Day 9 - Sunday

Wow, we have made to New Mexico!! At around 10am we entered into New Mexico!  Joanne said "It feels like were crossing the border".  Well, on this border crossing like every state line just a quick picture and on we go.  Our first destination in NM was Taos.  A small city with lots going on!  First stop, lunch, a beer, and to ask the bartender what there is to see and do.  So off the Taos Pueblo we go!  Very interesting to see and experience! The houses are made of adobe; mud sticks and straw gathered from the nearby mountains. They drink the water from the creek unfiltered and there is no power. At least 5 families still live there full time.

 Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-story adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over a 1,000 years.

The actual town of Taos was amazing too, as there are no building higher than 2 stories and the architecture is so unique. All earthtone mud shaped dwellings with flat roofs.
From Taos we drove west over the Rio Grande gorge bridge. Felt like we were in a John Wayne movie. Spectacular!!!After some quick photos we were off to see more country side. First thing we noticed were the "Earthship" homes, built with natural and recycled materials. Solar/thermal heating and cooling, water harvesting, contained sewage treatment and food production. They looked like something from another world. Over another mountain pass and on to Chama for the night.