Throw off the bowlines: New Mexico, Part 2

In the first hour of our road trip, before we even crossed the Georgia state line, we had a discussion of things we've never done but always wanted to try. There are numerous things on Thelma's "Road Trip Bucket List," one of which is riding a horse. We couldn't think of a better place to fulfill this bucket list dream than in New Mexico.



After a breakfast of champions, again, at the Cottonwood, we traveled out to Cieneguilla Stables, where we met Melissa and her band of merry horses.

On our two and a half hour trip, we traveled along the Apache Trail, and discovered a newfound beauty among the mountains of New Mexico. Melissa, an excellent tour guide, made many stops along the way to point out Native American pottery remains and different geological wonders.

In Louise's words (who has ridden since the age of 8, English style) Thelma took to riding like a pro. Thelma claims that she owes it all to Santana, her beautiful spotted Appaloosa, whose only fault being that she stopped many times to eat. Thelma didn't want to give the horse a complex so she often lagged behind a bit...

Melissa chose Chelsea Lou for Louise's journey on horseback. As a twenty-year-old, Chelsea Lou was still fiesty and had a bit of an attitude, hence why Melissa chose the most experienced rider to be her companion.

We look like cowgirls, minus the sneakers and lack of cowgirl hats.

Although we had planned an afternoon hike, our ride through the wilderness took more out of us than expected, if only we could have foreshadowed the next morning when we both woke up and said "owwwww," our pain then would pale in comparison. Instead of a hike, we chose to relax in our chairs, go to dinner, and see a New Mexican sunset.

We dined at "Orlandos," an authentic New Mexican restaurant. When we say authentic, we literally mean that we ate in silence as we panted, sweated, and burned any tastebuds left in our mouths. To say the meal was spicy would be an understatement.

On our last night in Taos, we drove to the Rio Grande Gorge to see our first New Mexican sunset. With our road trip anthem on full blast, thank you Something Corporate, we sang our way to the setting sun. Barely making it before it set (that was fast!) we got out of our trusty Thunderbird and witnessed one of nature's greatest wonders.

You must travel to New Mexico, if only to see a sunset.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do then by the ones that you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Mark Twain

Goodbye Taos. You will forever be the backdrop to our dreams.