Travels to Taos

 

Made the trek from Denver to Taos, New Mexico for a yearly sojourn. Instead of the usual shortest route across La Veta Pass then south through San Luis, CO and Questa, NM we decided to head to Cimarron, NM for lunch at the famous and infamous St. James Hotel.

 

For a trip down memory lane we paid a short visit to Philmont Scout Ranch outside of Cimarron. Scouts come from all over the United States and many foreign countries for high adventure and backpacking treks in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico.

 

After completing 10-day treks Scouts frequently throw their worn hiking boots over a Philmont entrance gate.

 

We follow US64 through scenic Cimarron Canyon to Eagles Nest and Angel Fire before crossing 9,101-foot Palo Flechado Pass and the final stretch into Taos. A light rain caused us to skip pictures and a return visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park.

 

By the time we arrived in Taos their afternoon shower was over and the sun warmed the adobe walls of our rental casita. This is the fourth year we’ve made Casa de las Abuelas home base while Bob takes a painting workshop from Stephen Kilborn and we explore the region.

 

The bags are unpacked, a trip to the grocery store complete and a chilled margarita calls.