I am trying to make my way north to Utah, but am easily distracted. Driving to a destination is not really my thing. I much prefer the random unexpected stops along the way. Well this was certainly one of them!
Another u-turn required.
As I was driving I passed what looked like odd housing with solar panels. Then I kept seeing more and more communities of unique looking, some even underground, housing. The road I turned onto to take a closer look had a ‘no trespassing-private property’ sign.
I turned back to the original site I’d seen up the road and was able to pull in. The Visitor’s Office was closed but I wandered around where I was allowed and took photos of these houses which appeared to be made out of recycled materials.
The main building. I found out later they give tours and you can even book a stay in the houses overnight. It may benefit me at times to find a travel partner to look up things a little further in advance.
I googled to find out more about this company/cause. So I guess this is a global sustainable company. How have I never heard of it? Guess I’m just not in that field of work. But so cool!!!
The visitor’s center.
Tires and bottles are a material I recognize.
Each house has an out-of -this -world look to it. As if it’s from a different planet/universe.
I read that these houses are not cheap.
Solar a must. Curious what other clever sustainable energy they utilize.
I wondered if they helped design them or it’s up to the individual owner to figure it out based on materials. I’m sure a tour would be fascinating.
Testing site?
Other houses from afar. They had most of the area roped off which I respected. I wasn’t in one of my defy -the- rules mood.
So random to see this type of housing in the middle of the desert with nothing else for miles.
Glad to see some designers embracing this new attitude. I saw a sign for Eileen Fischer’s store when I was in Sante Fe which read: “ a simple wardrobe, a sustainable life”. We all need to consider our part.
I read that this bridge is the second highest suspension bridge in the country and was only 7 miles away from Taos. I thought I needed to go over it in honor of my college roommate Cindy who absolutely hates bridges🤣
Side note: I went on one date with a guy who was drunk when I showed up. (Shows his character) When I asked what’s one thing people don’t know about you, he told me how he jumped off the Ohio bridge on a dare. People can be surprising. What one person fears another boldly embraces.
There was a rest stop right after you crossed over, which was perfect.
It had trails you could hike along the gorge.
I hiked and then tried to get close to the edge to take a photo.
There was a storm coming so I wasn’t going to hike too far away.
This view was taken away from the bridge. You can see the rain coming down in the distance.
This was the furthest I got then turned back toward the parking lot.
I decided to see if I could actually hike over the bridge.
I found a dirt trail and it took me to the guardrail which I stepped over. Love the last kiss graffiti.
On the bridge looking out toward the gorge.
This was looking straight down from the bridge. Definitely would die if you fell. That’s what I was thinking.
Ethan texted me to tell me that his friend Lauren thought I would enjoy the city of Taos. I’d never heard of it before but google mapped my way there this morning instead of hiking which is what I originally had planned.
It’s one of those fly by the seat of my pants things’ that always seem to turn out perfectly. It was a two hour drive so I planned to have my one meal of the day there. The temperatures dropped tremendously on the short drive and I had to unexpectedly throw on my fleece.
I was in the middle of nowhere and I did a u-turn to check out this roadside brewery called Blue Heron. It was 11 am on a Monday, I was surprised they were open. I honestly needed to use a bathroom desperately so I made this my excuse.
I love ordering flights, that way you get to try a handful of their specialties. When on vacation it’s never too early to have a beer. I finished up a couple of emails as I sat in the sun.
When I got back on the road I noticed a beautiful river running along side the highway so I pulled over to take a closer look. It’s part of the Rio Grande.
I googled best rated restaurants in Taos and this one popped to the top of the list. Conveniently there was a free parking lot directly across the street. I think I picked this restaurant because of the bunny logo.
Tacos were amazing. A great meal choice to start my day with.
Behind this restaurant was the plaza. A lot of history in this town.
I’ve never seen a sculpture like this one. So clever.
Sculpture seems to have a bigger presence in the west. Not exactly sure why or if I am just noticing it more.
Interesting choice of banners to place side by side.
A tribute to the veterans in the center of the plaza square.
Always looking up.
Mural in town.
I just adore how some of the stores are set back through courtyards.
My selfie of the day in one of the archways.
Details in this town are purposefully designed. The colorations of the stores with twisted turquoise accents and brick walkways.
Everywhere you walked was cohesive. Mostly local artisan shops which were tough to resist. I kept reiterating to myself ‘ I need for nothing’, because truly I do not want to accumulate more things. I have my tattoo as a memory and a couple tees I purchased for myself.
Seriously are you seeing the perfect color combos. As if Taos is required to only use certain tones. I was also admiring the pottery along the shelf.
I couldn’t help but smile when I saw this dripping rainbow on the corner of the coffee shop.
Gotta gave a church.
This rainbow bench with the saying “ be the reason someone smiles today” reminds me of the homeless man I met in Taos.
I noticed him in the plaza the minute I arrived. I was sipping on my to-go cup coffee from lunch. I saw him notice me and I was wondering if he wanted my coffee or was just entertained by my hodgepodge attire.
A woman approached him and tried to convince him of something. Then I heard her say “ I tried”. She then asked him if he wanted a tarp for the night because it was looking like rain.
He then got up and walked away from her. He obviously did not want help- or her attention. I noticed the back leg of his jeans was completely ripped and you could see his bare leg which was scraped up and red.
As I toured around town I would notice him across the street at the same pace as me. Everywhere I went I saw him. I threw out my to-go cup and later saw him with the same looking one. Did he grab it from the trash? Was he mimicking me?
As I was heading back to my car I smiled through my mask at him. I know he caught it because he then shouted “ Ha! Ha! Ha!” it scared the shit out of me it was so loud and unexpected. I made sure he didn’t follow me to Vanessa, who by the way got a much needed car wash today.
After my church service, I grabbed an iced coffee and quickly meandered back to the museum I wanted to see. Only to find out, it was appointment only and they were sold out until mid June. Good for them, bad for non planners like myself. So there’s my second curve ball of the day. How many more are coming with my new lesson of “ being like the river?”
I started wandering aimlessly trying to see what this town was about. From what I did see, it was filled with very high end products with luxurious price tags rightfully attached. Bracelets started in the $1000s, artwork even higher. Magnificent one of a kind pieces. But I need for nothing and am not a collector of any sorts.
I enjoyed the architecture of Sante Fe and it’s perfectly shaded walkways.
I wandered and saw many sculptures that I enjoyed.
This one is spelling out the YMCA, with kids posing, a perfect white picket fence in front symbolic of the Americana home and messages below each child encouraging positive self image.
Not sure why these fish are jumping up from the sand but it’s cool with the western building in the background.
This was outside the Native Museum.
I tried to take a few photos of their high end goods. These shoes were all hand stitched.
Check out the wood vase and those perfectly embossed handbags. I noticed the “ help wanted” sign and for a split second wondered if I could live/work here. But heck I didn’t even have the wardrobe to work here🤣
The town square started to fill up with people leisurely making their way through their Sunday afternoons. I heard a homeless trio speaking about how emotions were not logical. Very interesting topic.
Love the shadows casted onto the brick and the steer metal sculpture in the background.
Burro alley. It had a statue also in front but too many people were posing with it so I gave up this photo opp.
Another church along the way.
A very cool hotel. Perfect representation of the style here.
I wanted to check out this sculpture park but it was closed.
But I took a few photos with the ones on public display out front.
Native American sculptures which I embrace seeing out here since they are non existent in the Midwest.
Red art perfectly giving a peek of the clear blue skies.
The oldest house in the USA established in 1646. This confuses me a little bit because certainly people lived here before that date. Maybe it’s just the oldest permanent dwelling still standing?
The oldest house was next to the oldest church. So the church is older than the house. Think about that.
Very simple design with a church bell to call the community.
I got lost for about an hour and hadn’t gone to the potty since 6 am. I had to find a place to eat! It was now noon and my body was hating me. So after finding my lunch spot, where I enjoyed a breakfast burrito, I decided a margarita was needed.
As I sipped on my margarita I remembered my friend from Phuket, James had spent 1/2 his time in Sante Fe. He was now traveling in Columbia. I texted him and he gave me a ton of suggestions. One of which was to go to this rail yard area.
On the 15 minute walk there I appreciated the unique colorations and housing. So different.Upon arriving to the rail yard district, I loved it right away noticing its street art!More murals. Check out this perfectly representative capture with the sky, the mountains and the tracks. A perfect Sunday. I’m always noticing flowers with their intricate details and unique color combinations. Another beautiful rose I took the time to smell and said thank you. I remember seeing an interview way back with Oprah and she said every time you smell a flower you are breathing in life from a different plane in our universe. I’m sure I butchered that, but spiritually I know what she was saying.
Outside one of many art galleries. Notice the two men helping each other climb up the pole. The scale of it is great!
Inside one of the hand crafted shopping areas here. I decided to try out one of the breweries. I tasted 6 different beers from Bosque Brewery. One was named “pickle down economics” and tasted like pickle juice! As I was getting tipsy, I borrowed an iPhone charger from the bar and googled the best tattoo shop in Sante Fe. It happened to be right next to where my car was parked. My perfect Sante Fe ending.
The clouds moved in and were beautiful on my walk back.
I called the tattoo shop and asked if they could squeeze me in. They said to come at 4 but expect to wait. So I came at 4:15.
The owner wasn’t happy that I didn’t come on time and I kindly told him how he said I’d have to wait anyways. He told me he closed at 5pm. And he wanted to see what I wanted done.
I showed him my idea and he said he could possibly do one part but not the words. So I said, okay I’ll get it done someplace else. Then he backtracked and told me to come back at 5:30.
I walked around some more and then got a message from Ethan, the guy I met while walking the petroglyphs trail.
I met up with him and his friend Lauren for another unneeded adult beverage.
I went back to get my tattoo, on time this time. He wanted cash so I asked him to estimate and then went to pull out money from the gas station ATM. I told him my design was easy and he said never tell an artist that. After finishing he admitted it was a simple design and he lowered his price.
As Guido went to work we chatted and really got along. He was from Italy. Had travelled the world. Was an illustrator for a publishing company in NYC during the late 90s, same timing as when I was living there. He moved to New Mexico for a woman who he now is married to and has a 15 year old daughter with. I think he understood me and even joked with me about how I came late and his old fashion artist mentality is that you always wait for a tattoo.
Always great moments shared with the characters in our world. I seem to find the right people to beautifully guide my journey through not only this trip, but life. I now trust that I will never be lonely.
After taking off the wrap this am I took this photo in my van pjs with the sun coming in to start my day. ❤️
This is not at all the day I intended. Church, drinking, tattoo 🤣. But it was the day as it unfolded beautifully as it was meant to.
I boon docked last night in a remote location and woke up with the sunrise. I knew I wanted to go to Sante Fe today to check out the sites and shops.
There were just a few things I had on my to do, one being the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
When reading my Jesus Calling which I still do every morning ( **thank you Denise Dewitt who bought me this book when I got divorced to help guide me) it said not to plan my days and let God make alterations to any agenda I may have. I feel like I’ve been living that way on this trip, so I quickly digested it and moved on my way. It didn’t feel so deep or reflective in the moment.
But that quickly changed as my day progressed and I saw how it was a very necessary first step in my Sante Fe experience. Upon arriving to the town I drove past the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which opened at 10 am. I parked close by, knowing this city is quite walkable.
As I was seeking out some coffee to possibly kill the hour before the museum opened, I heard the church bells of The Cathedral Basilica ringing. I love the sound of church bells and I started walking faster to find the church it was coming from. Wearing my pigtails, cut off shorts and Bunbury tee, I was somehow spiritually led into their 9 am mass.
I am not Catholic. But I love the architecture of the historical Catholic churches and can appreciate their investment in art. Although I do not believe it should personally be invested in such extravagant expenses and that instead should be put toward the hunger/needs in the world as Jesus taught. But, not here to argue any of that. Just making it known that I am not Catholic.
The church bells were like a calling and led me to this gorgeous church with its doors open welcoming parishioners. I snapped this photo as I was making my way in.
Once inside I did my best to show respect of their service and attempted to follow along. It’s very habitual to me. My monkey brain was jumping all over the place with thoughts and most of them were not about church.
I watched the alter boy walk in circles with the priest and I watched the priest wave an incense lantern of sorts as if it did something holy. I was thinking how we are like zombies just following mindlessly because we love the comforts rituals and routine provide.
I closed my eyes and asked God to help me refocus on what He wanted me to hear. My brain was jumping across subjects from a new potential love, to my next trip move, to what am I doing with my life, to damn it Tonya listen to the mass! And honestly that’s when the priest hit my heart strings with an ironic message about “ change”.
I literally whipped out my journal and kept taking notes on his message.
Are we in the same position with our relationships with both Christ and family as we were in years past, or have those relationships evolved. Are we engaged in our days or mindlessly walking through them?
He spoke about how the Universe sends messages in so many different formats- people, nature, music, art, etc. stating clearly that we must let go of our pasts and be like a river that is constantly flowing. You all know how this spoke directly to my nature loving heart.
“ Die to old ideas and embrace new ones and a new reality”. Amen. Wow. Just wow. If anyone knows me, I needed to hear this. I tend to cling onto the past and have even done therapy to help understand why I get stuck. Mentally. Physically I can move and groove😁
So happy to have been given this opportunity to listen and hear this particular mass. It continues to encourage me to keep following my instincts but lose my mental grip I’m dragging along from past hardships.
I took this photo quickly as the service ended. I sat next to this painting and kept glancing at it. It disturbed me. Why does the person have Jesus’ head in their hands?As I left the service, I turned around and took one last picture before moving on with my day. First church service I’ve attended in literally years.
Petroglyph National Monument came up on my google search as an easy trail to hike in Albuquerque. Unfortunately they closed the gates at 4:30pm. I was able to make it into the visitors center and was informed by the ranger that there was one trail outside of the main gate up the road a bit that did not close.
I decided to drive the extra miles to check it out. It was a one mile hike and you could see the ancient petroglyphs.
Notice how there is a small white addition at the top that says to go left? Well I went right. I missed that note.
Sign as you entered the park.
Because I took the wrong way, I hiked up a very steep sandy hill only to not view any petroglyphs. I stood at the edge of the hill and took this photo of the beautiful view.
A young man approached me asking if I knew where the petroglyphs were. He came from the opposite direction as me. I asked how far along he had walked and we determined we were both in the wrong place.
I stopped a jogger who I was admiring earlier to ask if he knew where we needed to be. He did not. He only ran this same route. That’s when I remembered how it’s important to be tourists in our own towns. There’s so much to see that we glimpse past because it’s part of where live.
In his defense he looked like an athletic college student who probably was focusing on other things during this stage of life.
So Ethan and I walked back down the sandy steep incline to properly find the direction we should’ve gone in the first place. We decided to walk the trail together and we had the best conversations.
I took this photo from our lower trail to show where we had been standing earlier. See the tiny people at the top? Another lost tourist group.
Talks about how the rocks were formed from volcanic activity of past.
Talks about the art form and these carvings dating back to the 1300s. In America that is ancient, other countries maybe not so much.
The first one we spotted. Looks like some sort of animal sexual activity. My mind is in the gutter.
Most of the people etched had the three strands of hair coming off the top of their heads. Yes I realize a geologist or archeologist would be appalled at my descriptions, but I’m not interested much in research. Just art.
Nice to know the five fingers have been with us for awhile now.
As we walked it was like a treasure hunt staring up into the pile of rocks trying to find them.
But there were tons. Birds, people, animals and circular rings.
He looks as if he’s been shot through the nose with an arrow.
I labeled it as ancient graffiti and joked it was probably the hang out for teens while smoking and marking their territory.
Ethan.
I swear some look alien.
I see a rabbit in this one. But you all know I love rabbits. I also see a square headed dog.
Someone riding a beast.
A person?
This shows you the true scale without the zoom and crop features. Was like a scavenger hunt.
Definitely a space ship. Ethan is a StarTrek fan and said “what else could it be!?”
I’m sure someone knows exactly what this all means.
After completing the trail and parting ways with Ethan, I needed to find my van location for the night and headed toward Sante Fe. On my app there was a site that looked like good old fashion boon-docking. Off the beaten path, free random parking.
I was a bit nervous when I saw how desolate it was, being by myself. I also wasn’t sure if Vanessa could handle the sand. But there were other RVs who found their spots so I pulled off the gravel road and parked beside a few trees for coverage.
This is my view as I parked. You can see another RV in the distance.
This review has me holding my bladder until daylight 😬 It is literally pitch black and dead silent out here. I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight!
In case you don’t hear from me again. Start the hunt here. Goodnight blog. 🌙 Goodnight fabulous day. Til we meet again.
After my parking expired sadly again at Old Town, I googled the Native American Cultural Center that was also on my list of possible things in Albuquerque to check out. It was scheduled to close in 45 minutes but was only 7 minutes away. So I decided to go for it!
It was 10$ to get in but was perfectly small enough to do in an hour. I rushed through and did my best to appreciate their history. Not sure I fully understand all the political aspects of what was done to integrate them into the white man’s culture but it’s a shame, in my opinion, that it wasn’t adapted the other way around.
Pueblo Cultural Center.
Entryway.
A little history of their beliefs. Touching upon the story telling as a way that they record their past.
Loved that the main display was about the women in their communities.
The first to become a judge.
A designer of pottery. A skill and craft she handed down to her family.
Rina, an architect and Roxanne a sculptor.
Love this bad ass artist.
There was an interview on video to watch regarding their forced education and work as well as many old photos with history regarding the relocation of the Pueblo people.
A beautiful art piece regarding. Those are war gods.
Waking up with the Rio Grande view was amazing. I contemplated putting on my bikini and going for a swim and possibly staying another night. But I decided to move on, head north to Albuquerque today and see what fun things I could find there.
I fueled up Vanessa and headed to a location called Old Town. Really had no clue what it was but thought it sounded authentic and worth checking out. I was not disappointed!
Some cool history about this location.
Stucco buildings with iron metal accents throughout.
Came across this wonderful town square where I sat for 45 minutes in the shade appreciating my discovery of this place.
What an amazing carving inside this tree! This was in the courtyard of the most famous church here.
Stunning architecture and landscaping.
Historically the oldest church in the city.
As I wander around the country there are always churches. It’s such an important part of the American history and culture of every city.
Front view which is on all sorts of trinkets in the shops.
Loved the colors of this walkway. Invites you in.
Captured the gorgeous shadows of this alleyway.
There were endless courtyards with artisan shops. I had to stay out of them. I was a sucker for their craft and sales pitch about the local artists.
Loved the little donuts as yard signs.
I walked up to the second floor of this place just because you could and nobody else was up there. I was curious if there was a view. Instead I ended up going into a store where the owner was from Cleveland and went to Miami University of Ohio. Small world. Well of course I had to buy something!
Felt perfectly placed in this setting.
A rattlesnake museum. No thank you.
Masks were heavily mandated. The Cleveland guy told me that New Mexico was very strict with their regulations and will site/fine people. The McDonald’s and Starbucks are still drive through only.
I was getting a kick out of the stickers in this shop and how they were westernized with their subjects.
I was recommended to go to the Church Street Cafe for lunch. When I walked in, it looked completely empty but she said there would be a 1/2 hour wait. So I put my name in and wandered into more shops.
When they called me, they took me through all the empty indoor seats and then to the back which was gorgeous and opened up to an outdoor patio. Covid rules were strictly enforced here.
First decent Mexican food I’ve had. Unfortunately I had to rush through my lunch because I knew my parking was expiring. I thought two hours would be enough to explore, but it wasn’t. I decided to put in another hour and return to truly enjoy my time in this quaint area.
They sat me with the saints. Whatdoya suppose that means?
Walkway to the patio.
In their patio there was a gentleman playing the guitar and the kids were loving it.
This sign made me smile. Stones, feathers and old things, just what I was shopping for 🤣
I feel like this quote captures all my days recently!
This morning I woke up early and wanted to check the McKittrick Canyon 20 miles up the road. I drove past and the gates were still closed. So I pulled over at the next rest stop contemplating my next move.
My car’s clock had automatically switched to an hour earlier making it 6:45 am instead of what I thought was 7:45 am. My iPhone on the other hand remained. So I really wasn’t sure if the park was going to open in 15 minutes or an hour and 15 minutes.
I decided to head back towards El Paso and forego today’s planned hike. As I was driving back in the direction I came I saw they’d opened the gates so I slammed on my brakes and decided that my body was able to take on 4 miles even if only functioning off the trail mix it consumed the night before for dinner.
Sign explaining the area.
The beginning of the trail. I was the first one on it this am. The only car in the lot.
The sun was rising and was not yet hot. I was loving the lighting it cast onto the landscape.
Shadows were everywhere
Looking down into the dry riverbed.
This trail eventually led down to cross the rocky riverbed. But unlike the Devil’s Trail, at this part of the park, they laid out larger rocks to enclose a pathway so you knew which way to go next.
Looking back across the white rocky base, it was interesting to see the different textures of the walls. You could see how high the river had been through the years past.
Another one of those two toned trees. This time they look like dancing partners!
Gorgeous these mountain/canyon hikes.
The shadows made it even better. I never knew a morning hike was this peaceful. I usually always hike in the afternoons.
Came across these three beauties having their morning breakfast.
Then the trail led to a small creek. I was surprised there weren’t more animals nearby.
In the middle of the desert there is water to be found.
Not sure why but when I saw this tree, I thought, death can be beautiful too.
The landscape changed on this trail to be tree covered. Was so interesting to me.
Then it made sense as it led to another waterway. This water was so beautifully clear. I kept cupping it
So strange and wildly gorgeous in my opinion. I am so thankful to be among different natural terrain to fill my head with newness. Every day has been so rewarding.
This doesn’t even look like a desert. I love the way the tree is reaching over the path as if to perfectly frame the journey ahead.
In the shade.
My location. Love when google maps works.
Coloration is key. I so enjoyed the transitions as I progressed along this route.
Check out this trees geometric bark. Mathematician or artist?
I turned around on this trail after going one way for an hour and 15 minutes. I wanted to grab lunch in El Paso and still hit one more national park today. I mean I bought the pass right?!
As I was heading back into the parking lot, guess who was parked right beside my car. Yep, Steve. I cut his new stories short by telling him I needed to eat. He kindly grabbed me two granola bars. ❤️
As I was driving toward El Paso, there was a patch of desert that looked like salt.
Then it turned back into the nothingness for miles.
My first stop was the visitors center to grab a map and figure out a game plan. While being helped by a very young ranger, I was convinced to buy a National Parks Pass and stay for the night in their lot. After all, I was now 1 hour from VanHorn and there was nothing else near, just nature!
Please understand this blog is for me to remember, to appreciate and to house my photos while sharing with anyone else who may be interested or possibly inspired by it. But I understand some of these photos and posts may be quite boring and redundant. I’m not trying to entertain or be anyone but me. 😘✌🏼
I asked the ranger which trails I should consider, knowing it was already late afternoon. She suggested the Devil’s Trail which was right where I would be van camping for the night.
The start of the trail was easy with a great view of the mountains.
Those cute little star plants, not so cute up close. Their green thin leaves are completely lined in thorns. Every plant out here looks softer until you get snagged by it!
Very rocky and dry. Impossible to capture how small these grand mountains make you feel.
Now this squiggly cactus is new for me. Looks like a bad hair day.
The burnt orange color in some of the plant life added to the landscape.
As well as the dead wood trees. They look so wicked! Surviving out in the desert definitely is only for the sharp edged.
Beautiful combination with the round shaped cactus, the thin prickly branches, the softer ( looking/not touch) greenery along with the mountain background.
I was loving these twisted red colored Texan trees. I’d never seen anything like them.
Again with that warm burnt orange thrown in!
I was truly enjoying this hike and all the greenery combinations. The weather was cool with a breeze. The desert in May is perfect weather!
I’m so used to seeing fallen trees on my hikes in Ohio and Kentucky but out here it’s rare to see a pile of dead wood.
No comment needed, this is pure perfection of natures canvas.
I absolutely love the black and white twisted tree. Working together. All answers to life are in nature, truly.
I think I was the only one who dared to go down into the riverbed. At first I turned the wrong way and was missing Noni from my Thailand hiking days. He would always brave ahead to see if it was a promising direction. I needed him to help me manage this trail.
Survival of the fittest. That tree was making it work!
I followed the riverbed for about a mile. Wondering if the height of its walls would ever lower enough for me to find my way out. I wondered if hiking with someone else helped since at least one person would have common sense, but on my own, it was just me and my instinct.
And there’s those beautiful yellow desert blooms.
As I kept walking along the river bed, a hole appeared and I honestly wasn’t about to see what may be inside. I was beginning to wonder if I was getting out of this riverbed.
Eventually I found a lower level and a small trail out and back up to the main pathway I started on. They always say to never take the same path twice. Or, something like that. It definitely would be easier sometimes if I did.
Tonya Takes Thailand 