Sunday and Monday we celebrated my birthday by visiting some of my favorite off-the-beaten-path “gems” that make New Mexico so delightful.
A drive up the High Road to Taos, lush and green due to the monsoon rains having soaked at least this part of New Mexico’s northern terrain. Small artist communities like Truchas, Chamayo and, Ojo Sarco enchant me as the small road meanders along the mountains. A scrumptious dinner at chez Liggett’s combining the amazing offerings of Song’s Asian Cuisine with the rich tastes of Chateauneuf du Pape wine from an off-the-beaten-path infamous town in France. All being consumed on our Taos adobe while we enjoy flashes of lightning in a tumultuous sky!
Up early on Monday (my actual birthday), we (of course accompanied by Osita and Yeti, our faithful hiking companions), drive out State Road 518 past Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort to one of our favorite hiking trails. Agua Piedras Trail is tucked in the midst of Carson National Forest and it is a spectacular hike to Indian Lake. This time of year the wildflowers filled the lush meadows and pop up in sunny spots along the trail. Bright skies, quiet except for the soothing gurgles of the brook that follows the trail. Beautiful! Enchanting!
Two hours later, we are off the trail and sitting on the porch of our favorite “hidden gem” restaurant, Sugar Nymphs Bistro in the small town of Penasco. Lee, Osita, Yeti and I shared a lovely, well-prepared, right-sized lunch. Lee’s eternal quest for the BEST carrot cake in the WORLD came to its conclusion … right there on that porch. OMG, I am not a dessert eater, but must confess that from its eye appeal to the magnificent cacophony of tastes, this was, well …., a slice of heaven. As it should be. The amazing chef/owner of this eatery is a Buddhist monk who learned her culinary arts at the San Francisco Zen Center Restaurant, Greens.
Speaking of the slice, it was large enough to have served everyone in the Bistro and many passers-by. But we did not share. We ate several forkfuls and agreed that a treasure such as this should be doled out in tiny, tiny pieces over the several days, weeks, year. Just kidding. As I type this, Lee has probably already finished it. I better go check!
Until next time, when we will share some of our newest garment gems ……… Sandy (now one year older).
