Taos - Better Late than Never

Pictures have been a problem getting them downloaded from my camera and took numerous attempts -- perhaps because of the sheer number of images or because my computer's virtual memory is insufficient (like mine maybe).  I did get to Taos on Sunday morning and actually arrived there around 9:30 in the morning but, only to find the Pueblo was closed until 1:00 p.m. for a funeral so, I had a lot of time to waste until then and decided to head for the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge about 10 miles to the west on route 64 -- originally deemed by objecting folks as the "Bridge to Nowhere".  Actually, it connects to US 285 way out in the middle of nowhere (Tres Piedras, NM) and I did remember seeing the road on Tuesday as I drove into Colorado from Santa Fe.

Bridge From Taos (over the gorge)

The bridge was nothing spectacular in its architectural design but, the view from the bridge looking at the Rio Grande River below some 650 feet had me a bit dizzy -- or maybe it was just the altitude of the whole area.  The river looked really small but, I had seen it up close as I drove the road to Taos and it looked pretty impressive and there were white water rafters running the river in the afternoon as I returned to Santa Fe.

Rio Grande Gorge



Kit Carson's House in Taos, NM

After delaying as long as possible or as long as I could stand at the bridge, I headed back into the city of Taos to see a couple sights there before heading out again to the Pueblo.  I walked around the Plaza in town, took some pictures and then looked for Kit Carson's home there -- didn't go in and take the tour but, got some shots of the exterior before checking to see if there was anything I wanted to see in Taos (besides shops).

 When I decided to head back out to the Pueblo to arrive maybe 15 minutes earlier than told, I noticed some nasty weather approaching from the west and wondered really if I should abandon thoughts of going in at all as the weather would intervene and the good sunlight would also be gone.  The desire to see the Pueblo won out and I even got to park right at the entrance into the site -- walked back to the registration and waited for the dozens of others to pay their entrance fees.  The cost was $10 (no half day discounts) and an additional $6 if you wanted to take a camera inside (who wouldn't).



The North Pueblo and plaza















Red Willow Creek


The little stream running through the village (Red Willow Creek) is the natives source for drinking water and has been for the thousand plus years the Pueblos have existed (windows and doors were added later).  Originally, entrances to each little house were on the roof and the ladders were pulled up to keep out intruders or attackers.  I thought the doors have an interesting character of their own and each seemed to be different.



One of many different ones

 

The weather got downright nasty in the middle of the afternoon and the temperature dropped some 10 or more degrees as showers came and went -- and continued on the drive back to Santa Fe.