After a morning jog that didn't feel quite as treacherous as yesterday, we stopped at the only state park that's sole purpose is to honor Vietnam Veterans right here in Eagle Nest. It was designed by a man who lost his son in the Vietnam War along with a architect in Santa Fe.
This picture is of the side of the chapel. The exhibits are pretty touching, including personal stories, items, poems, letters and pictures sent home from soldiers. You can actually look up veterans names and find out where they went to school, what they were like and who their families were.
We took more scenic roads, 434 and 518 at the recommendation of our camp host. It was a winner. There is beautiful scenery and expansive vistas everywhere. We passed through a couple little ski towns, conifer forests and prairies with grazing cows, horses and alpacas.
Mountain biking is next on the agenda. I just got this sweet set of wheels from Ryan last Christmas. Before we left I bought the shoes and clip-in peddles. When I went to clip in today, I had not installed the cleats on the bottom of my new shoes, so basically my feet were sliding all over the peddles. I'm pretty sure the cleats are still in the shoe box back in Ohio. Doh! Time to improvise! I wore my hiking shoes that happened to be along with me today. The first trail was great, a big uphill I had to walk, but then slow and steady downhill through a ponderosa pine and birch forest. The second trail was relentlessly uphill and we had to turn around, but oh the downhill felt amazing. The third trail was also pretty fun, even if we had to dodge petrified cow poop along the way. All in all, I enjoyed my first mountain bike ride and pretty sure Ryan had fun too.
This is San Francisco de Asis Mission Church a little south of Taos. It was built between 1772 and 1816 by Spanish Missionaries out of adobe. This picture is of the back of the church. Close up, you can actually see the straw pieces mixed in with the adobe mortar. It has been the subject of paintings by Georgia O'Keefe and of photography by Ansel Adams. We got there just as it closed for the day, so unfortunately didn't get to see the inside.
Total Miles: well I forgot to check the odometer this morning, so I'm going to guess about 150-180
Gas: No gas today...woo who
Other things: How many days have I gone without makeup? All of them so far :) May be a new record for this girl.
HELMETS PLEASE!
ReplyDeleteSo impressed with your stamina (and a bit jealous!). Love the awesome pics. Looks like you guys are still friends....even more impressed with that! :) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRyan took off his helmet when we finished up, when we took the pic :)
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