Day 7: Is that our shoes?
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Day 7: Amarillo, Santa Fe, Taos
Today we got up at dawn, bypassed breakfast at our B&B and headed out of Amarillo. We had planned to visit the Palo Duro Canyon, which is apparently the 2nd largest canyon in the US. However, it was in the opposite direction that we needed to go and it was raining so we just headed out of Amarillo, and out of TX. We stopped at Cadillac Ranch, which seemed like a roadside must. It didn’t appear muddy, but it was and our shoes are still drying out.
Amarillo offered one last blow before we were completely clear. We smelled it before we saw it – I though it was our shoes. But then it got worse and I knew they didn’t smell THAT bad. Ever been to a park that has bathrooms, but they are just basically a hole in the ground with a toilet seat (and they reek)? That was the smell. The source . . . “Quality Beef,” a feedlot. Nice. It’s where cows go to bulk up after a year or so of grazing. They live there in slop and eat slop (plus antibiotics to keep them from getting TOO sick). From there, it’s truck to slaughter to plate. Yum!
It was hideous.
With Texas behind us (all 4 days worth), the scenery changed, and we even met a woman from OH at the NM information center. There have been yellow flowers everywhere. They’re beautiful. We saw plenty of cows (headed to Quality Beef, I’m sure), some deer, and even a roadrunner! Yeah! I was hoping to see one.
We arrived in Santa Fe just before noon. We had two surprises – rain and a festival. Parking was even scarcer than it’s rumored to normally be. That worked out because it forced us to park farther away and see more of the town. We had lunch, checked out all the booths at the festival (art booths) and many of the shops. Oh, and the rain stopped shortly after we arrived – bonus!
We took the scenic route to Taos (officially called The High Road). We got here pretty early and had time to check-in, and then walk around town. We window-shopped (art galleries) and went into a couple stores before dinner. Dinner was great. I had checked it out online before we came. The almond encrusted brie with fruit and blackberry coulis sold me. It was yummy.
It was very overcast and cool today (60s). This is the opposite of my 1st trip to Santa Fe and Taos when temps were in the 90s before noon. I liked it better this time, but I know that’s because it was cooler and raining. I like trees – with big leaves that provide lots of shade! The trees here just aren’t tall enough and there isn’t any grass. Donnell likes it though. He liked San Antonio, Austin, Santa Fe, and Taos. His favorite is Taos, followed by Santa Fe.
Tomorrow we move into mountains. Then we change landscapes a lot: desert, mountains again, plains, and home! Nine more days!
Today’s highlights: leaving Amarillo; Cadillac Ranch; escapee cow; art festival in Santa Fe; High Road to Taos; Taos; great food
posted by Shannon @ 9.9.06,
