Taos

Pre-COVID we had plans to do a Utah National Parks tour the first week of June, before the girls started their summer jobs. When they cancelled our camping reservation and we learned that Bay and Kars would be starting their training for BGC as early as May 26th, we decided that we needed to take advantage of everyone being relatively free for a few days. The girls have good memories of a somewhat spontaneous trip we took to Santa Fe a few years back. Since it isn't terribly far for us we headed down south. 

This time to Taos, NM.

Taos is taking the mask wearing seriously. The hotel we stayed at required that you wear them any time you were not in your room. It might have seemed extreme, but I welcomed the compliance we saw everywhere.

Saturday we went to find some hidden hot springs to soak in. 

We did a little backcountry exploring to find Manby Hot Springs.

 

It was beautiful and remote. We had warned the girls that it was clothing optional and we were surprised upon our arrival that the only other visitor was nude. ... and painting. He was very considerate [or uncomfortable] and covered up while he continued to paint ... quite well I might add.

We found that certain pools were warmer than others 

and moved around to find the one that was just right.

We enjoyed it until another dozen people [and dogs] trickled in and then we knew it was time to move on. We were so glad that we went early as we passed all the people on the trail heading down.

Wanted to remember that little Emmrey grabbed two different water sandals in her packing. 

Luckily they were the opposite feet and the same size.

We found a spot near the ski area for a picnic lunch. It was windy enough to make it not fun to eat outside so we ended up eating in the car. We are getting used to that. 

The girls entertained each other with animal drawings on the crackers. 

Taos has the best of both worlds. 

It was so beautiful in the mountains. Such a contrast to the desert vibe just down the hill.

We went for a hike in search of the native Rio Grande cutthroat. 

We took the trail along Italiano Creek. We had plenty to explore.

matching shirts

Getting fire ... Naked and Afraid style

Everybody that fished caught one. They were little but beautiful.

 These two and their shenanigans!

We were so hungry when we made it back to town. We had read good reviews about Taos Pizza Out Back. When we pulled "out back" to this kinda dumpy shack we were skeptical. After being told by another customer that it was "the best pizza you will ever have", we went for it. An hour wait ... no problem. We went and walked around Taos for an hour after placing our order. 

Taos is a longtime art community and is known for the historic adobe buildings that are consistent throughout the town. We returned to the pizza place where we sat outside and waited ... and watched order after order be picked up. After being told it would be another 30 minutes [and some other nonsense I won't get into], we asked for our money back and were on our way. We were all so hangry and needed somewhere quick. We ended up in the drive thru at Mantes Chow Cart. It was basically fast food Mexican. Not extraordinary, but we were so hungry we devoured it. 

while we were still happy at Pizza Out Back

 Sunday we made a trip into Santa Fe. We stopped along the way at this famous church know for its "holy dirt". Hundreds of thousands of people make the pilgrimage each year to get a small sample of the dirt known for its healing powers.  We saw the sacrisity, but didn't take any dirt. We walked around and listened to the service for a little while that was happening outdoors.

This place was pretty amazing and the setting was gorgeous.

We continued on to Santa Fe and after a picnic, spent the day wandering around the Plaza. 

 

We were surprised to find that the majority of shops were open. We still preferred window shopping.

 Love this part of Santa Fe

Once we were back in Taos it was dinner time. Assuming we missed out on "the best pizza ever", the pizza we got from Taos Mesa Brewing, wasn't too shabby. Bay and Emm shared a vegetarian option, Kars and I shared the Inferno. I was worried about branching out for fear that it would be too hot to enjoy. 

 It was just the right amount of spicy... and so yummy.

The real reason we made the trip to New Mexico was to continue our search for the best Breakfast Burritos. We mostly ate them from Blake's Lotaburger, but our last morning we got some from this little truck. They were spicy but delicious. 

The weather wasn't too great back home, so we weren't in a huge hurry. We enjoyed a leisure drive and took a minute to appreciate this scene fitting for Memorial Day.