Day 7

Left Santa Fe, NM 2PM Mountain Time. With stops in Dixon, NM and Taos, NM. Final destination Eagle's Nest, NM approx. 7:30PM Mountain Time. Approx. 100 miles.

Over a week since our last workout, an invigorating gym session was much needed. Doobin and Rob even ran through the downtown.

After cleaning up and leaving perhaps nicest hotel we'll stay at during our trip (Eldorado), we headed to the Museum of International Folk Art at the suggestion of Mrs. Franklin. Fascinating museum, full of folk from various cultures and time periods across the world. The special exhibit displayed a selection of artifacts from Andean cultures. Rob found the Corpus Christi festival garments particularly captivating.

We grabbed at a pizza joint in downtown and hit the road for Taos. The ride to Taos provided us with a welcomed break from highway driving and some of the most breath taking view of our trip. Winding our way alongside the Rio Grande reminded us of the Rockbridge County countryside that we learned to love in college...only the view here are a bit more epic.

Apparently, this area is a rich wine country. Naturally, we stopped at the best winery in valley courtesy of another good recommendation from locals. We tasted wine, chatted with the most authentic local we've encountered to date (a self described hippie, roughly 60, well traveled, with a fear of the deep, a passion for fishing with his Mexican buddy, naked women, and good wine. A true gem.) We purchased some wine and continued our jaunt to Taos.

We drove through the city of Taos, a place our future wives will come to love, and made our way to the Rio Grande Gorge, an enormous crevice in the middle of the desert with snow-capped mountains in sight.

After checking out the gorge we went back into Taos for a quick bite to eat and then drove through some of the most pristine mountainous countryside these eyes have ever seen on our way to Kaaren's cabin outside of Eagle's Nest, elevation approx. 9000 feet.

The cabin itself was located in a breathtaking setting nestled into the side of a fir covered mountain. After arriving we briefly explored the surrounding woodlands and then made our way to the second story deck to watch the sun set over the mountains to the west, enjoy the prolonged twilight, witness the thousands of stars emerge from the east, and finally gaze upon the waxing moon follow the sun creep past the horizon. Of course several bottles of wine were enjoyed as we watched the celestial light-show take place.

Woke up on Day 8, departed the cabin, and knew we must hit a coffee shot to keep our followers up to date with our adventures. So, here we sit, in Angel Fire, NM writing the blog. Las Vegas, NM is our next stop (to return the cabin key) and then it's off to Mesa Verde, CO.


All the Road's Best and a generous helping of peace and love,
The Three Dudes