pg5

A trip to Taos, New Mexico
In October, 2000, I took a trip to Taos with a friend from work. Our goal: Manby Hot Springs on the Rio Grande. Our source for directions was GORP. (Great Outdoor Recreation Page, see link to left)

We had the map, we had read what they had on the hot springs, and we set off one afternoon. We spent that first night at Blue Water State Park, near Grants. It was an interesting night...very cold, the tent smelled awful, it had gotten wet and it hadn't been noticed. So, after it had been dried out and aired of its worst portion of the musty odor, we slept.

Breakfast the next morning was instant coffee and a granola bar, camp was packed up, and we were back on the road. Albuquerque provided gas and we headed towards Santa Fe, a city we also didn't stop in.

The next portion of our trip was a scenic byway road trip running towards Taos. This route was also one found on GORP. It was a lovely drive. Taos was found that afternoon, and we spent a couple hours wandering around town before heading towards our goal, the Rio Grande Gorge.

The one thing that was neglected on the GORP website was camping sites. We lucked out and managed to find a spot that we deemed safe on the rim above the hot springs. We managed to get the tent erected before dark, and were blessed with a gorgeous sunset.

Morning comes early when you sleep in a tent also occupied by a large labrador. Dawn found me getting up, as the dog (not mine) had decided that he wanted to go out. I obliged him (nature began calling me as well) and got to watch the brilliant sunrise.

Instant coffee and bagels were breakfast that morning, a change of clothing went into my backpack, along with a towel and other hiking essentials. The gorge looked really deep and really steep. Having just recovered from a serious knee injury, I stood and debated whether I could safely take the shortcut, or if it was going to be necessary to hike back to the main trailhead. I opted for the shortcut, and felt very proud of myself as I slid on my butt down half of the canyon.

Once the main trail was reached, it was a fairly easy hike, the downhill slope probably also made it seem easier. Soon, we were at the ruins of a man's life, seeing the steam rising from the hot springs. Just a few feet away, the water of the Rio Grande rushed past us.

I have to admit, those hot springs felt absolutely wonderful that morning. Especially after stripping off your clothes in the shade on a crisp fall morning...

A glorious soak, a short hike further downstream just to see what there was to see, and then we hiked up the canyon. THAT was not nearly so easy, but once again, I opted for the shortcut to camp. This time, my pride was more genuine. I had made the climb out of the canyon without reinjuring my knee and had accurately gauged my own abilities versus the obstacle I was faced with.