We came to Taos after Monument Valley (Arizona/Utah) and have spent two sunny days visiting Taos Pueblo (above), sitting in the shady 17th century downtown plaza of more modern Taos, and enjoying a nice bike ride. Taos and Santa Fe are major art centers so there are galleries and studios everywhere: painting, ceramics, weaving, and jewelry. Barbara visited Taos Pueblo which is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the U.S.! Families still live in adobe structures like this one as they have for thousands of years.
While these structures are over 1,000 years old, they were modified later by adding doors. Originally the only entryway into the homes was by ladder through an opening in the rooftop, also serving as a source of light and safeguard against intruders.
The drying rack is still used to dry meat for jerky as well as for corn, squash, and bean crops. The native language Tiwa and is unwritten and unrecorded, and the living natives intend to leave it that way. The exteriors are plastered yearly with adobe bricks (earth, straw, and water) with walls several feet thick. These are multifamily structures that share walls.
Well, we are on to Santa Fe later today for three days before going to Oklahoma and Arksansas to visit Barbara's sisters and their families.
Great stuff. I enjoyed the post about the ravens also. What a time you must be having! We think and talk about you every day.
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