Pink Moon in Taos

 Saturday - April 12

Santa Fe - Taos

Song - Harvest Moon by Neil Young

Pink Moon - the Farmers Almanac explains that the moon doesn’t actually appear pick but was named that because a pink wildflower was blooming then, a type of Moss Phlox.  

Grabbed a breakfast on the road from Starbucks in Santa Fe and headed north to Taos. We had mapped out four different stops on our way - two Native American cliff dwellings and two chapels. The first dwelling was Tsankawi Prehistoric Sites and it was interesting from the parking area but as we began to walk we found out the path had changed and it was now 1 1/2 mile hike with ladders so we just took photos from as close as we could get. 

The second one was Puye Cliff Dwellings but found out that it was closed so we headed East to the Santuario de Chimayo which looked like a sweet little Pueblo chapel but instead it was a packed local destination with tour buses and extremely religious groups. Most had large rosary beads around their neck some were carrying posts with the stations of the cross and many were elderly or ill and looking for healing. Apparently it is an 1860’s Catholic Church with “healing dirt” so it has become a pilgrimage for many. 

Some were even bathing their feet in the nearby stream. Power was out so the church was very dark with only candle light  and we were asked not to take any photos inside.  The second chapel was Santa Cruz de La Cañada and it was locked! 

 Oh well, we began heading for Taos with a quick stop along the Rio Grande River which flowed along most of our route.

Lot’s of mountains, mesas, snow topped mountains in the distance and loads of rocks and chaparral! Enjoyed a light lunch at our hotel and headed to our car to unpack. 

Music tonight was the Arellano Brothers Band which was a local folk country band with Mexican Mariachi influences. Excellent and fun!