Tent Rocks courtesy AmericanSouthwest.net Day 4: Taos
Taos Pueblo
Kit Carson Home & Museum
Taos Downtown Historic District
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge at Sunset
After a day of driving and spending the night in our private rental, we will embark on our first full day in Taos. We have planned a number of fun activities and sights to see.
First before I go any further, I must apologize for an error in Part 10. I inadvently said that we were going to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument at sunset, confusing it with our Sunset Trip to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. As such, I failed to tell you about Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument which we WILL be visiting on Day 3 of our road trip along the way to Taos from Albuquerque. The Tent Rocks are cone-shaped formations, which are the products of volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago which left pumice, ash, and tuff deposits over 1,000 feet thick. From the pictures, this looks quite amazing and I can't wait to see them in person!
Now on to Taos!!!
courtesy Taos Chamber of Commerce
The kids are so excited that all the cousins will be bunking up together in our rental house, here in Taos! Tanya and I plan to get the troops up early on our first morning, have a big breakfast and hit the road for an action packed day.
Our first stop will be to the Taos Pueblo. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. It is made up of adobe buildings that are multi-storied and what's so amazing is that the Taos Indians have continuously inhabited them for over 1000 years! That's way before Columbus discovered America! It is believed that the main part of the present buildings were probably built around 1000 and 1450 A.D. Today, there are roughly 150 people that live with the Pueblo Full time. There are other more modern homes outside the old walls, within the land of the Pueblo and in total there are over 1900 Taos Indians that reside on the Taos Pueblo land.
Our first stop will be to the Taos Pueblo. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. It is made up of adobe buildings that are multi-storied and what's so amazing is that the Taos Indians have continuously inhabited them for over 1000 years! That's way before Columbus discovered America! It is believed that the main part of the present buildings were probably built around 1000 and 1450 A.D. Today, there are roughly 150 people that live with the Pueblo Full time. There are other more modern homes outside the old walls, within the land of the Pueblo and in total there are over 1900 Taos Indians that reside on the Taos Pueblo land.
courtesy Taos Pueblo
We will continue on to Kit Carson's Home and Museum. So, who is Kit Carson? He was an American explorer and military leader during the 1800's who has become to some, a folk hero. As a Frontiersman (as well as a trapper, soldier and Indian agent), he is credited with making important contributions to the expansion of the United States westward.
The Kit Carson Home, is now a famous tourist attraction. Built in 1825, Kit Carson purchased it in 1843 as a wedding gift for his bride, Josefa Jaramillo. They would live there for 25 years and raise their children. Today it is a museum filled with artifacts and exhibits commemorating Carson's life and contributions to the westward expansion of America.
The Kit Carson Home, is now a famous tourist attraction. Built in 1825, Kit Carson purchased it in 1843 as a wedding gift for his bride, Josefa Jaramillo. They would live there for 25 years and raise their children. Today it is a museum filled with artifacts and exhibits commemorating Carson's life and contributions to the westward expansion of America.
courtesy Kit Carson Home & Museum
We are definitely going to be quite hungry by the time we get to the Taos Historic district, where we will most likely grab a bit to eat. The history of Taos dates back to its establishment between 1780 and 1800 and is one of the oldest European settlements in the Taos valley. It was originally built as a Spanish fortified plaza encircled with low adobe buildings. It soon grew beyond the walls and turned into an important center for trade along the Santa Fe Trail.
Throughout the 19th Century, it became a center for many artists who made their homes in and around the plaza. Much of the history of Taos and the various historic periods of it can be seen through the various styles of architecture of its buildings.
Throughout the 19th Century, it became a center for many artists who made their homes in and around the plaza. Much of the history of Taos and the various historic periods of it can be seen through the various styles of architecture of its buildings.
courtesy TaosTerritorial.com
courtesy Fine Art America The rest of the afternoon we will spend leisurely walking around the town, picture taking and shopping (which I know Tanya and I are looking forward to doing!).
Finally, as I incorrectly stated in Part 9, here in Taos is where we will be enjoying a lovely sunset viewing the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, locally known as the "Gorge Bridge" and the "high Bridge" is a steel deck arch bridge across the Rio Grande Gorge, 10 miles northwest of Taos.
Our plan is to head over there after spending a nice day in the the Historic Town. We want to get there in time to view the sunset and get some great photos. The kids will more than likely be pretty tired by this point, so our plan is to get them ice cream or another sweet treat. If it's a little chilly, we'll get some hot cocoas to keep them happy while Tanya and I capture some great shots of the sunset.
And that will end our full day in Taos with six travelin' cousins!! Tune in next Tuesday for Part 12!
-Elisa & Tanya
Finally, as I incorrectly stated in Part 9, here in Taos is where we will be enjoying a lovely sunset viewing the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, locally known as the "Gorge Bridge" and the "high Bridge" is a steel deck arch bridge across the Rio Grande Gorge, 10 miles northwest of Taos.
Our plan is to head over there after spending a nice day in the the Historic Town. We want to get there in time to view the sunset and get some great photos. The kids will more than likely be pretty tired by this point, so our plan is to get them ice cream or another sweet treat. If it's a little chilly, we'll get some hot cocoas to keep them happy while Tanya and I capture some great shots of the sunset.
And that will end our full day in Taos with six travelin' cousins!! Tune in next Tuesday for Part 12!
-Elisa & Tanya
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