Taos Memories

Hi guys! Wow, it has been a long time since I posted. So much has happened! First of all, good news!! I got a new job about a month ago! I left Oklahoma County, and am now a Business Analyst at Midfirst Bank. I snagged a better, more interesting position at a better company for a pretty sizeable raise. I am 200% happier at work, and i'm REALLY glad now that I made the switch. I'm actually having a good time at work.

Between the two jobs I took a week off work. To celebrate my 35th birthday, I decided to sneak off by myself for a mini-roadtrip. I drove to Taos, New Mexico, intending to have a long weekend of contemplation and personal retreat--ahhhhh, peace and quiet! But, my plan backfired. It was SO beautiful there, and SO charming, with SO many things to see that I didn't do any retreating at all. Instead, I spent the whole weekend sightseeing, shopping through quaint little boutiques and art galleries, eating wonderful food, and taking rolls of film.

I stayed at a fabulous bed and breakfast, the American Artists Gallery House, that really made my trip. It was so cozy & romantic that i'd definitely like to go back w/Alan & stay in one of their jacuzzi rooms. Sleeping in a luxurious bed, and getting up to a nicely laid table where someone has made a fabulous breakfast for you--wow, that felt good! The place was so clean that I thought i'd have to burn my house down when I got home. Their stuffed French toast is the BOMB, and the recipe's on their website.

I also took a half-day horseback ride from Taos Ski Valley up to Luna Peak. It was a clear gorgeous day, & the Aspen trees were just starting to turn from summer green to autumn gold. Although i'll never forget the scenery I saw that day, if you're a cubicle dweller like me who hasn't been riding in years, I would NOT recommend four hours. I think the bones of my seat permanently changed shape by the end.

Although I took a TON of pictures in Taos, none of them comes close to capturing how beautiful it was there. Instead of using those, i've gleaned a few off the web that seem to capture it. There is a particularly beautiful quality to the light there--a golden texture that may come from the dust, the elevation, or...? This artist seems to have captured it better than my photos did:

Here's the chapel at Taos Pueblo, one of the many scenic places I visited:

I think it was D.H. Lawrence who said that "you can't spend any time here without realizing that this is one of God's chosen places on earth". Even after such a short weekend, i'd definitely agree. I can't wait to go back. It was a lovely, memorable way to spend a milestone birthday.

Stand by for more catchup posting soon....