Bonus View

I call reflections a "bonus view" of the world around us.  A gift that sometimes...often times...shows a different expression of things that we don't regularly get a chance to observe.  This "bonus view" greeted Preston and I early one morning on our way to the elk hunting area we had chosen.  It definitely helped justify our 4:30 am wake up alarm. 

He's Close By

Preston and I spent the last two days archery elk hunting.  We were never very far away from the numerous bears that also inhabit the area where we were hunting.  Sometimes seeing tracks in the mud can be more thought provoking than actually seeing the bear.  It's that pesky imagination at work again.

It Makes You Feel Good

It's a known fact that color can influence your emotions.  I always notice a change in my mood as soon as I step into the Land of Enchantment.  Color is certainly a significant element in their culture.

Let it Pour

When it rains...and eventually...it will, find a covered place, have a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and enjoy it.  It's one of life’s little pleasures.

Leave it Alone

Time for a home improvement loan?  I think I like it just the way it is.

So Much Talent

Kim (left) and Krystal (right) are two of our favorite people at the Indian Market in Santa Fe.  Kim, of the Hopi tribe, creates amazing bronze sculptures, some of which are in the photo behind them.  When we first met Kim, Crystal was just a little girl, and it's always a joy to visit with them and to see their new pieces.  We just could not resist the one on the wall right between them. 

Where is it?

I have had a few guesses but no one has been correct. 
Here are two clues:

November

Seven    _______


Can anyone tell me where this beautiful wall art is located?  There's a 6 pack of beer for the first one who can. Either alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic beer, or Root Beer (winner’s choice). 

The contest will be open for the next 30 days so keep your eyes peeled.  There is either a nice Happy Hour buzz, or a decadent Root Beer float waiting for the winner.  Your choice.  

The location has to be an address or a very specific description of the spot.  The judge's (that would be me) decision is final.

Let's Dance

Santa Fe is full of amazing sights, sounds, and wonderful places for culinary delight.  You just never know what you are going to see there, but it's always a good time.  Sometimes you just feel like dancing.

 

Mary's

Off the beaten path, where it seems we prefer to spend most of our time, is a small sleepy town known as Los Cerrillos.  At first glance it looks like the only thing to do there is watch dogs sleep, but if you poke around enough you may just find the local hot spot.  We did..."Mary's Bar".  The building certainly exhibits years of use, and when I stepped through the front door I was not sure what kind of welcome I would receive.  A little white haired lady (95 year old Mary) sitting at a table in the middle of the room yelled at me to close the door, "You're letting all my flies out!" she hollered.  I wasn't sure if I should laugh or leave, so I just asked her if she had any cold beer. She put down her pencil, looked up at me through squinty little eyes, and with an almost disgusted look, said “well sure!”. 
We spent part of that afternoon sipping brewed spirits from  chilled bottles, while listening to Mary’s daughter tell stories about the history of the town (established in 1879) and all the crazy miners that once lived there.  At one point there were over 200 bars open for business in Los Cerrillos, but now... it's just "Mary's".

"Ora et Labora"

Just west of Abiquiu, an unfamiliar roadbed filled with tire busting rocks and deep washboards led us for miles along the banks of the Rio Chama.  As we traveled, passing through a sprawling valley bordered by towering rock formations, filled with Pinon trees, Rabbit Bush, and Cholla Cactus, we found ourselves marveling not only at the beauty but also at the remoteness of this place.  At the road’s end we finally arrived at the "Christ in the Desert Monastery".  In this quiet, remote location 40 monks of the Order of Saint Benedict spend their lives practicing what they call "Ora et labora"...prayer and work.  They also spend a good deal of time crafting Monk’s Ale.  A robust beer that is delicious (of course, we had to try it).  No one could argue that it would be a beautiful place to live, but their isolated, restricted life style is for only a special few.

What do you feel?

Fear is universally considered to be the worst emotion of all, and imagination may be the most powerful mental capacity that we have.  When you combine the two, the mind can uncontrollably slip into some terrifying places very quickly.  What did you feel when you first saw this photograph? 

Actually it’s a close up of the face of a very friendly dog.  His tail was wagging frantically when I took this photo, but without that knowledge your mind can conjure up perceptions of all sorts. 

It's Going On My Bar

I had lunch with an old friend today during which he gave me this statue as a gift.  He said he noticed it in a shop in Taos and it reminded him of Mary and I.  I don't know where he got such a crazy idea.  I have studied it from every angle and I can't see how this reminded him of us. I don't have a mustache!  As to any other resemblances…I plead the 5^th.

Never Really Alone

These beautiful Native Cutthroat Trout were almost too pretty to eat...well almost.  Lightly sautéed in some Canola oil with a dusting of lemon pepper, and a little sea salt, they were a delicious treat as a mid morning brunch at nearly 11,000 feet.  I released 14 others.  I’ll get reacquainted with them on some future trip.

We were never actually alone up there...not really.  I think there were more eyes on us than we ever knew...we rationalized that most of them were probably friendly.

These twin sisters were with us most of the time, we saw them everyday.  They didn't seem to care if we joined their world for a day or two.

The Holy Cross Wilderness is another wonderful place, we know will return someday.

Never Ending "Wow"

Around every bend in the trail, behind every rock, or just over the next hill there was always another “wow look at that” moment. 

The splendor was seemingly never ending, and with every tick of the clock the light shifted and the mood of each scene evolved. 

Elevation has an amazing effect, the higher we hiked the more spectacular the flowers became.  It was actually difficult to absorb it all, and even more complicated to do it justice with the camera.  We hope these images give you some idea how fabulous it is.

Alone in God's Country

Just when we think we have found "God's Country" we discover another place that is even more breathtakingly beautiful.  The road we were driving on was washed out by the July runoff which added over a mile to our trek.  We debated what to do, but we tightened our pack straps and pressed on...we are so thankful that we did.  The beauty of Brady Lake, in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area, is remarkable and it is definitely on our list of places to visit again.  The blog photos for the next few days will show you why. 

Once again…to our amazement…we were the only people there.  If you look closely you can see our camp right in the center of the first photo.  Morning coffee never tasted so good!

 

New Backyard

This is Northfield reservoir...the new backyard for Preston, Jennifer, Titus, and Kanyon.  I am not sure which one of them likes it the most.  Kanyon seems to be spending a lot of time in it though.