10th August.
Our journey to Taos was extended for over an hour as we were diverted from the main highway from what appeared to be a bad car crash.
There were a lot of news crews filming away, and it was only later in the night, when we had settled into our room at Taos, that we’d realised what we had seen was the conclusion of the capture of the Dougherty Gang.
Other than that, the I-25 wasn’t a great drive. Not until we got toward the New Mexico border and into the Raton Pass, that gave us some really nice views.
Hitting the state of New Mexico, the landscape turns lush. We pass through some really remote and beautiful towns. Eagle Nest is one. But the town feels like a place for people in transition. Probably due to the number of RV parks.
Here is a lousy panorama along the way, and a closer view of the same below.
We drove beyond Taos to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which seems to be a choice spot for suicides. It was sad to see the number of notes and flowers lining the bridge in memory of loved ones.
Taos is a little town overloaded with galleries and any other shop to entrap tourists. I didn’t really like it.
We stayed at the El Pueblo Lodge that is highly ranked on TripAdvisor. I was underwhelmed. The room we got was so huge it could easily fit in 2 kings and a queen bed, but had an undersized box airconditioner and a tiny bathroom.
A call to reception and I was informed they have a few fans, “we’ll see ifthey’re still available”. Never got a call back. Zero followup. In the end, we perspired our way to sleep and woke up in the middle of the night in frustration and threw the doors open.
Perhaps it was my uncomfortable stay here that coloured my perception of Taos.
The folks at the hotel recommended Orlando’s for dinner as a shining example of New Mexican food. It was okay, it was nothing special or exceptional. I cannot particularly remember anything particularly flavourful, except for the strong taste of under seasoned chilli that burned the tongue.
