#TexasToTahoe: Amarillo to Taos
First order of business... gas up the car. Filling up in Texas, we paid between $2.29 and $2.39. Not too bad. Next door to the station was this “Bistro”. Kind of funny... apparently, in Amarillo, Pizza Hut is an Italian Bistro. Romantic date spot?
As expected, we saw cows and cows and cows! So many farms and cattle auctions ran along the freeway. One thing is for sure, they have a recognizable and unpleasant smell. The scent followed us (or we followed the scent) for at least an hour!
How much money do you think these property owners generate for allowing billboard and billboard. Probably a pretty penny. Each sign advertised a different item for sale at Flying C Ranch. We decided not to stop at this obvious tourist trap. As we passed by, we noticed we must have been the only ones not intrigued enough to make a pit stop.
Leaving the giant state of Texas and heading into New Mexico. Just a short drive to Santa Fe and on to the scenic bypass known and the High Road to Taos. While doing research to choose a path back to Tahoe, I came across a review on the route. Intrigued, it was added to our plan.
There seemed to be a disturbing number of crosses, plaques honoring accident victims and cemeteries along this route. Colorful crosses carefully decorated along the roadside. It was odd considering this is not designed for high speed. It's more like small neighborhoods. The cemetery pictured above was one of many on this drive. Always small, always decorated elaborately. Many crosses had windsocks or pinwheels blowing in the breeze.
There seemed to be a disturbing number of crosses, plaques honoring accident victims and cemeteries along this route. Colorful crosses carefully decorated along the roadside. It was odd considering this is not designed for high speed. It's more like small neighborhoods. The cemetery pictured above was one of many on this drive. Always small, always decorated elaborately. Many crosses had windsocks or pinwheels blowing in the breeze.
Everywhere we looked, homes were surrounded by fences like this. It didn't matter if it was a mansion or a shack, the properties were lined with these unique barriers. Referred to a “Coyote Fences”, these barricades are made of thin logs called “latillas” tied together with a bailing wire. As the name infers, these were originally intended to keep coyotes off property but as time goes on, many find the style aesthetically pleasing.
This was one of those moments when you feel drawn to make a turn. Driving down this two lane road for miles, we noticed a sign that said, “Parking for Chimayo”. Considering the entire drive to this point had been private residences, this caught our eye and we decided to turn right at the slight fork. Very good move! Tucked away in thick brush was a clearing... a very large paved parking lot. At first it didn't look like much but since we had to walk the dogs, we got out to explore.
Officially called, “Santuario de Chimayo”, a chain link fencing lined the paved pathway with a pergola style covering. We've been to areas in Paris and Serbia with “locks of love” filling posts on a bridge or the sides of a bridge. This special place had crosses tied to the chain link.
Sapphire and Onyx must have sensed a peacefulness because they were the calmest I've ever seen them! A National Historical Landmark, Chimayo was built in 1816. Spanish style adobe structures and religious shrines could be found throughout the 6.4 acres.
Most noticeable upon entering the sanctuary, are seven arches made of stacked rocks. Sitting along side an irrigation ditch (acequia), the arches frame rock crosses.
Around every corner is a treat… statues, artwork, incredible architecture honoring the years of history.
Every nook and cranny had something new to see. The pathways throughout the grounds led us to so many special remnants of the Spanish culture. This is an area famous for yearly pilgrimages. Hundreds of people trek for miles to the church. The population of this small town grows from 3,000 to 40,000! Native Americans, Hispanics… all people of faith gather together during Holy Week.
Walking around to approach the church from the front was spectacular! Bougainvillea and other colorful flowers graced the landscape. Old wooden doors were wide open creating a welcoming feeling.
Artifacts inside and outside the church provide an insight to the hundreds of years of history in this very place. Just outside the church doors are these headstones.
Everywhere you turn is a new place to enjoy. With 500 acres, this is a location that needs more time than we had to truly “see it all”. We will return in a different season to explore with a different feel. This trip was scorching hot but hopefully the fall will be colorful and cooler!
Considering we had such an issue with our Taos accommodations, I’ll save that until tomorrow…
