We’re going stir crazy back home in Phoenix, Arizona. After taking care of necessary business, three months of living downtown has us yearning for travel. Somewhere. Anywhere. And boy, we hit the jackpot. The drive from Phoenix to Taos, New Mexico provides a welcome diversion from the mundane scenery of the same old interstate. Twisty mountain roads take us through Payson to I-40 and makes driving pleasurable.
The town of Taos on the eve of Christmas fills us with warmth as we stroll down the sidewalks. This warmth could come from millions of artfully decorated holiday lights, wrapped around 100-year-old black willow trees in the town square.
Nah, most likely it comes from the complimentary hatch green chili stew back at the “El Pueblo Lodge.”
Rather than indulge in festivities downtown, we decide to head back to the room and enjoy an intimate evening, feasting upon complimentary green chili and tamales in front of our wood-burning fireplace. The El Pueblo Lodge becomes our favorite house in Taos.
Onward to the southern Rocky Mountains in the valley of Red River, New Mexico.
This area could be one of the best kept secrets around for those who like ski resorts full of casual, friendly folks and reasonable prices. There are slopes for every level of skier. During summer months, infinite hiking trails and trout fishing activities prevail.
This will be my first time ever on a pair of snow skis. It’s Marilynn’s second time, if you count when she tried it 40 plus years ago. So, we opt for cross-country skiing at the Enchanted Forest.
After close to two-hours of instruction at 10,000 feet altitude, my energy reserves are about tapped. I flop around like a crashing helicopter while freelancing for another hour. The naturally gifted “Nordic Marilynn” improves with every stroke!
Ahh, back to a bar where my natural talents surface.
I’m tempted to visit an oxygen bar, but opt to thin my blood with barley and hops.
We make friends with a “tweaking” Santa on one side, and an organic farmer from Texas on the other. Red River is no secret to Texans. “Pound for pound, Colorado has better skiing because the runs are longer,” a guy from Texas tell us. “But here the drive is shorter and once you park your truck you can walk to any restaurant or lift.”
Chillin’ and sippin’ tasty local brews, we watch downhill skiers fly through freshly falling powder snow.
Snow floats to the ground. The sun shines above it, and I mistakenly call the rainbow a snowbow. In actuality, snowflakes cannot make rainbows. They make ice halos. So, I see an ice halo directly above my Nordic angel. Who’s the lucky boy?
We could stay longer, content to devour grilled hatch chilis on steak or burgers for every meal, but it’s time to head back to the house in Taos for one more night.
Thank you, Abundant Universe!
You guys live the best life. Love how you make the most out of every moment. God bless and Happy New Year. Where is your next adventure?
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Thank you, Kathie. God bless and happy new year to you guys too! We have hopes of making it to Greenland this spring. Gotta go while we are still mobile!
Glad to see that you don’t always have to traverse the globe to find an exciting adventure. I’ve heard that New Mexico has some beautiful scenery and the pictures are proof of that. Looks like I’ll have to add that to my bucket list. Have a Happy New Year you guys and look forward to more exciting destinations.
Great to hear from you Glenn. For sure, new Mexico, Utah Colorado, the list goes on and on. We have spectacular places in the US, and are fortunate to get out to see it. Happy new year to you and your loved ones too!
Yea! Fun to read about your adventures again! (and great shots). I was in Taos in September, love it there and the green chiles, hmmm. Looks like a wonderful getaway. And if you’re still in Taos, check out Eske’s Brew Pub, started by a guy from Seattle (Steve Eskebak) whom I met on a Greyhound bus in college and dated a tad.
cheers!
Nice to hear from you, Jill and I’m not surprised that you have been to Taos, but figured that you would have visited longer ago. Yes, and you dated a tad? I hear that tads can be fun and interesting. You’ll have to tell us more about that one of these days. Sorry, couldn’t resist. We wish you the best of the best, and hope that you have some fantastic travel adventures coming up.
I always enjoy your great adventures… Jackie and I loves Santia Mountains and Taos.. we did complete a River Cruise, Mosal and Rhine Rivers, Brussels to Basel Switzerland this year. Heading to the Rose Parade Sunday…5 days in Pasadena area.. Keep your adventure stories coming.. Hello to Marilynn!!
We love your adventures too, Skip! Wish that you would write them up once in a while. Those river cruises sound great. So glad to hear that you guys are getting out and about. Maybe we’ll get lucky and cross paths with Mr. and Mrs. Redpath one of these days!
A wonderful winter getaway!
Oh darn, have to stay another night because of a blizzard!
You two are awesome!!!
Thanks for the compliment, Darcie. We just sort of stumble into it, I swear. Love your posts!
you guys are awesome!!
Thank you. I get that awesomeness from you guys!
Ron have all fun you can man. Love your travels check them out all the time. Stay safe
Thanks, Bobby. I was digging your off the cuff travels recently as well!