Santa Fe area - Day 2

June 29

Today we chose to take a scenic drive up the High Road to Taos.  We drove about 100 miles up the mountain to the artsy town of Taos.  

 

We stopped by the Las Trampas church on the way up

The following are the words on the National Scenic Historical Marker

                   

Las Trampas

The village of Las Trampas was established in 1751 by 12 families from Santa Fe,

Led by Juan de Argiielo, who received a land grant from the Govenor.  The Church of San Jose de Gracia is one of the finest surviving 18^th century churches in New Mexico.

 

 

Hand carved old doors

 

We then arrived at the town of TaosWe found a parking space and visited some of the shops. 

 

 

Beautiful art, but out of my league. LOL It was fun looking.

 

 

The town plaza



Feeding the homeless

 



This is the Museum of Art and the

Fish is at their entry

The museum and this building are on the oldest street in town

 

From there we went to visit the San Francisco de Asis in Ranchos de Taos.  It

is an active church as well as an 18th century adobe National Historic Landmark.  San Francisco is known as one of the most photographed Spanish Colonial churches in the U.S.A.  It has twin bell towers and enclosed courtyard.  They did not allow pictures inside but it was beautiful.

This is the back of the church that you see from the road.

This is photographed often by many famous artists.

After driving around the church you arrive at the courtyard.

 

 

 

 Entering the courtyard

 So Beautiful and uplifting.

 

The picture above is across the street.  A big change.

 



 

doors to the parsonage office

It was a long day after we stopped so many nice places along the way, so we didn’t get to go to the Taos Pueblo because it was too late and was raining by the time we got there.   This Pueblo consists of multi- storied buildings that have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years.  To this day, they still do not have any electricity because they choose not to have it.   Today this area is a Mecca of artists.  Kit Carson’s home was also in this area.  We could not see these things from the road

but still got the history.

We went over the Rio Grande Gorge on the way home.  

 Rio Grande Bridge

 

 

 This old bus was selling food near the bridge

 

It was raining but still a good day. This was the first rain we’ve

seen in 6 weeks, so it’s really needed.