Planet 9

The Cayman is a perfect instrument for touring Northern New Mexico. One of the reasons that it came to live with me is for days like this.





Abiquiu is rich with history, both dark and light. Like much of the Southwest, the land was hotly contested and witnessed the struggles between the native Indian tribes and their Spanish rivals. The multi-cultural heritage is still very evident. There are various ruins and a pueblo to visit.





Georgia O'Keefe made her home here in her later years, and the red cliffs, mesas, peaks and plateaus are immortalized in her paintings. Many people, especially artists and photographers, speak rhapsodically of the quality of the 'light' in New Mexico. You just might notice a perceptible difference in the color of the sky, earth, trees and water in Abiquiu. You will be stunned by the red soil that composes the massive cliffs, carved canyons, and vistas. Abiquiu Lake, 7 miles north of town, is used for water sports and recreation. This is a little road outside Abiquiu.


[img]/UserFiles/Road outside Abiquiu.jpg[/img]


Abiquiu.


[img]/UserFiles/Abiquiu.jpg[/img]


Lots of dirt in New Mexico. Lots of old too.


[img]/UserFiles/Abiquiu2.jpg[/img]


There is water here.


[img]/UserFiles/Abiquiu Lake.jpg[/img]


If you go turn back and take the loop 554 to El Rito. The drive is pleasant with some rewarding turns and elevation changes. The very small village of El Rito is an oasis in the beautiful, high desert country of northern New Mexico. El Rito is surrounded by mountains and borders the vast Carson National Forest. From there try lunch in Ojo Caliente which is noted for its hots springs and mineral waters and then return to Santa Fe or shoot up to Taos.

Edited by - Santa Fe on 05/11/2006 4:14:02 PM

great pictures and beautiful scenery,i would love to see that part of the United States soon.thanks

SF,

Your usual great photography - I'll be putting NM on my 'to do' list for sure... On the way back from the Bay Area this coming weekend, I'm planning a different way of getting back - down hwy 25 from Holister down through the Pinnacles, then onto Hwy 33 down through the Carrizo Plain... should be fun - I'll try to shoot some pictures if I can slow down enough...

brad

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22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

SantaFe,


You really get around in that car. Great story and pics. Looks like you have a lot of nice roads on which to exercise your Cayman. You have a good eye for photography as well. Thanks for sharing.

SantaFe,


thanks for such a nice set of pictures! It is wonderful to see the car used in such a way!


Best, Wurlie

SF,

You should be compensated by the New Mexico Travel Bureau. That really makes me want to go there.

Aloha Russ

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Santa Fe, Thanks for letting us re-live this beautiful drive. One of many spectacular drives in the the Four-Corners states of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah & Colorado. The areas around Abiquiu and El Rito have that empty, spiritual feeling - a great place to be at one with your trusty Cayman S.