Exploring Taos and the Enchanted Circle

The northeast corner of New Mexico boasts the “Enchanted Circle,” an 84 mile drive through several small towns including Taos. The online pictures intrigued us. Moreover, we’d often discussed the idea of visiting Taos. Traveling from Texas to Colorado afforded a perfect opportunity to stop for a few days in this part of the country. We left our rig parked near Raton, preferring to drive through the mountains unencumbered by the weight of our fifth-wheel. We were eager to explore and looked forward to a two-night stay at a B&B in Taos.

First stop: the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch near Cimarron. This area has always had a special place in Skip’s heart since his childhood when the Stromberg family vacationed at the this ranch. We walked around the training center; Skip nostalgically recalled his family staying in the “tent city.” We then continued to the remarkable Boy Scout museum, built in 2018. The exhibit was deeply moving to both of us, tracing through the history and impact of the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts played a significant role in Skip’s childhood and his father was his Scout Master. In fact, when we first began dating, Skip gave me a Boy Scout coin: one side displayed the Scout Oath while the other listed the Scout Law. That gift spoke volumes to my heart.

From Cimarron we headed west to Eagle Nest where the Enchanted Circle begins. Much of the forest along this stretch of road had been ravaged by the 2018 Cimarron Canyon fire. While the natural rhythm of fire is essential to the forest, the scarred landscape was jarring. Finally, we came up over a ridge to snow-capped, sun-kissed mountains beyond Eagle Nest Lake. Just plain WOW!

We traveled north to Red River through switchbacks and climbing elevation, reaching nearly 8,700 feet. A brisket sandwich at the Red River Brewery hit the spot for lunch. With a chunk of peanut butter chocolate fudge purchased from the local candy shop in hand, we hit the road, continuing counter-clockwise on the Enchanted Circle.

After a quick stop in Questa at a pottery boutique, we arrived at Taos. Quite unexpectedly, a couple we’d met weeks before in Texas texted us to let us know they, too, were in Taos. We met for dinner at a burger joint and had a blast. Such is the joy of making friends while traveling in our rig.

We landed in Taos during the off season. Ski season was done, and summer tourism is still weeks away. As a result, the town was a bit sleepy. Several stores, galleries, museums and restaurants were closed. Nonetheless, with a blue-sky day as our backdrop, we sauntered in and out of the shops in the Taos Plaza. We indulged in “craft mousse” at an upscale chocolatier: chocolate hazelnut for Skip and white chocolate for me. Both were divine! The water cups were presented rather uniquely.

The next day included a trip to the Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge. The bridge spans 650 feet above the river, thus earning its place as the second highest bridge on the U.S. Highway System and the fifth highest bridge in the United States. During construction of the bridge in the 1960s, funding did not exist to continue the road on the other side, leading to its nickname, the original “Bridge to Nowhere.”

Completing the Enchanted Circle on our third day, we traveled east back to our rig. We stopped along the way at the St. James Hotel where bullet holes remain in the bar ceiling from gunfights. Legendary hotel guests include Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Billy the Kid and Thomas James Wright. We also noticed several points along the journey that marked the historical Sante Fe trail. We stopped to capture these shots of the mainstays of transportation in that era.

Onward to Colorado. Can’t wait! Hope you’ll come along for the ride!