchas, along the scenic High Road to Taos. Much has remained the same about the town nearly 20 years after the film. The novel from which the movie was derived was written by John Nichols, whose socially and environmentally conscious works of fiction and non-fiction have made him an icon on the Taos literary scene.
Pilgrimage to the Mission Churches
Background for your tour: The establishment of settlements by explorers and colonists from Europe via Mexico is inextricably tied to the conversion of the Native Americans to the Roman Catholic Church. Of course, the settlers themselves were in need of ministry, so priests were naturally a part of the first parties to explore the regions of Northern New Mexico. The early struggles of the church to convert the indigenous peoples sometimes lead to conflict and even outright revolt, such as the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Many examples of these early missions are still apparent as you travel around the countryside. The churches listed below do not necessarily keep regular hours, although most of the main churches can be toured. Consider taking this tour in conjunction with the High Road to Taos Tour. For more information on tours, feast days and special events, visit www.taoschamber.com.
San Geronimo Church.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, one block west of the Taos Plaza: The original church has been replaced, but this is still a must-see for the beautiful art contained within the church. The Taos plaza has been the gathering place for Taoseños for centuries. The church, as with most traditional plazas, is not far removed from the center of activity. Call 505-758-9208 to arrange a tour. (30 minutes)
San Francisco de Asis Church.
San Lorenzo de Picurís in Picuris Pueblo, from Ranchos de Taos, take highway 518 to Highway 75: Picuris Pueblo is the smallest of the modern day Pueblos, but is not small on charm or history. The church, San Lorenzo de Picurís, is over two hundred years old and is lovingly maintained by tribal members. The church underwent more than eight years of restoration, preserving an important part of the Pueblo's history. The San Lorenzo Feast Day, celebrated in August, features dances, pole climbing, and footraces. The excavated historical sites near the church can be viewed on a self-guided tour. For more information call (505) 587-2519 (one hour)
San Jose de Gracia, Las Trampas, on Highway 76, the High Road to Taos: As you travel through many of the villages along the high road you will feel as though time forgot this land. Las Trampas is no exception. The beautiful Spanish Colonial-era San Jose de Gracia Church, which was completed in 1780, is a magnet for artists and photographers. The church is very well preserved and is still an active parish church, which was restored in the 1970s. The town of Las Trampas itself was founded in 1751. (30 minutes)
Santuario de Chimayo Interior.
In Search of Taos Movie Locations
Background for your tour: Over the years the variety of films shot in Taos reflects the range of terrain in the region. An entire tour could be done visiting the locations of scenes from the cult classic Easy Rider which was released in 1969. Dennis Hopper, who directed the movie that made him a star, was so taken with the Taos scenery and lifestyle that he spent another ten years living in Taos after the film was completed. In the fall of 2002 Taos hosted the independent feature film Off the Map. The movie, directed by Campbell Scott (son of George C. Scott) and starring Sam Elliot and Joan Allen, gave Scott just what he was looking for...a forever view. More recently, Into the West a TBS mini-series, the remake of The Longest Yard, and The Missing with Tommy Lee Jones, had significant segments filmed in and around Taos. For more information on locations and directions call the Taos County Chamber of Commerce at 800-532-TAOS, or the Taos Film Commission at 505-751-3646, or visit www.taosfilm.org.
Mabel Dodge Luhan House, 240 Morada Lane: It only seems fitting that the home of Mabel Dodge Luhan, who played such an important part in the twentieth century history of Taos, should also be the backdrop for at least one movie. That movie was the 1988 hit Twins, with Arnold Swarzenegger and Danny de Vito. Mabel Dodge Luhan was an heiress, author and art patron from the east. She found Taos to be so intellectually stimulating she wanted to share it with her New York social circle. That circle included such luminaries as D.H. Lawrence, Carl Jung, and Aldous Huxley. As you tour the home, which is now a conference center and inn, you can almost feel the creative energy that must have flowed within the walls during long evenings of conversation. Most of the more recent local history of the house surrounds the years when Dennis Hopper owned the property. This was during the height of the counter-culture movement of the late 1960s and early '70s. That era brought a whole new set of stars to Taos, including Timothy Leary, Jack Nicholson, and Janis Joplin, who made the Taos scene very hip. (one hour)
Taos Pueblo.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, 12 miles north of Taos Plaza: The view from atop the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is incomparable. The bridge is 650 feet above the water of the Rio Grande. From the vantage point you can see for miles across the high desert sage, with the slash through the landscape that is the gorge always drawing your attention away from everything else. Many films have used this riveting backdrop including the 1988 film Twins, and Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers with Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis. (30 minutes)
Truchas, 30 miles south of the Taos Plaza on Hwy 76, along the High Road to Taos: In 1988 The Milagro Beanfield War, directed by Robert Redford came to theaters with a funny, yet tender portrayal of small town northern New Mexican culture. Much of the movie was filmed in Truchas, along the scenic High Road to Taos. Much has remained the same about the town nearly 20 years after the film. The novel from which the movie was derived was written by John Nichols, whose socially and environmentally conscious works of fiction and non-fiction have made him an icon on the Taos literary scene. (two hours)
In the Footsteps of the Original Residents
Background for your tour: There is evidence of inhabitants of the Taos Valley dating back approximately 9,000 years. The ancestors of today's Taos Pueblo Indians, known as the Anasazi, established cultures in Chaco Canyon, Salmon Ruins and Canyon de Chelly. There are many examples of Native American inhabitation as you travel throughout the Taos area. When we think of Taos as an art colony, we seldom think of the original artists who established Taos as a trading center long before Europeans set foot in the valley. In some areas you can still find pot shards and arrowheads left behind by the ancestors of today's residents of Taos and Picuris Pueblos. Join us as we visit a few of the sites where the history of the valley's original inhabitants is most evident. For more information, dates of feast days, celebrations, and directions to the sites listed below, plus a room devoted to the history of the Taos Pueblo, stop by the Taos Visitor Center at 1139 Paseo del Pueblo Sur.
Taos Pueblo.
Ojo Caliente, Highway 64 west to Tres Piedras, then south on Highway 285: Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs is one of the oldest spas in North America. It was used by ancient Native Americans for its healing powers long before Europeans explored the area. A short hike from the springs is the site of an ancient village called the Posi Dwelling. These ancient inhabitants considered the mineral waters to be sacred and at one time many villages surrounded the springs. Today as you stroll through the site of the village you can still see the pot shards, remnants of a civilization that left carrying many secrets. The mineral baths are open to the public, along with other services such as massage and wraps. Groups are welcome and motor coach parking is available. Trail maps are available at the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs hotel lobby. For more information call 505-583-2233. (Two hours +)
Pot Creek, nine miles south of the Taos Plaza on Highway 518: In order to better understand today's Native Americans, it is helpful to experience their past. Pot Creek is an ancient Anasazi village site in a beautiful setting at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The site, open from late June to early September, features a reconstruction of an early Anasazi dwelling, and remnants of the irrigation system that sustained the tribe's food supply. The area is now lush pine, juniper, and cedar, but in the time of inhabitation this it was largely grassland. The elaborate irrigation system supported corn, squash, and beans. The interpretive walking trail allows you a glimpse of a culture of centuries past. Ample parking is available. There is no entry fee. For more information call 505-587-2255. (One hour +)
Picuris Pueblo, 24 miles southeast of Taos via Highway 518 to Highway 75: Picuris Pueblo is the smallest of the modern day Pueblos, but is not small on charm or history. The church, San Lorenzo de Picurís, is over two hundred years old, and is lovingly maintained by tribal members, taking some 20 years to restore. Camera permits and tours of excavated historic sites are available. The tribe's buffalo herd is a source of great pride and future economic development. The Pueblo recently won a long battle to maintain their access to the clay with which they create their sparkling mica-flecked pottery. Picuris Pueblo is located on the High Road to Taos, one of New Mexico's designated Scenic Byways. There is ample parking available near the pueblo grounds. For more information call 505-587-2519. (One hour +)
On the Trail of Sustainable Living in Taos
Background for your tour: Taos was known as the Solar Capital of the World long before New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson officially gave it the designation in 1997. The combination of an average of nearly 300 days of sunshine per year and the high desert altitude of over 7,000 feet make this the perfect place to practice sustainable living. Almost everywhere you look in Taos you see examples of the use of materials that can be reclaimed by the earth. The best and most prevalent examples are in the adobe architecture that abounds in Northern New Mexico. The materials used in adobe bricks, if left to the elements will eventually return to their original form-dirt and straw. For more information on events highlighting sustainability in Taos go to www.taoschamber.com and click on the Calendar page.
Taos Visitor Center.
El Monte Sagrado Resort, 317 Kit Carson Road, one mile southeast of the Taos Plaza: El Monte Sagrado Resort is luxurious by whatever standards you define the term, but it is luxury with a conscious. The resort's waste water is filtered through a Living Machine made up of a virtual jungle of tropical plants. The Living Machine is designed by Dharma Living Systems, a Taos consulting company designs and plans sustainable dwellings. The goal of the resort is to become completely sustainable or "off the grid." Daily tours are conducted of the Living Machine, the "Biolarium" and the palatial grounds surrounding the resort. For more information, call 505-758-3502.
Taos Pueblo, two miles east of the Taos Plaza: The Taos Pueblo Indians were way ahead of their time as sustainable builders. The Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. In that time the village itself has changed somewhat, but the construction and the materials used have remained constant. The walls of the five story structures are made of adobe bricks, which are covered with a combination of mud and straw about once per year. The materials used keep the inside of the living areas cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Of course, over the many hundreds of years the walls have become very thick, consequently with each proceeding generation the R factor gets higher. Tours are given throughout the day. For more information call 505-758-1028.
KTAO FM 101.9, right at the intersection of Hwy 64 and 150 toward Taos Ski Valley: KTAO is the world's most powerful solar powered radio station. This community radio station broadcasts at 50,000 watts throughout the Taos Valley and beyond. Stop by for one of the most beautiful views of Taos Mountain to be had anywhere in the valley. For more information call 505-758-5826.
Earthship Biosphere, 16 miles west of the Taos Plaza, one mile past the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge: Earthships are "completely independent, globally oriented dwellings." In other words they are completely self-sustaining or "off the grid." The structures are built from recycled materials (mainly tires and bottles) and utilize solar and wind power. They also maintain catchment systems to provide water for all needs. Mike Reynolds has become world famous as the designer and chief proponent of earthship living. His son Jonah has recently started producing Earthship Biodiesel, which is a product of vegetable oil. Biodiesel powers the Chile Line pubic transportation system in Taos. Self-guided tours of a model earthship are available. Call 505-751-0462 for more information.
In the Footsteps of Taos History
Background for your tour: The Taos Valley can trace inhabitants back about 9,000 years. From the ancestral Pueblo Indians (known as the Anasazi), to the residents of the still inhabited Taos Pueblo, to the conquistadors traveling north from Mexico, to the artists of the past century, Taos has been a place of sharing of goods and knowledge. The Taos Historic District gives us many reminders of this fascinating past and all within easy walking distance of the Taos Plaza. Join us as we walk in the tracks made over hundreds of years.
Notes: You may wish to combine this tour with In the Footsteps of Historic Taos Artists. The order you visit the tour sites is up to you. Feel free to explore the area and find your own highlights. Special thanks to the Taos Project for its excellent brochure, Historic Taos, A Self-Guided Walking Tour. Pick up a copy at the Taos Visitor Center and locations throughout the Taos Historic District for a more detailed description of all the sites mentioned below. For more information on art festivals and events highlighting the rich artistic history of the Taos Valley, visit the Taos Chamber of Commerce.
Governor Bent House, 117 Bent Street: Charles Bent was a highly respected, much loved figure of the old west. He was a trader, owned wagon trains and also owned trading posts in Santa Fe and Taos. He was appointed the first Governor of New Mexico in 1846 when New Mexico became an American territory during the war between the U.S. and Mexico. On a visit to his home in January 1847, he was killed by an angry mob that was protesting American rule. It was the result of a clash of cultures and a reaction against the upstart Anglo-Americans who took over what had been Native American, then Spanish, and briefly, Mexican. Find out the fascinating details of the life and death of Charles Bent at the Governor Bent Museum, which is open to the public. For more information call 758-2376.
Kit Carson House Kitchen.
Manby House, 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte: Arthur Rochford Manby came to the U.S. to search of fortune. Using what were thought to be unscrupulous methods, he acquired major tracts of land in northern New Mexico. The story of his life is detailed by the late Taos author Frank Waters (see also In Search of Literary Taos) in To Possess the Land. Due to his many shady dealings, Manby was not a popular man. In 1926, a beheaded body was found in his home. To this day it is uncertain whether this was Manby or whether he staged his own death and left town. Today, the Manby House includes the Stables Gallery, Caffe Renato, Farnsworth Gallery, and offices of the Taos Center for the Arts. For more information call 758-2052.
The Historic Taos Inn, 125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Taos Inn, although the original building dates back to the early 1800s. The town's beloved doctor, T.P. Martin, set up shop here in the early part of the 20th century. The buildings once surrounded the community well. Doc Martin and his wife Helen lived in the northern part of the complex and rented rooms to some of the artists who would go on to form the Taos Society of Artists. When Doc Martin died in 1933, Helen took advantage of the increasing flow of visitors to the area and remodeled the Martin Apartments into the Hotel Martin. Over the years the hotel lodged many celebrities, including such notables as Greta Garbo, Thornton Wilder, and Anthony Quinn. For more information call 758-2233.
El Rincon Trading Post, 114 Kit Carson Road: The histories surrounding the occupants of El Rincon Trading Post make it an important stop on your Taos walking tour. Built in 1809, this was the home of La Doña Luz in the mid-1800s. It later became the home of Ralph and Rowena Meyers, who opened the Mission Shop in 1909. This was the first trading post in Taos that carried Native American arts and crafts of the region. Ralph, whose son Ouray is a prominent artist still living in Taos, traveled to regional reservations, buying and trading with knowledge and understanding. Few white men were as well loved and accepted by the Taos Pueblo Indians. Ralph Meyers was responsible for adding much to Taos by preserving the costumes and traditions of the time within his collections. He also developed a wonderful photographic archive of Taos history. Much of his collection is on display at El Rincon Trading Post. For more information call 758-4874.
