New Mexico 2013 Part 1

Like the monarch, the swallow, and the Canadian goose we migrate South ever year. We do not go as far as those migrants but we return early to recharge and to start anew.  The New Mexico sky seemed angry when we arrived. We dodged rain storms most of our first day. 

On previous visits we have wanted to visit Puye cliff dwellings. We finally made it happen this time. 

The sky cleared as soon as we made it to the site.

There are not many clocks in New Mexico. Here is one, however.

Ancient litter bugs! I wonder if an Indian Chief shed a tear when they threw these on the ground.

On our first morning in Taos, it was 26 degrees when the sun came up.

It made for a perfect visit to the farmers market going on at the Taos Plaza.

Mushrooms are or were in season. 

Chimayo Reds are in season.

The marigolds are going out of season.

This is virtually the last chance for tomatoes. This farmer and I share the same favorite, German Striped. 

Hatch, Embudo, Arroyo Seco--the origin is not important, they are the real deal New Mexico green chile.

Mountain grown wild mushrooms. Chanterelles.

I think this guy had some special wild mushrooms for sale too.

It would not be New Mexico without a raistra.

The farmers had done a last-minute harvest before the hard freeze.   

The produce was simply brilliant.

I was tempted.  A walk on the back streets tempted me more.

Spectacular adobe work.

True old world craftsmanship was utilized.

I saw some new world craftsmanship too. I usually find it on rocks and not on an adobe wall. 

There was some new age craftsmanship.

This is my favorite photo from the trip. It and the next few were taken at the Mabel Dodge Luhan house.

The house was owned by Dennis Hopper in the 1960's.

He rented it out to a hippy jewelry commune. 

The only commune there now is the pigeon commune.

Tranquility abounds at the house.

I find it hard to believe that this house was a hippy commune. It is now a place wealthy Californians come to commune with the tranquility of Taos.

My house will have lots of walls like this.

It will have many windows like this.

And a front door like this. This is Kit Carson's house. I wish it were mine. It is exactly what I want, just minus 100 acres of land.

Many hours were spent doing what you see in this photo. Yep, I just sat there and took it in. I was listening for the Taos hum.  I have not heard it yet.

This is a place I come to be alone and listen for the hum. You are looking due North up the Rio Grande.

We took a hike in the woods.

Big trees, big rocks, big views.

The big basin of Williams Lake. Snow was already sticking on the slopes facing North.

Wheeler Peak is the tallest mountain in New Mexico. Next year I am going to the top.

We went high enough for the day hike we intended to do.

Coming down had its rewards.

We sure are not in Chicago...

At Casa Kush, again.

The Mayordomo gave  our buddy Jonathan the water. It is done just a little different here. Water is managed using an ancient system controlled by the Mayordomo. Water flows through the assecia from the mountains. These small canals are all over Northern New Mexico. Boards are placed in the header box to force water into smaller assecias.

Here it is flowing under the road to the assecia leading to Casa Kush.

I spent a good hour following the head as it slowly traveled down hill...

... until it floods out onto the  land. This system is primitive and not very efficient but it is how it has been done for many hundred, possibly even a thousand years.

There will be more to come...