Buckle up!!! Yesterday was our last full, active day before we settle down to the task(s) of packing up, and we took advantage of it. First, we paid a last visit to Scott Nelson's big estate sale. He keeps bringing stuff out and we keep finding stuff to buy (all little stuff this time). On our way out of his development, we spotted this visitor in someone's front yard.
Next we headed for Abiquiu, where we wanted to hike a trail to some ruins. Unfortunately, our plan was a victim of the extreme fire risk - the trail was off limits. Huge portions of the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests are closed to ALL activities. The Gila National Forest remains open despite the fact that a thunderstorm started 15 wildfires there on Thursday. Desperate times. We headed a few miles north to Plaza Blanca, which is on private land and therefore not restricted. From the time we left Santa Fe all the way to Espanola, the smoke from the wildfires was really thick. Fortunately, the wind was very low and some humidity was starting to creep in, good news for the firefighters. However, this combination served to settle the smoke into the valleys. As we approached Abiquiu, we emerged from the smoke and the skies were a beautiful blue, though we could see the smoke in the distance.
But by the time we left, two hours later, we were submerged again.
Plaza Blanca was wonderful again. While Marie sketched under her favorite tree, I explored the canyon to the left. This area had giant hoodoos that stood like silent sentinels.
At the other extreme were formations that looked like miniature cliff dwellings.
At the far end of the canyon was a wash filled with black volcanic rock, leading into the white of Plaza Blanca. What geological event led to this contrast?
When we reached the car in the parking lot, the outdoor temperature was 102 degrees, and we were cooked. After a quick stop at Bode's General Store for a bathroom break and fruit pops, we headed down the road to check out a house for sale. We wanted to see what our dollar would get out here. Our answer: million dollar views and a modular home. And a bit too remote for Marie.
Next we headed for Taos to see the Rio Grande Gorge. We crossed the gorge after eating at El Meze on our anniversary and nearly ran off the road at the sight. The gorge is 650 feet deep and only a few hundred feet wide where Highway 64 crosses it. The bridge itself is the second highest of its kind, and really beautiful.
You can cross the bridge by foot on either side of the road if you dare. At three points on either side there are observation platforms that jut over the gorge. I overcame my fear of heights to make the trek, though I stopped several times as my body kept telling me I was going to die. The view was spectacular.
Here's proof that we made it.
Next, we headed a couple of miles down the road to the Earthships community, an experimental collective of passive solar houses made of natural and recycled materials. The sales center was quite a sight.
Many of the homes were primarily underground, but some were quite extensive and beautiful, in an extremely contemporary way. No adobes here.
On our way back to Santa Fe, the smoke got thicker and thicker. The sunset was very interesting, highlighting the north and south sections of the Las Conchas fire, now at over 113,000 acres.
The northern part of the fire is an unfolding tragedy, as it's destroying a major portion of the Santa Clara Pueblo. Although most of the modern dwellings have been protected, many of their sacred sites and archaeological treasures have been burned. Their sacred mountain took a direct hit, and their watershed, which they depend on for irrigation, has been compromised.
On our way home, we stopped at Tesuque Village Market and ate our "last supper" of chile relleno and chicken and chorizo burrito. We said goodbye to our favorite waitress, Laetitia, and wished her luck, as her boyfriend is fighting the Los Conchas fire.
This morning we went to the Farmer's Market, mostly to buy a case of raspberry chile jam to take home. Next we went to the Plaza so Marie could buy herself a purse for her birthday. (Those of you who know Marie understand the importance of this quest.) After much looking and caressing, she found the perfect one and left the Plaza with a big smile on her face. When we got home, we dug into the task of gatheirng two month's worth of stuff and getting ready to go home. A sign this morning in the parking garage at the Railyard gave voice to our feelings about leaving Santa Fe.
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