Tsankawi ~ Return Trail 1

What can I say? We were too focused on getting me down this 12 foot ladder to take a picture from the top looking down. Something I regret now! However, this ladder photo taken by Henley Graphics will give you an idea of what it was like for me to face my fear. You can see the footprint at the bottom of the photo. That is where the trail abruptly ends and the ladder begins. But it was a welcome option to taking these footholds down or perhaps I should say toeholds! These and steep step trails were used to access the mesa top on a daily basis, the women carrying babies on their backs and/or containers of water.

Tsankawi ~ Atop the Mesa

Atop the mesa we enjoyed a wonderful view of the surrounding two canyons and distant mountains, the Jemez mountains on one side and the Sangre de Cristo mountains on the other. The Jemez range was created by volcanic activity a million years ago, the activity that created a giant ash cloud that blanketed the area and eventually formed the soft tuff rock. Rivers carved through the rock leaving the mesas that dot the landscape.

Tsankawi ~ Going Up

After enjoying the view from the top of the lower mesa we continued on to where the loop trail began. If you click on this image to enlarge it you can see where the trail branches. The trail to the left ascends the mesa and the trail to the right along the ledge is the return trail. I think it was at this point, looking up at the trail that I said to Buz, "I am not sure I am up to this." and he said, "Well, let's go a little bit and see how it is." I was reminded of the movie, What About Bob and decided to take it in baby steps.

Tsankawi 1

Tsankawi (sank-ah Wee) was built in the 1400's by the Anasazi Pueblo Indians. In the Tewa language the name means,"village between two canyons at the clump of round sharp cacti."

A fellow workshop classmate who lives in Santa Fe recommended visiting this prehistoric site northwest of Santa Fe, considered sacred by many local pueblo people. She described it as magical and recommended going on a weekday when we could experience it without crowds. She said it was an easy hike, though not an easy place to find.

High Road to Taos: Taos

Two Birds and a Cross

We continued on the trip to Taos where we walked around the town, visiting some of the galleries and shops. Before heading home we stopped in Rancho de Taos to snap a few photos of the iconic St Francisco de Assis Mission Church that was the subject of several O"Keefe paintings as well as photographs by Paul Strand and Ansel Adams.

High Road to Taos: Truchas & Penasco

We began seeing the snow-covered Truchas Peaks to the east as we headed toward the town of Truchas. At 13,000 ft. plus, they tower 5600 ft. above the town that is perched on the side of a deep canyon. Several of the buildings seem to be precariously placed on the rim and I was nervous just looking at them as we approached the town. This would not be the place for me to settle with my fear of heights.

High Road to Taos: Cordova

The next town on the high road was Chimayo, home of the famous church, Santuario de Chimayo, where pilgrims come to pray for healing. It was Sunday and Mother's Day and we could not get anywhere near the site so we continued on our way to the town of Cordova, known for its woodcarvers.

High Road to Taos: Nambe

Nambe Lake Recreation Area

We began our day on Route 503 with a side trip to the Nambe pueblo to visit a lake and hike along a stream. Buz continued the hike up to a little waterfall while I took some photos in the canyon but he was a bit disappointed to look up and see the wall of a dam as a backdrop for the waterfall. Not the setting we are used to seeing them in in New England or Wisconsin. Obviously the dam is what created the lake above us. It was a pretty walk along the stream and it felt good to get outside for a bit of activity after several days indoors at the workshop.

Mother's Day

I won't be at home for the usual breakfast in bed by my hubby and the usual family get together but you will all be in my heart as we take the high road to Taos, today. We are hoping to find a restaurant open up there on Sunday and splurge on a Mother's Day meal!

I love the gifts you sent me, kids and of course that you thought to do that was a separate gift! Made my heart soar as I worked away in my workshop. :) You are two kind, thoughtful, creative, beautiful children and I am so happy and proud to be your mom.

Mom, you are the best mom I could ever hope for. You have always supported me, encouraged me to be whoever I want to be and that stubborn, independent streak that you passed on to me has served me well over the years! :) Love you and see you soon!

ps- Buz did some shopping in Santa Fe and I can't wait to see what it is!

Lots and lots of love!
Vicki/ Mom

Ghost Ranch 2

Ghost Ranch was bought by Arthur Pack in 1934 and was donated to the Presbyterian Church in 1944. Georgia O'Keefe had a home on the ranch in the 40's until her death and her ashes are sprinkled here. It is now a retreat center that offers seminars and classes.We arrived at the welcome center and were offered maps of the ranch including trails. Apple trees were in full bloom and the oxide green of spring leaves contrasted beautifully with the red rock walls.

Ghost Ranch 1

Springtime at Ghost Ranch

This morning we headed north to Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch, Georgia O'Keefe's winter home for many years. I had just finished reading Portrait of an Artist: Georgia O'Keefe and so I was anxious to see this site that was so important to her creative work that I admire.

Workshop: Day 3

Today was a half day and the air was charged with frantic energy as everyone tried to get their work done. Poor Mike was trying to get all the images printed for us on the one printer available to him. A second printer would definitely have helped out.

Workshop: Day 2

Last night I perused my images that I wanted to use for the workshop and I combined two separate images in Photoshop to create the image I used for the work above. The tree image is a Holga image taken last November in the fog near Lions Den Park in Wisconsin and the rocks were from a Holga shot taken on our trip around Lake Superior a few years ago. Both were Lith prints that I had scanned.

Santa Fe Workshop Day 1

I get to take this road back to my motel every day after the workshop.

I am into my Encaustic Intensive Workshop. Love what I am learning from Jill Burkholder! There are 12 of us women plus Mike, the studio assistant. Lots of creative female energy floating around.

Re: Encaustic- This is an ancient process of creating artwork. It involves adding layers of bees wax to photographs or collages or using pigmented wax to create paintings.

Santa Fe Walk

Today we toured the town of Santa Fe and I took NO pictures. I took the day off and we did the galleries, shops and museums. We had a wonderful lunch at Pasqual's. I would highly recommend the place.

We especially liked the Georgia O'Keefe Museum and the Loretto Chapel, home of the miracle staircase.

I also prepared some images to use in my workshop that begins tomorrow. I have butterflies thinking of a new adventure. I wonder if it will be what I hope it will be. I wonder about the people who will be in the class and if I will be up to learning a new technique! Can't wait to find out!

Santa Fe Storms

As we approached Santa Fe we could see storms to the west and it was spitting snow. We heard that Albuquerque got 6" of snow the night before. we had not anticipated mid-40's in Santa Fe during our visit. That was the same temperature as back in Wisconsin! However once we had checked in to our motel I took off for the hills as I knew that usually there are no clouds around. I wanted the drama of the sky while it lasted. I drove toward the storms and ended up on Vista Dr. with many beautiful homes and a beautiful road on the top of a ridge so that I could see in both directions.

Looking to the west and south I saw the storms passing through....

Carlsbad to Santa Fe

Tree in front of Ron and Barb's

This morning we said goodbye to Carlsbad and drove to Santa Fe. I am thinking that Montana needs to share the title of Big Sky Country with New Mexico.

Of Birds and License Plates

Carlsbad sunset from Ron and Barb's side patio.

This was our last night in Carlsbad. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. Sometimes when you visit family after a long time apart, the visit can be a stressful one. With this visit and our Texas one this was far from the case. We felt welcomed into warm, loving homes. We picked up friendships right where we had left them several years before. We were chauffeured, fed, pampered, shown the local sights and treated to memories that sometimes moved us to tears. Thank you all!

Desert Museum and Zoo~ Carlsbad