Thursday, October 24, 2013

Taste of Taos

TAOS

Hi guys - 
Every year about this time, my family all heads to Taos, New Mexico
for an annual memorial hike to honor my nephew, Carlos, who
passed away 14 years ago on October 29.

The hike is really strenuous and not all of us can make it.
Some of those who make it say that they're NEVER doing it again.
Yet, the next year they are back, ready to go again.

There were thirteen this year and they left the house at about 11am,
lost phone service, ran into snow, 
and didn't get back down to the bottom of the trail until dark.
We even drove to the trailhead to look for them.

All was well, they had a great time, and we had a feast waiting for them
after they showered and cleaned up.
Enchiladas (two kinds), rice, tamales, sopaipillas, pastelitas.

It was so nice to see family and just hang out.

While they were hiking, I met some of my family at Michael's Kitchen,
the best place to eat in Taos (yum, and Orlando's). 

After that, I started at one end of town and went all the way to the ski valley - 
just driving and taking photos.

Here are some of my favs:

 I love coming around the curve and seeing that flat mesa and the Rio Grande Gorge.

 This is my brother-in-law Dennis and this is his place up in Arroyo Seco.
Now do you understand why I love to go there?
It is so beautiful....

 My husband and daughter leaving for the hike.
I'm sure he's giving me some kind of instructions with that pointing finger.
Probably telling me to be careful when I'm out driving around...

 This is a different angle of the old Taos church.
Everyone always sees it from the back or the front.
This is the side - and if you look closely at the pilaster, you can see the straw mixed with mud.

This is a beautiful view.
I don't know how to describe the location.
If you turn left at the old church and take the back way around Blueberry Hill,
you will run into this beautiful flat land.

 Two horses grazing - can you see a painting here?

 I went to a little bookstore called Hooked On Books and this funky old truck was
at the gas station next door. This is my dream car. Or truck.

 The red chile ristas abound in Taos.
This is a mercantile that has TONS of merchandise.
I think a lot of it is from Mexico.

 The snow covered mountains of Taos

 Driving into Arroyo Seco

 The beautiul old church in Arroyo Seco.

 This is the road that leads to the hike trailhead.
Gorgeous! There is still some green of the aspens on top of El Salto.

 Fall colors....

 The old cemetary behind Arroyo Seco main street.

 Arroyo Seco in all of its glory.

 Famous Taos Cow ice cream

 My favorite old truck - always a pleasure to see.

 The valley of Valdez.
The aspens wind their way down into the valley heading up to the ski area.

 My son-in-law Ben, being as daring as usual.

 Just a place I happened by on my drive.

 Snow at Taos Ski Valley

 Beautiful light

So many colors in once scene.
I have painting inspiration to last me through the winter.

I am finishing up my chair for the Presbyterian Ear Institute
and will post it when it's is varnished and ready for delivery.
Then I'm starting my donation for Weems Artfest.
Even though I am not participating this year, I still wanted to paint a 30x30" 
Elena Gallegos Sunset to auction off for charity.
After that, a 37x37" commission of trees.

Then we'll see what's next.

It's often hard to decide what direction to take as an artist when you
are making plans for the coming year.
Do I do what is expected of me or do I take on some projects I 
have really been thinking about and have intrigued my passion?
And I will have a new granddaughter in a few weeks!
I need to do some thinking and planning.

I ended up taking all of my paintings to Weems Gallery Uptown,
so if you're interested in any of the available paintings,
please call Weems at 505-293-6133.

Here's to the upcoming holidays - 
Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for another visual feast! Wonderful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love that red truck, but the green, red and rust one has a lot more character. You can tell it's been around the block a time or two.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The colors were beautiful!
    The red and green truck is a staple parked at the mercantile in Arroyo Seco. The old red truck was very cool but didn't have the same character. Too perfect!

    ReplyDelete