"new mexico state of mind": travel guide

Follow me to the land of enchantment...

"Sixteen hours"

That was the maximum amount of driving my father said he wanted to do in one day. Therefore, the family's objective: find a place to go that would adhere to that limit.

We first thought the Smokey Mountains, but my mother was hesitant because of the amount of people flocking there in RV's from all over the South. Thus, when I gave the option of New Mexico, my dad's ears perked up and within five minutes he had found a VRBO in a city called Taos.

"Fifteen hours and thirty-seven minutes," I said. Within the limit? Yes. Pushing it? Yes. However, my dad's wheels were already turning, and before I knew it, my alarm was going off at 3:30 AM on a Thursday morning.

We did not really know what kind of place Taos would be. As a family, we had never traveled to the southwest region of the United States, so the excitement of discovering a new place kept us going during that long drive.

So, when we (mom, dad, little bro Wilson, his friend Campbell, Kyle, and I) arrived at the log built house up on a hill called "El Salto," we could not wait to explore the area.

Here is a guide to what we did while hidden away in the lovely Taos, New Mexico. It was a remarkable place to escape.

HIKING:

The first hike we did was right up the road from where we stayed. It was a hike to the "El Salto" Waterfall. While the waterfall was pretty much just a steady drip, it was still nice to step under it and feel the water splash your face. Also, the rocky slopes were fun to climb and get a good view.

Next we ventured down to the Rio Grande following the Big Arsenic and Little Arsenic trails. We thought this would be a four mile loop, but the "four mile loop" turned into a seven mile trek down and up some cliffs. It was an experience to say the least.

The hike down is relatively easy, and the views are incredible. We saw the once small line curving its way through the canyon get larger and larger. Eventually, we made it to the river's edge. We made sure to spend some time on the rocks, jumping and climbing to take a break from our walk down.

Then my dad said we take the extra jaunt to "La Junta" or where the Red River and Rio Grande meet. If you have the energy in you, I would totally recommend seeing this point; however, just know that the hike back is straight up a cliff. Let's just say we struggled a bit on the way back. My pro tip: DRINK WATER!

Anyways, this hike is very cool, and I am so glad my dad found it. The views are incredible, and the extra challenge is worth it.

The Rio Grande Gorge is a must see. There is a bridge that goes across the 656 foot drop into the gorge. It's a thrill to walk across, unless heights freak you out.

We hiked about three miles along the gorge. It's completely flat, which was a relief from the day before. There were benches you could sit on along the way. I suggest sitting down and just staring because it's a pretty crazy sight to see.

The last hike we took was near the Taos Ski Valley Resort. It was very different from the rocky, arid hikes we had taken before. This hike was through a wooded area with trees and streams. It was gorgeous! The hike was called the "Italianos Canyon trail," but we did not do the whole thing because it gets pretty steep. It's one of those hikes that you can go as far as you would like and turn around when you get tired without feeling like you missed too much.

ACTIVITY:

White Water Rafting

What better way to spend a Monday than rafting down the Rio Grande. While I do not have any pictures from riding in the boat, I can assure you that the views are divine. We used Los Rios River Runners, and our guide James was the Taos spirit incarnate. Laid back with a "let's see what happens" kind of vibe, James guided us down the river sharing stories about the Natives' fight to keep their land and his personal experience living in an earthship (please click, you'll want to see this). He was a character.

Fly Fishing

On Sunday, the boys spent their morning on a day-trip to Colorado to go fly fishing. Little did they know they would experience a fishing rarity. As guides taught them how to maneuver the rod, they soon noticed how quickly the fish began biting.

One area in particular, they nicknamed the "Honey Pot." It was here the four of them spent their time constantly catching trout! By the end of the day, they had caught fifty fish EACH.

Because of the surplus of fish, we were lucky to have eight freshly caught trout for dinner: truly an unforgettable meal.

THE TOWN(S):

Taos

It is said that while Santa Fe is the heart of New Mexico, Taos is the soul. After spending one day exploring the shops, restaurants, and art galleries around the town square, I believe it. A deep spirit moves through its adobe buildings, colorful paintings, and rich culture.

Here are some personal recommendations for a day in New Mexico's soul:

World Cup Cafe

Start your day at this little coffee shop right near the square to get your espresso fix. It is so cute and so good! It's also organic which is always a plus. After you get that energy boost, take a walk through the Historic Taos Square. Make sure to sit in the gazebo and just breathe in the Taos air around you. Perhaps you will catch a local playing the drums or a guitar while you're at it.

John Dunn Shops

This little street of shops is right off the square and is home to a mineral store, artsy boutique, espresso bar, and bookstore. The whole atmosphere of the shopping street screams New Mexico: local, unique, original. You must stop in them all. I promise you won't regret it.

I suggest buying a book at op.cit. books from their local section. While on the trip, my dad read Blood and Thunder. Yes, it sounds a bit gory. However, it is a story about the life of Kit Carson whose home is just a block away from the square. Now a museum, you can stop in and learn about this man, known for being a mediator between the American pioneers trying to settle in the area and the Natives. You can also visit his gravesite in a local park and learn about other well-known historical Taos residents.

The Ron Larimore Gallery

Just a few steps from the John Dunn street is a collection of three stores that were hidden away. The first is this gallery. The artist has beautiful pieces of the Taos landscape. So beautiful, my parents purchased one of the pieces for our home to remind us of the magical trip.

Ennui Gallery: art, gifts, and records

The second store had it all: local art, fun prints, cool scarfs, and a collection of records. This was one of my favorite places because it embodied that free-flowing Taos spirit. In fact, I ended up buying a cup from a local pottery maker with a quote by a long-time resident engraved on the side.

The quote by local Tricia Hurst reads:

"It has been said of Taos that it is not really a town, a village or even a place. It is a state of mind. It's not exactly a spot one stumbles onto...it takes an extraordinary sense of misdirection to end up there in the first place, insanity to decide to stay, and bullheadedness to survive."

I love this quote because my family experienced this sense of misdirection. We were supposed to go to France during the dates of this trip, but COVID-19 put a quick end to that reality. Thus, we were drawn to the land of enchantment, not stumbling onto the mountainous area but rather planning to take a new direction.

Chocolate+Cashmere

Exactly what it says. Some cashmere sweaters and quite a few fine chocolates. The store is teeny, but extraordinarily chic. Kyle and I found this place and knew we had to have a taste. We ended up getting four chocolates: espresso, hazelnut, lavender, and cardamom. It was a delectable dessert taste test.

Ampersand

I could have lived in this store. It had a vintage meets modern bohemian vibe with witty cards, aesthetic notebooks, retro furniture, candles for every occasion, and just about every knick-knack you need for your home. Not to mention the playlist hooked me from the beginning when I heard Ophelia by the Lumineers playing throughout the store.

Each room mimicked a room of a house: a "living room," a "kitchen/dining room," and a "bedroom." Anyways, I've decided I will coming back here after I buy my first apartment because everything made me smile. There was simply a homey feeling about this place.

Because Kyle and I loved it so much, we knew we had to buy at least one souvenir. I purchased a notebook with "What is life but one grand adventure" on the front. Kyle got an old vinyl we found in the "living room" section titled "Paris Calling." Once we left, he handed it to me, telling me I should be the one to take it home and listen, considering I was supposed to be in France over the dates of the trip.

And I did. The vinyl cover is currently sitting on my windowsill with plants in the front, and the actual vinyl is inside my record player. I turn it on whenever I need to be transported to a Parisian street because it is in fact a symphony designed to do just that.

Manzanita's Market

After a lot of shopping, this is the perfect lunch stop. There are sandwiches and salads to pair with coffee, smoothies, and cold drinks stored in this adorable pink fridge.

I stopped here for coffee one day and later went back with the whole crew for lunch. I got a grilled cheese made with freshly-baked bread and local cheeses as well as the house-made bone-broth soup. Dipping that grilled cheese in the soup was heavenly.

My overall recommendation: EXPLORE. Look around and go into the places that pique your interest. There were so many stores and galleries my family (and our companions) adored. There were restaurants just outside of the city center we loved as well. I wish I could have shown them all to you, but that takes away from half the fun. Part of going to a place is discovering for yourself your favorite Mexican dish, the most impressive piece of art or photography, and the best market with goods specifically made by local artisans. That's the beauty in travel, after all.

Arroyo Seco

The final section of this travel guide is dedicated to the tiny town outside of Taos. Well, to be honest, "town" may be an understatement. Arroyo Seco is a street made up of a couple shops, a few restaurants, and the best ice cream I may have ever had. It was closer to our house than Taos, being only a two mile walk right down the hill. The day that the boys went fly fishing, my mom and I took the walk down into town to spend the morning exploring.

Sol Food Market and Cafe

Our first stop was for breakfast at this delicious spot. This became our family's go-to, whether for a quick grocery run or a bite to eat. The day my mom and I went, I ended up going with the Taos Toast with an iced Americano. My mom got the same, and we LOVED it. The bread is freshly baked, the eggs are cooked perfectly, the hashbrowns on the side make my mouth water thinking about them, and the housemade vinaigrette was SO good. We were both very happy. To top it off, we met a person from Memphis at the next table over! Small, small world.

Walking around...

<------- Catch me reading here

A collection of stores to visit...

Santos y Mas Francesca's Rottenstone Pottery

Taos Cow

This place will knock your socks off.

We went here four days in a row. I'm not kidding. It was that good. The cinnamon flavor is unlike any I've ever had, and the Café Olé will be the favorite of any coffee lover (coffee with cinnamon and dark chocolate chunks). They even have breakfast burritos and bagel sandwiches! Located right in the center of Arroyo Seco, this food truck with locally made ice cream is always busy. Behind the truck is a stream, some log seats and chairs, and low-hanging trees (that are fun to climb). It's a must eat and experience kind of place.

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New Mexico is known as the land of enchantment, and now I know why. The way of life there is simply different from any place I have ever been. It's free-flowing and free-thinking and full of beautifully unique landscapes. I hope everyone has the chance to experience this "New Mexico state of mind."

Much love,

Chloé