Road Trip: Taos, New Mexico

June 12th, 2006 at 05:50am Keith Hemstreet 8

A scenic five-hour drive from Aspen you will find the mystic, mountain town of Taos, New Mexico.

New Mexico labels itself the “Land of Enchantment” and one would be hard pressed to provide a more accurate description. Crossing the border just south of La Jara, Colorado, we marveled at the expansive view, a contrast of snow-capped peaks with the sparkling waters of a desert mirage. We watched as an ominous storm raced across the high plains, its moisture shaded gray and swirling upward as if caught in the draft of a helicopter’s propeller. In short time, the storm met us head on with biblical force. We slowed the vehicle to a crawl, lost in the downpour, before emerging only minutes later from the storm’s southern fringe to the sight of blue skies and the glow of the afternoon sun.

A landscape of sagebrush and alpine meadows, Taos is where the desert meets the mountains. At just over 7,000 feet, Taos residents boast of the “perfect climate” with mild year-round temperatures.

Dining
Just inside city limits is Cid’s, an organic grocer, and an great place to stock up on necessities. We, however, were much too hungry and impatient to cook our own meal, so we went to Guadalajara Grille for tacos and burritos smothered in salsa verde, as delicious a Mexican meal as I’ve found (including the Mexican food I ate in Mexico). Another excellent choice is Orlando’s with its Southwestern fare and festive atmosphere.

If it’s a spectacular setting you’re looking for try the Steak Out Restaurant, a ten-minute drive from the center of town. Story goes that desperados used this hilltop location to keep an eye out for the law. Sit outside on the veranda and enjoy a filet with a glass of wine as the sun melts into the horizon.

The best place to people watch is the Taos Inn, a historic hotel and pub with sidewalk seating where you can chow down on nachos and sip ice cold beers as summer crowds stroll past.

Accommodations
Our home for the weekend was a quaint adobe on Las Cruces, about a five-minute walk from the town Plaza. The peach colored adobe appeared to have grown up out of the earth, and in a sense, it did. Rose bushes planted around the home provided spots of vivid color. A patio deck shaded by gently rustling aspens and cottonwoods provided the tranquility one craves from a weekend getaway. Click on Stay Taos to browse vacation properties.

There are numerous bed & breakfasts and boutique hotels to choose from. One we recommend is the Casa Benavides Inn on Kit Carson Rd. Classic adobe architecture, affordable prices and the owners homemade granola “a secret recipe” we were told, make this an excellent choice.

For environmentalists who prefer their “green living” with a little pampered luxury, we recommend El Monte Sagrado, ranked one of the Top 50 Resorts in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler. A self-proclaimed “Living Resort,” El Monte Sagrado incorporates solar power, a natural swimming pond, and even recycles water through an on-sight biolarium that is then used to irrigate the property. Each room was decorated with a specific theme in mind, from the island exotic Bali Room to the honeymoon favorite, Karma Sutra Suite. A world-class restaurant, De La Tierra, and full service Spa round out the El Monte Sagrado, creating a truly one of a kind resort.

Writer D.H. Lawrence along with painters Georgia O’Keefe and Agnes Martin put Taos on the map as a place of inspiration, encouraging many likeminded individuals to settle in the area. The town boasts over 150 art galleries housing everything from minimalist and abstract paintings to Native American portraits and Mexican pottery.

A truly unique experience, Taos, New Mexico is well worth the short drive.

Entry Filed under: Environment, Art, Food, Travel, Fractional Post