In Taos

Cycle Hondo-Seca loop of Taos Sunday 9/28/2015

But first -- here are my victory photos of the Big Stinking Mountain yesterday...

 

Made it to the top (the guide is behind me)

 

All the way to the top...

On Sunday we had some options. Bette-Ann and I (and a few others it turns out) did not think spending three or more hours at the Pueblo, waiting for the van to pick us up, was something we wanted to do. After breakfast we geared up for the ride outside of town, even though we were told there is a 10% grade hill involved!! Judy was happy that we were riding and joined us.

Just as we were leaving town we came upon these cycling beetles, but they didn't join us

 

And there were these red chilis -- the real thing!

A few miles out of town we turned onto a more back road and began to get a view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

 

Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ)

We passed a little church before starting up the HILL! As you might guess, there is a LOT of Catholic religious stuff around these parts.

 

 

 

 

Bette-Ann makes it up the hill

 

Judy gets up that hill also

 

At the top of the hill, more of the mountains come into view

It seemed we climbed oh so much. I think our tired legs have been catching up with us. Finally on level ground we stopped to appreciate the grave sites along the way. The photo does not truly capture the vastness of these sites. There are three or four separated grave grounds with bright colored flowers and decorations on the graves. Very impressive and moving.

 

Just a sampling

 

Judy takes a photo of the mountains, Bette-Ann snaps one of the bright graves

A stop in the village of Arroyo Seco (very loose translation -- Dry Riverbed) was a sweet end to the hills. We poked around in some of the shops and enjoyed a little relaxing time in this art colony.

 

 

Apparently the model for the truck in the mural

 

Couldn't pass this up

We doubled checked with a local guy to ensure we would be heading in the correct direction to Taos. Yes, he said that is the way and it is all downhill!!!! YES!

 

We got to our hotel just in time to see three other of our riders saddling up for the ride, so were able to tell them of a few corrections on the cue sheet. Almost immediately after explaining it all, I felt a little headache coming on and it developed from there. That ended my day as once showered, I was in bed for much of the afternoon and all evening. Just before that though we took a little stroll through town and also had a little bite to eat. There is not much to this town -- it is about a block long and is basically filled with art and pottery. Probably a good thing for me as, not being in the market for art or potter, I did not buy anything!

For a while, as I awoke briefly throughout the night, I was having doubts about whether I would be able to ride today. But so far this morning I am feeling fine. Here's hoping.

 

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