I returned home from Taos a few days ago. I left snow and returned to snow
It must be winter
Taos in the season of winter is wonderful.
It’s quiet.
It’s slow, with time to sip and sup.
It’s hodeezyeel, Navajo for calm.
It’s soothing.
It’s delicious.
It’s blue sky.
It’s reunion.
From sunrise,
to sunset, it’s glorious.
Thank goodness it’s an annual event.
A couple of days ago we decided to drive north to the John Dunn Bridge.
Around 1893 John Dunn bought a bridge that crossed the Rio Grande River. He established a business taking passengers and freight from the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad at Tres Piedras to Taos.
The bridge burned down and he rebuilt it in 1908.
He built a hotel near the bridge for travelers. The hotel provided fresh fish from the Rio Grande and fresh milk from his milk cow. It was a toll bridge for which he charged $1 per person and less for livestock.
He operated the bridge until 1912 when he sold it to the the Territory of New Mexico who made it a free bridge.
Closed in 2007 after a rockslide, the John Dunn Bridge reopened in April 2024.
It was a large day to be out and about. The temperature never rose above freezing. Still, the John Dunn Bridge is such a beautiful space to wander.
We then headed northeast to drive the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. It’s an 84 mile circle around Wheeler Peak, the highpoint of New Mexico. Not long after we turned on to NM Highway 38, we encountered this:
We could have reached out the window to touch them as we drove by.
They grazed on something in the middle of the road, paying little attention to the cars passing by.
The Enchanted Circle was glorious!
Thirty minutes along the circle, the road ahead was covered in snow as it led uphill. That was it for us. We turned back.
Retracing our steps,
then stopping at a favorite place,
La Queva. Plates of blue corn enchiladas.
It was a most excellent day of Enchantment.
One of my favorite places in northern New Mexico is the 6-mile drive along the Rio Grande River, from Pilar to the Taos Junction Bridge.
Excerpts from Mary Oliver’s At The River Clarion
“I don’t know who God is exactly.
But I’ll tell you this.
I was sitting in the river named Clarion, on a water splashed stone
and all afternoon I listened to the voices of the river talking.
Whenever the water struck a stone it had something to say,
and the water itself, and even the mosses trailing under the water.
And slowly, very slowly, it became clear to me what they were saying.
Said the river I am part of holiness.
And I too, said the stone.
And I too, whispered the moss beneath the water.
…And still, pressed deep into my mind, the river
keeps coming, touching me, passing by on its
long journey, its pale, infallible voice
singing.”
Tonight I’m seated in front of the fireplace in the casa where I stay.
It’s cold and blustery outside.
Land of enchantment certainly describes northern New Mexico.
Yesterday as my plane descended to the Albuquerque Sunport, the scene below reminded me of colors to come.
Saturn, as confirmed by my Night Sky app, was showing off in the sky tonight after dinner. No star could match Saturn!
Now, as the fire dies down, I do so as well. Today was a large day.
Night night.
Today is the Feast of the Epiphany. In the Christian tradition, the coming of the Magi (astronomers) is celebrated.
My traveling friend and I are journeying to Taos today. It’s a tradition we began about a dozen years ago – to travel to Taos in mid-January.
It’s a perfect place to be after the hustle of Christmas. And for me, the family celebration of my grandson’s recent college graduation.
Now soaring high to Albuquerque, with and then about a two hour drive on to Taos.
We will utter a quiet sigh as we arrive.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
Traveling mercies.
Last night we attended the choral performance – Voices of Light. It was held in the cavernous Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. The Cistern is a former drinking water reservoir built in 1926 for the City of Houston.
After operating for decades, an irreparable leak was found, and the reservoir was decommissioned in 2007. Three years later, thanks to the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, “the 87,600 square-foot Cistern was restored and repurposed into a magnificent public space for performances and art installations.”
The Schola Cantorum of downtown Houston’s Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, sang for around 25 minutes. Their offering was a “journey through centuries of music, from 4th-century chant to ethereal modern compositions”.
Special lighting complemented the singing and transported us to another realm.
Works of Hildegard van Bingen, Guillaume Dufay, Elizabeth Poston, Arvo Pärt, Crista Miller, filled the space.
The acoustics were incredible; the echo carries for 17 seconds.
The concert was all too short. However, as we walked out of the Cistern, we decided it was a must to make this an annual tradition. Yes, it shall be!
As I write this, I am seated in my chair in the sky headed to Atlanta and on to the mountains. The 2-day lark was just about perfect.
One awesome concert,
a meal at the original Ninfa’s on Navigation,
beautiful Sunday worship at Holy Family Episcopal Church,
a new coffee spot – Coco’s Donuts & Coffee Bar – with perfect cappuccinos,
and time spent with my best friend in her home and garden. .
Abundance!
Traveling mercies.
Today is the winter solstice. For we who reside in the northern hemisphere, it is the longest night of the year.
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s The Longest Night of the Year is a favorite of mine.
They say that spring will come again
But no one knows exactly when
Still the sun’s a long lost friend
On the longest night of the year
Make a vow when solstice comes
To find the light in everyone
Keep the faith and bang the drum
On the longest night of the year
I’m on my way to Houston for a couple of days. My best friend and I have plans. Two concerts, Sunday worship, a new-to-me coffee place, and Tex-Mex dining for sure.
So keep me safe, hold me tight
Let the candle burn all night
Tomorrow welcome back the light
After the longest night of the year
Traveling mercies.
Family members gathered the last few days for my grandson’s college graduation. And oh what a celebratory gathering it was!
The first evening those who had already arrived dined at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The drive to the restaurant was 45 minutes or so, requiring two cars. I suggested the two grandmothers ride with Jack. Nana (me) and Mimi.
Oh, what a ride it was. We three talked. And listened. And talked some more. I find it hard to describe the richness, the profoundness, the warmth and love that was spoken and heard.
After dining we three – Jack and his grandmothers – continued our special conversation as we returned home.
Throughout the graduation weekend I reflected on that drive with Jack and his grandmothers. I suspect Jack did as well. And Mimi too.
“Jack you are a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington. Now go forth and thrive! Your grandmothers are so very proud!”
Traveling mercies.
Do you recognize that tune?
Yep, it’s Pomp and Circumstance. I’m headed to Texas so I can hum along to that tune.
My grandson, Jack, is graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington. Yippee!!
An early morning departure and we are on our way.
I’m SO proud of Jack. When his name is called, there will definitely be a memorable Nana shout out!!
Traveling mercies.
The Fall grandchildren tour is complete! I visited Georgia, Jack, Valerie and Nathan.
I’ve had great joy visiting each one.
As I awaited my flight home, I thought about my time with Nathan.
The drive to Fort Collins, where CSU is located, was filled with winter expectation.
We were both on time! We met in the campus parking lot where he keeps the Swagon.
Walking a short distance across the campus, we arrived at his dorm.
He has a single room and it’s almost spacious. His bed is essentially a top bunk, with space underneath for a desk. Instead, the desk is across the room. Recently he and a friend drove the Swagon to pick up the leather couch he had found on Craig’s list. It fit inside the Swagon! And now sits under the top bunk. We sat in this cosy space and I listened to all the goings on of Nathan’s freshman year of college. What an interesting and invigorating time he’s having!
Then it was time for lunch. As we walked to the parking lot, it was clear that some trees just DUMP their leaves all at once. It grabbed my attention.
Nathan had decided on a French Crapery for our lunch. It was really fun to sit up at a high table and enjoy our meal. It was a delicious meal of crepes and conversation.
Then it was time for class for Nathan and the drive to Denver for me.
The evening rumor of substantial snow with the possibility of canceled flights swept through me, grabbing my attention. At the recommendation of the hotel front desk people, I turned my rental car in then and there. I got up at 3am so I could be sure to get to the airport as it had begun to snow.
Several hours later, wonder of wonders – the aircraft coming from Atlanta to Denver for the return trip, made it! Turn around was faster than usual, with a not so quick de-icing, followed by a take-off into nothing but white.
With a medical emergency onboard, the captain put the pedal to the medal and we blew home!
Now awakening safely at home, I’m thinking about the Fall grandchildren tour just completed. I am SO grateful to Nathan, Valerie, Jack, and Georgia for welcoming me when I visit. Each one is so unique, so interesting, and so generous with their time they spend with me.
Stay tuned for news of the Grandkids Spring Tour!
Traveling mercies.
Cometsgirl 