New Mexico
New Mexico is a neighboring state of Texas, and my family has traveled there since the 1980s. In recent years, Shirley has studied painting under an artist in Santa Fe. I have accompanied her on some of these trips and have taken the opportunity to explore Santa Fe and the surrounding area. On one trip I rose early most days and drove up to Los Alamos for sunrise shots from a high overlook (the sunrises were mostly duds). Some days I would drive through Espanola to the beautiful area north of Santa Fe—the area of Abiquiu, Ghost Ranch, and El Rito. This was Georgia O’Keefe’s country, and her presence is still felt strongly there.
Looking west over Santa Fe from the road to the Ski Santa Fe ski area.
Summer afternoon in Santa Fe’s northern suburbs.
Unusual Thunderbird totem at a private home in Santa Fe.
Afternoon party time in downtown Santa Fe.
A poignant memorial painted on a Santa Fe wall.
Agape Center at the headquarters of Ghost Ranch, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) conference and retreat center.
Chimney Rock, Ghost Ranch
Ghost Ranch—looking west from Chimney Rock Trail.
Ghost Ranch—looking north from Chimney Rock Trail.
Ghost Ranch rock formation.
Ghost Ranch afternoon.
View southwest from Ghost Ranch. Lake Abiquiu on the left, Cerro Pedernal, painted many times by Georgia O’Keefe, on the high right horizon.
Cerro Pedernal from Lake Abiquiu.
Lake Abiquiu
The Chama River below Abiquiu Dam.
The Georgia O’Keefe home, Abiquiu.
Interior courtyard of the Georgia O’Keefe home.
The view from Georgia O’Keefe’s studio, her beloved Cerro Pedernal on the horizon.
Los Alamos sunrise.
Another Los Alamos sunrise.
Leaving Los Alamos, heading for Espanola.
On the road from Los Alamos to Espanola.
El Rito, fifteen miles east of Abiquiu.
El Rito is said to have 1200 residents. I could not find them.
“Downtown” El Rito is almost completely boarded up.
The exception is El Farolito (“Little Lamp”), a tiny but very busy restaurant. Green chile specialists. Enchiladas and cheeseburgers to die for.
El Rito door.
Iconic New Mexico image in El Rito.