Three-4-Thursday

The Real Abiquiu

 

Following our five-night adventure on the Rio Chama and a Labor Day night at Ghost Ranch, and on our way back to civilization, Kathy and I made the usual stop at Bode's General Store on U.S. Hwy. 84 for some gas, unique atmosphere, and restrooms -- and a chocolate milkshake at the adjacent Frosty Cow.  I had always considered this tiny outcropping of commerce to be Abiquiu.  But the real town is actually across the highway and up a hill past the post office by way of an unpaved road.  Well, actually, not so much a town as "a small census-designated place located in Rio Arriba County."

Having some extra time, we decided to venture up the hill to see the "real" Abiquiu.  We were unaware that this small community includes one of Georgia O'Keefe's two homes in the immediate area (the other being at Ghost Ranch).  Now known as the Georgia O'Keefe Home and Studio, the house was purchased by her from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe in 1945.  It was her primary residence until she moved to Santa Fe in 1984.  We will have to stop for a tour the next time we visit the area.  However, we were quite taken with what we did see.

Dominating the small town square is Santo Tomas El Apostol church.  The original church was built in 1773, and the current adobe structure dates to 1937.

Across the square from the church is the Pueblo de Abiquiu Library and Cultural Center.  This tile mosaic adorns its exterior wall next to the entrance.

Further up the hill and on the outskirts of the town is this mysterious adobe structure.  It is the Penitente Morada.  For one traveler's description of this chapel, the (formerly secret) society that built and maintains it, and her experience in participating in a religious ceremony there, see this well-written blog post.

Note:  Click on any photograph to see it in full scale.

  

 

Wednesday Wildlife

Our five-night trip on the Rio Chama included hiking above the Aragon rapid campsite on September 2.  There I spotted this plateau fence lizard (Sceloporus trestichus), a fairly large specimen that was seemingly unimpressed by my presence.  It posed for several photographs.

 

Sunday Sunlight

As Kathy and I were driving southwest on NM-112, the sunset lit up the rain clouds to the east.  It was August 30, and we were headed from Tierra Amarilla to Cooper's El Vado Ranch.  We would begin our adventure on the Rio Chama the following day.
 

Sunday Sunlight

Sunset along Gum Slough in Martin Dies, Jr. State Park

These photos were taken on March 26 from our campsite at the park.  Earlier in the day, we paddled about nine miles down the Angelina River from the town of Bevilport, established in 1834, to the park.

Sunday Sunlight

Labor Day sunset in Abiquiu, New Mexico

After six days on the Rio Chama, we stopped at Bode's General Store for an ice cream sandwich and some gas.

 

Wednesday Wildlife

On April 15, a raucous clamor from our backyard drew my attention. It wasn't the taxman coming.  Instead, the racket was emanating from several species of birds upset about an intruder.  The unwelcome (to the regular inhabitants) visitor was a large barred owl (Strix varia).  It was perched in the large goldenraintree planted by Kathy years ago.  

After being harassed and occasionally dive-bombed by its tormentors for several minutes, the owl moved further up the tree.

Finally, it flew over to our neighbors' oak tree.  There, a white-winged dove (note the tail feathers to the left of the owl) expressed its displeasure by flapping its wings and making periodic passes close (but not too close) to this magnificent bird of prey.

Note:  Click on a photo to enlarge.

    

Saturday Paddlers - Frio River

The July 4 weekend found the Saturday Paddlers taking advantage of the holiday by traveling to the Frio River.  We put in at the Hwy. 127 bridge in Concan and took out at the RM 2690 low water crossing, a distance of about six miles on the water.  The Frio was running at about 260 cfs, a fun level for my first trip on this beautiful little river.  By starting at Concan, we missed the hordes of tubers clogging the river upstream of us.

Robert, Reiko, Joline, Sandra, Kathy, and Terry waved at the photographer shortly after launching.  The impatient Don and Joan had jumped ahead.

Joline (Dear Leader) in her patriotic boat and Sandra in her pink one

Robert, Don, and Sandra

Kathy maneuvers around a bend.

Sandra picked up a punctured tube.

Robert, Kathy, Joan, Terry, Sandra, Don, Reiko, and Joline anxiously waited for the frozen margaritas to be served at our stop for snacks.

Note:  To see all sixteen photos from this outing, click here.