Still in NM

  Farmington, New Mexico, United States
Thursday, November 13, 2008

Cafe

Left the cafe and went to the Taos Pueblo.  It was an amazing expereience.  The Pueblo is nestled at the foot of the mountains.  It is inhabited by ~50 (I think) people who use no modern conveniences.  They get their water from the river that runs through.  Everyone I encountered, both the inhabitents and those who lived on the outskirts, were so warm and welcoming.  Check out www.taospueblo.com for more info.

Taos Pueblo - first church

I spent a couple of hours and didn't leave town until noon.  I crossed over the Rio Grande Gorge and the Continental Divide.  (BTW, I crossed another time zone yesterday).  I was a little freaked out on the bridge that went over the gorge.  I never thought I had a fear of heights, but on this bridge I did.  I couldn't even walk to the center of the bridge.  A little past the bridge is a group of Earthships, a community of sustainably built homes which are off the radar, using all recycled materials, solar/thermal heating, wind electric, etc.  Visit www.earthship.com for more info. 

Earthship

I drove towards the four courners (CO, NM, AZ, UT) and made it as far as Farmington.  I was a little nervous again driving on a road where I barely saw anyone for over an hour.  But this time, I was up in the mountains, snow and all, and I was a little worried about my car.  The problem with taking non-highway roads is you have no idea what you will encounter, when the next town is, and if there is a better route.  My car did just fine, but I was very atuned to every noise.  The last thing I wanted was to be broken down on the side of the road, no cell phone reception, no passing cars, and snow everywhere.  But, it all worked out fine and I saw some amazing landscapes.  Unfortunately, I did not get any photos of the snow because I did not want to stop :)

I'm at another hotel tonight, which isn't as sketchy as the last hotel.  Looking forward to tomorrow.     

One of the problems with this part of the country is that you all you have are backroads (to my standards).  I was thinking f going to southern Utah but have decided against it.  i am too worried about my car at this point, and I still have to go a long ways.  So, I am going to visit the Grand Canyon, then go south to pick up the highway.