back to the land

I've been talking about our land in the San Luis Valley, CO, for some years now. We purchased 36 acres of raw land in 2005, and have now visited the land and the general area 3 times. Our most recent visit to the property was nearly a year ago, soon after we moved to Durango. Since Alex is currently on spring break, we decided to take a trip east and show Mom the site of our future home. (And hers, as well, perhaps.)

We decided it would be fun to take the southern route there, stopping in Taos, NM for a short visit. We didn't have much time, so I wasn't able to get to any of the museums, but we enjoyed shopping and eating in the main plaza.

Here we are taking a break at The Gorge Restaurant, which overlooks the plaza:



Mom gets friendly with the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Bear:



Our first night we stayed at a motel that turned out the be flea-ridden and generally below par. So we spent our second and final night at the gorgeous and luxurious El Monte Sagrado. We didn't manage to get many photos while we were there, but clicking on the link above will provide an excellent idea of our experience.

Below, Mom and I pose in the hotel lobby:



On our way out of town, heading north to San Luis and the land, Alex couldn't resist stopping to take this photo of an enigmatic "Jesus Sale" at a roadside store. Makes me wonder what a "Pagan Sale" might look like.



And, finally, we make it to the property, which is just over an hour from Taos. I'm peering out the window of Mom's car which valiantly traversed the sage-and-tumbleweed terrain. In the foreground is the marker which indicates the far corner of our 36 acres:



Alex was quite content to brave the unusually fierce winds to take advantage of the photo-op at the above-said property marker:



This wide shot of the marker shows the view we have of the Sangre De Christo mountains to the east of us:



Mom enjoys taking in the views from the safety and warmth of the car:



Another of our requisite self-portraits:



And, finally, I celebrate our future dream home with a tumbleweed cheer!