We head north to Taos and the surrounding sights…we left Bruce and Kim behind (to have four tires replaced). Stopped in Taos to do some grocery shopping and then onto the Taos Pueblo--the oldest inhabited Pueblo. We need to return to do Taos itself, a charming artsy town with a great deal to see.
The Taos Pueblo is a National Monument Park which one might tour. The natives live and do business from these Pueblos (selling their arts and crafts, in addition to baking). The San Geronimo Church which was built in 1850 is a Registered National Historic Landmark and is the centre (center for you Americans) of the community. Unfortunately, we were not able to enter the church because of reconstruction. We did enter several of the Pueblos, which appeared to be lit by gas. We all purchased from several of the spaces and got to chat with the natives. The boys bought fresh fry bread and we both bought bread which had been baked in the outdoor adobe ovens. The Red Willow Creek flows through the centre of the community, and is the native’s source of drinking water. Water is carried to the home in pottery and/or water pails.
The buildings are actually many individual homes built side by side and in layers with common walls and no connecting doorways. The Pueblo looks much like it did when the conquistadors first arrived. The buildings are made entirely of adobe. Adobe is earth, straw and water mixed and poured into forms.
From the Pueblo we drove over the Rio Grande Bridge, one of the largest spans in the United States and the 7th highest. It is 565 feet over the river. We stopped long enough to take pictures. Dave and Phil walked out onto the bridge for viewing and pictures. What a spectacular view!
Sadly we leave New Mexico at this point…a favorite stop for all of us. We headed up to Alamosa Colorado where Bruce and Kim caught up to us. Phil and Linda had been experiencing some ‘braking issues’ with their ‘silver bullet’ and called a diesel service and repair shop when we checked into the campground. “Robert and Marcos” arrived within the hour (7:00 p.m.). They resolved the problem by replacing the ‘brake controller’ in the truck! Such service!!
We were up bright and early and headed for the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The Sand Dunes is one of the country’s most unique and complicated landscapes. The largest dune is 750 feet tall. The Dunes are believed to have their sand supplied by a lake that only exists during wet periods. Having visited dunes on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, these Dunes were quite an experience. School youngsters were there today, arriving by bus loads, to play in the ‘sand’. A busy day!!
We’re in a beautiful campground in Golden west of Denver tonight, with signs greeting us to the fact there is to be NO POT SMOKING…..we’re in Colorado, what would you expect? On to northwest tomorrow.
By the way, this watermelon keeps showing up in Phil's bed. Does anyone know why?
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