Sylvia, thanks for the link! I'm going to check that out a little later......If I can get to Capulin, I will, but I don't want to overdo it with the driving and I don't want to try to see everything. What I miss on this trip, I'll catch on the next.

Easytraveler, I'll keep that tip about quarters in mind if I make it to Tinkertown. I assume it's called that because many of the items on display are made from Tinker Toys?

I very likely will combine Los Alamos/Bandelier.......I tend to read every single thing on museum placards, so even in small museums I tend to stay for hours. If I do this, then I won't be able to make it to Gabriel's for lunch (on the way back to SF). Anyone have any tips for a good lunch place in this area?

Thanks!

>>Easytraveler, I'll keep that tip about quarters in mind if I make it to Tinkertown. I assume it's called that because many of the items on display are made from Tinker Toys?<<

Most of the displays are composed of things Ross Ward made "while you were watching TV." Carvings, sculptures, found objects, etc. You'll need quarters to operate some of the displays.

Lee Ann

That sounds really cool, Lee Ann - something truly unique. I think I'd like it a lot -I'll bring plenty of quarters!

Take time to hike up the path along the Frijoles in Bandolier and climb the ladders to the ceremonial kiva if you're not afraid of heights.

Careful of the speed trap at the bottom of the mountain just as you're reentering the Rio Grande valley; the pueblo there makes a good chunk of its revenue from the momentum of tourists.

Stoke, sorry for the delay in responding - I just saw your message now.

Thanks for the tips - Bandelier is going to be one of my favorite days.

I have another question, this time about the High Road to Taos.

I was planning on doing a day tour for this, but I'm not sure I want to spend the $$ - more importantly, I'd like my time to myself, no rushing around. I guess I really have several questions.

#1 - I know that day trips from SF are done all the time, but is it possible to do a day trip to Taos from SF and not feel like you're rushing around? It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive, I believe, on the High Road...and that's without stops.....I'm relatively concerned about making a long trip only to have very little time in/around Taos. I wonder if it might be wise to spend the night in Taos ...even though I'd have a room in SF already. I'm not sure I'd want to do this, I just think it might be more convenient? Thoughts?

#2 - Has anyone been to Sugar Nymph's Bistro in Penasco? I see that's getting fantastic reviews and it might be a great place to refuel for the rest of the journey to Taos......

#3- Should I be concerned driving the High Road by myself?

Thanks again - you guys are great!

There is nothing to be scared about in driving the High Road from Santa Fe to Taos. First of all it is NOT 2 1/2 hours. Maybe 1 1/2 hours. It's longer if you stop at all the galleries and shops. The road is very clearly marked. Once you get on the High Road, you cannot get off by mistake, or make a wrong turn. It is paved, and is wide enough for traffic to pass without squeezing. I drove it on my own in 1998 and there is nothing to be scared about being a woman driving alone.

If you want to make a day trip to Taos then do it. Taos is a tiny place. You could have lunch and walk around for 45 minutes and go out to Taos Pueblo if you're interested, and then get back on the road, and you would have seen the whole thing, IMO.

If you're going to drive it I would suggest stopping at Ortega's weaving shop in Chimayo. Can't miss it, it is right on the road. It's nice for 10 minutes to look at the traditional weavings; I bought some place mats as holiday gifts.

Hikrchk, thanks!

I guess I sound totally paranoid, but as this would be my first real driving vacation, I want to be prepared.

I like to be as independent as possible when I travel, so being able to see and do things on my own schedule is very important to me. I'm actually very eager to take this on - it will be a fantastic experience.

Yes, I'll definitely stop at Ortega's; I'd really like to bring some woven items home with me, particularly as a gift to my parents. Any idea how much $$$ I could expect to spend for something like a rug?

Thanks again!

Authentic Navajo rugs are $$$$ thousands of dollars, even small sized. Seriously. Go for coaster or placemat sized woven items.

Jackaloupe has great take home items to give as gifts for the folks at home.

http://www.jackalope.com/

Deb

Ouch - thanks Debi!

I think the rugs will be just a little out of my price range, so I will definitely take you up on your suggestion.

Thanks for the link to Jackalope - I'm going to check that out later......

Sorry, Betsy, hope I didn't sound like I was snapping at you. High Road is not like the Long Island Expressway. It's like a winding country road. There are very clear brown signs that say Taos with an arrow when it is time to turn a corner. You really cannot get lost.

Yes, rugs will be hundreds of dollars. I like Ortegas because there are so many different kinds of woven things, in all price ranges. The place mats were $15 each. You can buy them singly, or in packs of 4. I also bought coasters, for $5 each, or again, sold in packs of 4. There are table runners in all lengths. There are pocketbooks. And vests. And big squares in all sizes. Around $35 or so. In 1998 I bought two of these big squares, and the store put remnants on the backs and made them into pillows for me.

Next to Ortegas weaving store is a little gallery that sells things from other artisans. I bought a hand-decorated/punched tin napkin holder -- signed by the Navajo artist on the bottom -- for $11. Another holiday gift.

Just think -- when you come back you will be a veteran of driving vacations and you will tell everyone else how easy it was!

Hikr, in no way did I think you were snapping at me. I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. In fact, you've made me feel a lot better about driving in/around Santa Fe - I'm not quite totally confident, but I feel like if I just get out on the road and do it (now that I'm convinced that the roads we're talking about are not treacherous,steep and all sorts of other nasty adjectives), I'll be fine. I'm excited, to be honest.

Ok, so I won't buy a big rug, but it sounds like I'll have a ton of options, so I'm sure I'll be perfectly happy with what I can afford to purchase. I'm also determined to come home with some turquoise......I don't even like shopping at home (unless it's in a bookstore), but this kind of shopping I can get behind, lol.

Be careful where you buy turquoise. There is a lot of fake stuff being sold around town. It is plastic and in small bits, it doesn't really look fake. Just be careful.

Geez, aren't I a downer? First the rugs, now this. I just hate for people to be taken.

I bought a little silver bracelet and ankle bracelet with "turquoise" beads when I first moved to ABQ. Got it from a NAtive American vendor selling under the portico in Old Town {ABQ}. It turns out that it was plastic. Didn't pay that much, but thought it was real. Live and learn.

Deb

One more thing - I'm also considering perhaps spending a night in Taos (although I'd already have a room for the night in SF) so that I can take my time along the High Road and not have to rush along to make the Taos Pueblo and still have enough time to explore Taos itself. I'm not sure I want to spend the extra $$$, but it's a nice idea........Would you all recommend this plan of action?

Thanks!

One of my husband and my favorite breakfasts is at the Taos Inn.

I've bought silver & turquoise earrings from the Native Americans at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe. If you ask some questions about the turquoise you can keep from getting ripped off. Like, where did you find this turquoise, or did you (the seller) gather the turquoise yourself -- those kinds of questions.

As for staying in Taos -- my BF and I stayed at El Dona Luz B&B, formerly the El Rincon, I think. The web site shows all the different rooms, which have different prices. It was around the corner from the Plaza area, and the Taos Inn. We stayed in the Yellow Bird Deer Room for $109. Comes with breakfast.



But honestly, and this is only my opinion, I was bored in Taos after an afternoon. My BF and I arrived on Tuesday afternoon and left Thursday morning, and most of Wednesday was spent hiking. And that was enough. If you want to go, and hang out, and go into all the shops and galleries and then go to Taos Pueblo, and then stay overnight and drive back to SF the next morning, you would have lots of time in Taos. IMO, get out of Santa Fe by 9 a.m. and you'll definitely be in Taos by 11:30 if you go super slow on the High Road and stop all sorts of places. Have lunch in Taos, go out to the Pueblo in the afternoon (you could stay there 1 hour or 4, depending on your interest). Stay in Taos until 5 or so and then drive back in time for dinner.

Stokebailey, thanks for the recommendation! If I stay overnight in Taos, I will put that on my list.

Hkrchick, I'm going to the Turquoise Museum in ABQ, so hopefully I will also learn there what to look for in good turquoise -I won't let myself get ripped off.

I think I'll stick with the day trip plan - I like your reasons for favoring same. Additionally, the days in June are long and that helps me. I'm sure I'll have a good time exploring Taos, but this whole day is meant to be an experience - and I think now that I can get that even if I don't spend all day in Taos proper.

Thanks!