Greetings From the Land of Enchantment!
This post was written yesterday but posted today due to technical errors ... mine! I couldn't get a connection here in the Land of Enchantment so had to wait until this morning to get help. Sorry.
The last few days have really been great ones. We're on the road again, and one never knows what treasure or surprise might lie around the next corner.
After going through over two hours of one of the most torrential downpours we have ever encountered, we arrived in Tucumcari, NM on Tuesday where we were going to visit with Frank's nephew and his family for a couple of days. They are such delightful young people and we had a great time visiting and remembering things that we had shared in the past, including many fits of the giggles over old family experiences and gatherings through the years. They are both in the educational field .. she's a school principal and he's a superintendent. It's so nice to find people who have devoted their lives to help young people find a place in the world where they can benefit others as well as themselves.
After staying there for a couple of nights, we left this morning and made our way through the back roads of Northern New Mexico to Taos for 3 days. We went through Tres Ritos, Mora and Vadito which were areas that the Salazar family settled in the early 1800's. It was a good experience for us to be able to walk in the footsteps of Frank's ancestors and get a bit of the feel of what his relatives felt when they came here in wagon trains from Missouri to help settle the state and make a home for the family when it was literally the wild west!
We made an unscheduled stop at an Alpaca farm and it was wonderful. There had been a baby boy alpaca born just this morning and they hadn't even weighed him yet. His name was Alfalfa and he was adorable. It was great fun to see all the animals. They also had Pyrenees dogs there to guard the herd of Alpacas and we were told that they have never lost one Alpaca to wolves, bears or coyotes which is unusual in this part of the world. They are wonderful watchdogs.
We arrived in Taos around 1:30, had a bite of lunch, and then checked into El Monte Segrado which is a resort and spa. It is one of the group of the Leading Small Hotels of the World and it's truly amazing. We have been blessed to have been able to stay in many top places and this one rates right up there with the best. We were greeted by the staff when we arrived, taken on a tour of the premises, and then shown to our suite of rooms. When the staff finally left us, we changed into silk bathrobes which were terry-cloth lined, had a martini delivered by the valet, and sat on our portal and enjoyed listening to a light rainfall which was lightly splashing on the lilly pond outside our rooms, along with the gentle rustling of the aspen leaves and the waterfalls. Makes one desperately want a nap! If you want to check it out, go to http://www.elmontesagrado.com/
Our suite is located on the Sacred Circle and is named Handsome Lake. Handsome Lake was the Seneca Tribe half-brother of Corn Planter, and was most noted as a prophet who developed a religion called Gai wiio or Good Message, which combined elements of Christian and Native beliefs. After Handsome Lake's death in 1815, his teachings continued to spread and became the foundation for the Longhouse religion. Still a vital force, this religion plays an important role in preserving the Iriquois sacred and cultural heritage.
The last few days have really been great ones. We're on the road again, and one never knows what treasure or surprise might lie around the next corner.
After going through over two hours of one of the most torrential downpours we have ever encountered, we arrived in Tucumcari, NM on Tuesday where we were going to visit with Frank's nephew and his family for a couple of days. They are such delightful young people and we had a great time visiting and remembering things that we had shared in the past, including many fits of the giggles over old family experiences and gatherings through the years. They are both in the educational field .. she's a school principal and he's a superintendent. It's so nice to find people who have devoted their lives to help young people find a place in the world where they can benefit others as well as themselves.
After staying there for a couple of nights, we left this morning and made our way through the back roads of Northern New Mexico to Taos for 3 days. We went through Tres Ritos, Mora and Vadito which were areas that the Salazar family settled in the early 1800's. It was a good experience for us to be able to walk in the footsteps of Frank's ancestors and get a bit of the feel of what his relatives felt when they came here in wagon trains from Missouri to help settle the state and make a home for the family when it was literally the wild west!
We made an unscheduled stop at an Alpaca farm and it was wonderful. There had been a baby boy alpaca born just this morning and they hadn't even weighed him yet. His name was Alfalfa and he was adorable. It was great fun to see all the animals. They also had Pyrenees dogs there to guard the herd of Alpacas and we were told that they have never lost one Alpaca to wolves, bears or coyotes which is unusual in this part of the world. They are wonderful watchdogs.
We arrived in Taos around 1:30, had a bite of lunch, and then checked into El Monte Segrado which is a resort and spa. It is one of the group of the Leading Small Hotels of the World and it's truly amazing. We have been blessed to have been able to stay in many top places and this one rates right up there with the best. We were greeted by the staff when we arrived, taken on a tour of the premises, and then shown to our suite of rooms. When the staff finally left us, we changed into silk bathrobes which were terry-cloth lined, had a martini delivered by the valet, and sat on our portal and enjoyed listening to a light rainfall which was lightly splashing on the lilly pond outside our rooms, along with the gentle rustling of the aspen leaves and the waterfalls. Makes one desperately want a nap! If you want to check it out, go to http://www.elmontesagrado.com/
Our suite is located on the Sacred Circle and is named Handsome Lake. Handsome Lake was the Seneca Tribe half-brother of Corn Planter, and was most noted as a prophet who developed a religion called Gai wiio or Good Message, which combined elements of Christian and Native beliefs. After Handsome Lake's death in 1815, his teachings continued to spread and became the foundation for the Longhouse religion. Still a vital force, this religion plays an important role in preserving the Iriquois sacred and cultural heritage.
The Sacred Circle is a green space located in the heart of the grounds which is surrounded by cottonwood trees, some of them over 400 years old, willow trees, gardens and waterfalls. It is a place for meditation, a place to unwind and relax. Each of the suites in this area are named after prominent Native Americans who were leaders in their tribes. There is also a sculpture garden, swimming pool, library, art gallery, computer station just to mention a few of the amenities.
There is a full service spa and we plan on taking advantage of several of the things they have to offer. There is a fully equipped gym as well as massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, steam rooms ... you name it. I'm going to be pampered for a few days, have room service and take total advantage of the facility before we head for Santa Fe. No painting at this time ... just R&R. Everyone needs to be spoiled occasionally.
More to come later. Don't know when I'll hook up the laptop again before we go to Santa Fe. We'll enjoy the cool mountainous breezes, listen to the Aspen trees singing as the wind gently blows and dirty a few ice cubes for you. Wish you were here to enjoy this little bit of Paradise on Earth with us.
XOXO, Pcasso
There is a full service spa and we plan on taking advantage of several of the things they have to offer. There is a fully equipped gym as well as massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, steam rooms ... you name it. I'm going to be pampered for a few days, have room service and take total advantage of the facility before we head for Santa Fe. No painting at this time ... just R&R. Everyone needs to be spoiled occasionally.
More to come later. Don't know when I'll hook up the laptop again before we go to Santa Fe. We'll enjoy the cool mountainous breezes, listen to the Aspen trees singing as the wind gently blows and dirty a few ice cubes for you. Wish you were here to enjoy this little bit of Paradise on Earth with us.
XOXO, Pcasso
4 comments:
You look super comfy, but hey, what's up with your vehicle? I know about where you are because Elaine and I took a workshop with Lynn Mclain (http://lynnmclain.com/) in Sipapu several years ago. We painted while Willie and Lobo played their guitar music and we had a lovely log fire going each morning. Beautiful country, great food and side trips to Taos.
What ... no fun?! Ya'll are looking pretty cozy. I'd vote for trying every single spa service they offer. Pamper while you can!
Connie
Enjoyed reading your blog Pat. It looks like you will have many wonderful pictures to paint when you return . . . and I KNOW all the Canvas by Canvas members WILL make history, because none of us is well behaved!! =)
Thanks to my Sistahs for the nice comments. This place is a little slice of heaven on earth. Wish you were all here to enjoy it with us. We're off to Santa Fe this afternoon. All this R&R is killing me. Hope to get a little painting done soon. More later.
Love and miss you!
Pcasso
Post a Comment