This year's annual trip to see Rochelle's grandmother in Taos was probably the most relaxing. I've been there each year for the past three years, and this year we actually didn't do too many outdoor activities. We did, though, bring two patient dogs with us. One, being our 3-year-old black Labrador, Sheva, and a dog for her grandmother, a cream colored six-month old Shepard mix.
With the record wildfire in Los Alamos beginning to spread on the day we arrived, it eventually led to cancellations of many outdoor sights and sounds later in the week. The lack of activities didn't really bother me personally, since I took so many overdue naps, I lost count. That was something I almost never do back home, and it gave me a chance to unwind.
I was always fascinated by these power line crossings on Interstate 287. In the 12 hour trip there, this is the only time they cross the road:
Our good friends Jay and Kayla were road tripping up to Utah, and stayed in New Mexico for a couple of days during their journey. They wanted to stop in Taos to say hello and have us document their vow renewals alongside the West Rim of the Rio Grande Gorge - a beautiful location for two beautiful people, congratulations!:
Here is a collection of seashells, left on an edge, we found on the way back from the trail. A sign of a distant offering:
We visited the Mabel Dodge Luhan House and took our furry friends with us:
Here's a shot of our friend who watched as Sheva played in a nearby water stream:
Later during the week, the fire worsened, and affected my respiratory system a bit when I read outside. Here's a shot of the sun that was peeking between all of it:
You can see the gradations of smoke to non-smoke as you go further back:
And that was pretty much our trip. Even though we didn't travel up, down, and side to side around Taos, it was, as I said previously, the most relaxing:
Thanks again, New Mexico. Until next year.
