We try to take one major trip each year. In 2024 we did a tour of the Rhone River in France. We sometimes also spend a week or two in Mexico. Living in Colorado, perhaps the most beautiful state in the nation, we decided to add some shorter trips around Colorado and nearby states.
Taos
We began our trip to the Taos area by stopping at Great Sand Dunes National Park. What are the white dots in the photo, you ask? Snow. It’s early season and there is snow in the air.
We had been to Taos several times but had never visited the Taos Pueblo. The tribe has several hundred members, but only a few live full-time at the pueblo. A college student led us around the pueblo and explained how the tribal nation is self-governing and controls access to the forest region nearby.
This church is famous because it was featured in art by Georgia O’Keeffe.
Not far from Taos, this bridge spans the Rio Grande River.
This village, filled with homes powered by the sun, is just west of the Rio Grande Bridge. It looks like something out of the 1980s.
We also visited the Wild Rivers Recreation Area, which looks down over the Rio Grande River.
Cortez
We have visited Mesa Verde National Park several times, but usually in a hurry on our way to some final destination. This time, we decided to spend three nights in Cortez and take our time as we explored hiking trails in the park.
The next day we explored the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument and Hovenweep.
On our way back to Fort Collins, we hiked several trails at Arches National Park.
Black Hills of South Dakota
We had visited Fort Laramie before, but newly restored buildings and interiors made the fort come alive. Well done.
Not far away we took a short walk to view some wagon wheel ruts left over from the Oregon Trail.
After spending the night in Wheatland, Wyoming we drove to the Devil’s Tower. Bad choice. The line of cars was moving so slowly that we finally turned around and headed for South Dakota.
In Deadwood, we searched for a casino with video poker. Such games have been replaced by other video games that have no appeal. Video poker is no longer a thing. The next day we headed for Badlands National Park.
Back in the Black Hills, we found the Bridal Falls aptly named. A wedding party made it difficult to get a close-up view.
