From the Gorge to the Church
Trip Start
Sep 30, 2011
1
6
11
Trip End
Oct 09, 2011
Where I stayed
What I did
Roi Grande Gorge, St Francis of Assisi Church, Taos Plaza
Taos, New Mexico
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
After that experience we were starving, and went to Antonio's for lunch. We had guacamole that was prepared table side, and I am willing to share the recipe with ya'll (kids you need to be proud).
2 avocados, pit's removed
half a lime, squeezed
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno
2 tablespoons finely chopped onions
3 tablespoons finely chopped tomatoes
pinch of salt
Mix together and serve with tortilla chips
The lunch was out of this world and I highly recommend the restaurant.
The next stops was "Earth Ship" an off the electric grid neighborhood just North of Taos. Some great engineering that goes into the building of the houses. They use tires and cover them with clay and straw to build the walls. They only use natural wind and solar panels for energy, and they have hydroponic plants inside the houses. Glass bottles and cans in the walls are used for decorating and to allow some light into the buildings. Very interesting, and definitely very weird - even for an Austinite.
We spend the afternoon walking in the Taos plaza, visiting multiple art shops in hope to find the perfect art piece to go in the house. Finally around 4 pm we found it, and you are all welcome to come and visit to see what it looks like.
On our way back to the car an elderly gentleman got out of his car and asked, "what about a cup of coffee", I was cold and wet and could not help but answer, "that sounds great". Normally this would be Johan, making new friends in places that he has never been before. We started talking and in the end the guy, his wife (the initial intended target of the invite), Johan and I went to a coffee shop, we had some coffee and wonderful carrot cake. We spend a lovely hour with new friends without even knowing what their names were.
Late afternoon we set off to for some more photo's, but it was raining hard, and we were not optimistic, we did get some photos driving in the bottom of the Rio Grande Gorge. Man I can tell you it is much better being down there, than it is from the top.
Our plan was to take a photo of St Francis of Assisi church after dark, but when we got to the church there was a church service and we did not want to be disrespectful. We went for a loverly dinner at Lambert's, and then it was back to the church.
The rain has stopped and it was quiet at the church. The church has been around for more than 800 years, and what makes it even more astonishing is that the church is build out of adobe (mud and straw). Each year they need to resurface the church. A true work of love.
Now it is 11 am and time for bed, we have a lovely little fire going in the room and I am looking forward to a peaceful night's sleep.
Comments
First off I'd like to say you give engineers way to much credit, we dont have friends and we dont party.
Secondly, I'm an aerospace engineer any "design features" that cause planes to shake can be blamed on turbulence, so I can skip all the class I want....
:-P
No, son, no....
I also fly in planes, and not everything can be blamed on turbulence, you need to plan for it, learn about it. Man, how will I sleep tonight.
Mamma I am very proud of you that we went outside your comfort level but I am also glad pappa got a picture :) and don't worry about Izak they say you can retain information while sleeping if you listen so he should be good! The town sounds beautiful it sounds like you guys are nice and relaxed!
You are just marvelous wirh your descrition of your travel adventures. I even felt the bridge moving. You are bringing it so close to us that we will never need to go there ourselves. Did you solve the glasses problem-I bet you can do that as well. This was a wonderfull trip to share with you and I hope that Annatjie wont miss us on het birthday while we are travelling with you two. I suppose Johan enjoyed the bridge experience especially. Keep it up Johan!
Wow, Aletta, you guys have had some great stops and adventures in NM! All sounds very inviting and YOU may be planning my next NM trip! It's just as adventurous here in the office. Wish you were here! ;)
Thanks for reading the comments. We followed the advice that you and your parents gave us.
I must say I do not miss work, I can definitely make a living out of travelling