taosnews, Author at Discover Taos

Rad Rivers

River rafting is a great way to get outdoors and experience the unique beauty of the Río Grande and other rivers.

By Cindy Brown

Taos rafting outfitters are looking forward to a spectacular season. With all the learning from last year about how to keep people COVID-safe, the outfitters are welcoming guests to a new season of fun on the river.

Rafters arrive at Souse Hole on the Río Grande. Taos News file photo

The raft trips vary from calm to thrilling depending on the difficulty of the rapids, but all trips feature the magic of being on the river and sights that might include ancient petroglyphs, otters, ducks, eagles and big horn sheep. River rafting is a great way to really experience the beauty of river life with its adventure and surprises.

Continue reading “Rad Rivers”

Heavenly Hikes

Taos’ trails less traveled

By Haven Lindsey

The majesty of the Sangre de Cristo mountains appeals to every type of hiker and outdoor enthusiast. New Mexico ranks sixth in the nation for the availability of public lands and Taos County offers a wide range of terrain.

Hikers and backpackers can climb from high desert to stately alpine mountains with their vast meadows and craggy, rock-strewn peaks. Most trails aren’t ‘seasonal’ in Taos County, so hikers and backpackers enjoy the trails year-round. Continue reading “Heavenly Hikes”

Fab Feats

Taos offers an amazing array of heartfelt and literally uplifting events along the Enchanted Circle. Be sure to check out our highs and skies, like llama trekking and hot air ballooning.

By Lily Sanborn and Virginia Clark

Taos offers an amazing array of heartfelt and literally uplifting events along the Enchanted Circle. Be sure to check out our highs and skies, like llama trekking and hot air ballooning!

Native to the high Andes, llamas are right at home in the alpine splendor of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Courtesy Wild Earth Llama Adventures

Continue reading “Fab Feats”

Get Outside, Catch a Fish

It’s not hard to catch a fish. Bait a hook or cast a fly or spinner and if something is downstream watching the flow it’s probably going to bite if the thing looks interesting enough to eat.

By Rick Romancito

But, that’s the simple part. What isn’t is less easy to describe and even harder to admit for some fisherfolk. Continue reading “Get Outside, Catch a Fish”

Horsing Around

Summer sunsets stun and beckon us to enjoy, and one of the best ways to enjoy them is on the back of a horse. Escape to the mountains or the trails of Taos with a furry friend on an adventure for riders of every experience.

By Lily Sanborn and Virginia Clark

Ride through La Lama Hills and the Sangre de Cristo mountains on one-hour, slow-paced trails, or wander through the piñon and juniper forest along the gentle slopes of the Sangre de Cristos. Continue reading “Horsing Around”

Vroom VROOM!

39^th Memorial Day motorcycle rally in Red River is on ! Because Red River was forced to cancel its annual motorcycle rally in 2020, the town plans to celebrate twice as hard this year, according to April Ralph, Red River’s director of tourism.

Hundreds of bikers and visitors attend the Memorial Day Weekend celebrations in Red River, taking place this year Thursday-Monday (May 27-31). Courtesy Town of Red River

“The 39th Annual Red River Memorial Motorcycle Rally will transpire from Thursday through Monday, May 27 to May 31, 2021,” Ralph said, noting too, “Red River will be following all COVID-19 safety policies and procedures that are in effect from the state of New Mexico at the time of the event.” Continue reading “Vroom VROOM!”

Rockin’ the Rockies

The word is out — summers in Taos rival its renowned winter ski season for outdoor adventure.

By jay foley

Taos County has miles of scenic river runs, cool hiking and biking trails, and stunning rock-climbing cliffs of all shapes and sizes. There is enough varied terrain surrounding Taos to keep beginners or expert outdoor enthusiasts satisfied for a lifetime.

Mountain Skills rock climbing guide Jay Foley in the Río Grande. Courtesy Kevin Rebholtz
Gorge.

Continue reading “Rockin’ the Rockies”

Margarita Madness

Sumptuous sipping, Taos-style

By Dena Miller

As one of the most popular – if not the most popular – cocktail on the planet, few adult beverages have the fan club the margarita has (cue: Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville”). The irresistible yet simple concoction of tequila, triple sec and fresh lime juice seems synonymous with sultry summer days and crisp autumn evenings, because, why not?

The Gorge — Margaritas, a sweet pink prickly pear with lime wedge. and a tart grapefruit marg with jalapeño and grapefruit twists, both at the Gorge Bar & Grill on Taos Plaza. Morgan Timms/Taos News

Continue reading “Margarita Madness”

Still and Hills

Brews and views!

By Dena Miller

‘Taos Lightning’ is an Old West spirit brand with as colorful a back story as one would expect from this neck of the woods. Originally distilled by Simeon Turley of Arroyo Hondo in the 1820s, it was a concoction of raw wheat grain alcohol, river water and other “proprietary” ingredients like chewing tobacco (!).

Medley, at 100 NM-150 in El Prado, offers a Sazerac containing Taos Lightning, Pernod Absinthe, sugar water, orange bitters, orange slices and mint leaves. Photo: Morgan Timms

Continue reading “Still and Hills”

Mexican or New Mexican

Or both?! It’s the never-ending debate in these parts: What is the difference between Mexican and New Mexican cuisine, anyway? Is there one?

By dena miller

Ask most people and they’ll say it’s the small things: corn, pinto beans and white cheese (Mexican) vs. wheat, black beans and yellow cheese (New Mexican). But so much more is common ground – lots of fresh veggies, sustainable ingredients and livestock, and a shared history that makes the food here truly unique. (Disclaimer: New Mexico’s beloved Hatch green chiles stand alone.) Continue reading “Mexican or New Mexican”

Carry Out and Carry On

Taos takeouts are the best in the Southwest

By Dena Miller

With all this natural beauty surrounding you, the siren call of the outdoors is impossible to ignore. (And why would you, anyway?) That’s when it’s the time to grab some food, find a sweet spot to relax, giving sustenance to your soul while you bliss your body with really good eats. Continue reading “Carry Out and Carry On”

Summer Picnics

As the weather grows warmer, many of us are eager to get outdoors and luxuriate in the fresh air with our friends and families. Mid-summer is a splendid time for a picnic under the trees.

By lucy herrman

Whether planning to bring a moveable feast to one of Taos’s multitude of beautiful parks and recreation areas, or to invite a few friends over for a backyard get-together, we love the simplicity of eating outdoors. We can keep things effortless and still reap the benefits of special get-togethers.

Watermelon Salad, Black Bean Salad or simple sliced tomatoes are perfect picnic partners.

Continue reading “Summer Picnics”

TSV Food Scene

The Mountain Abides and So Does the Food Scene at Taos Ski Valley

By Haven Lindsey

The old adage that, ‘you don’t need a silver fork to eat good food’ is as fitting in 2021 as perhaps ever before. The COVID-19 pandemic shuttered doors of restaurants and altered the dining habits of people everywhere yet chefs, diners, and foodies everywhere have adapted. The food scene at the Taos Ski Valley looks a bit different these days and it turns out that indeed, the food tastes just as good without the silver fork. Continue reading “TSV Food Scene”

Cars, Arts and Wine

Red River has it all! For a mountain town of fewer than 500 residents, and one that is slowly reopening after pandemic lockdowns, Red River, New Mexico, always seems to have something going on.

Wine tastings of local and regional vintners offered at Red River Art & Wine Festival. Courtesy Red River Visitor Center

Continue reading “Cars, Arts and Wine”

Summer Movies

For movie fans, it was a bummer when big screen theaters closed and we were left watching films via online streaming services. But, as in all things involving big changes, there was some good and some bad.

By Rick Romancito

What’s available to watch this summer? After picking through several online lists, we picked a few movies you might want to pencil-in. Here are our picks for summer movies …

Margot Robbie stars as Harley Quinn in ‘Suicide Squad,’ due for release in August. Warner Bros.

Continue reading “Summer Movies”

Stage Lights

The drum beats. The bass rolls and the guitar rocks. Your toe taps and your body sways to the rhythm. Music has long been key to mental and emotional health and well-being.

By Kiki Shakti

Studies have shown that attending live music performances decreases the release of cortisol and other stress hormones. Watching live music can result in a 25% increase in feelings of self-worth and a 75% improvement in mental stimulation. Regular concert attendance can add up to a decade to your life expectancy and dancing can help stave off dementia 70% more than crosswords or sudoku.

Continue reading “Stage Lights”

TJ Mabrey

The City of Albuquerque acquires Taos artist TJ Mabrey sculpture for the Public Art Collection

The story behind TJ Mabrey’s sculpture, “Three Sisters,” is complicated. It’s related to agriculture; and it speaks to survival from agriculture – for both the human race and our home, the Earth. Continue reading “TJ Mabrey”

Crown Jewels

Taos museums survive and thrive in 2021

By Dena Miller

Notable exhibitions and big dreams are in the works for Taos museums: Couse-Sharp Historic Site; Harwood Museum of Art; Millicent Rogers Museum; Taos Art Museum at Fechin House; and Taos Historic Museums. Continue reading “Crown Jewels”

A Call to Passion

While Taos has been welcoming a wave of new home owners, the art community has likewise opened its arms to four new galleries in town.

by dena miller

Toby Putnam – via Montana – opened his gallery LUN + ojo (111 Paseo del Pueblo Norte) in December 2020, and now, he’s “doing exactly what I want to do.” Under the watchful eyes of a taxidermy bison head (“Hunted by bow and arrow 40 years ago”), Putnam and his canine buddy, Buck, welcome you to what he affectionately refers to as “curated chaos.”

LUN+ojo gallery opened December 2020. Courtesy Toby Putnam

Continue reading “A Call to Passion”

Arts Alive

Angel Fire art and businesses are back

By Jacqui Binford-Bell

Arts in Angel Fire and the Moreno Valley may not be as easy to find now as they once were. There used to be two galleries: The Rupp Gallery and Arts Space Gallery. But as respective owners Carol Rupp and Katherine McDermott discovered, you can either create art or sell it.

Wood-fire pottery by Jo DeKeuster of Enchanted Circle Pottery. Check out the 4th Annual Angel Fire Studio Tour Sept. 26 and 27, 2021.

Continue reading “Arts Alive”

River rafting is a great way to get outdoors and experience the unique beauty of the Río Grande and other rivers.

By Cindy Brown

Taos’ trails less traveled

By Haven Lindsey

Taos offers an amazing array of heartfelt and literally uplifting events along the Enchanted Circle. Be sure to check out our highs and skies, like llama trekking and hot air ballooning.

By Lily Sanborn and Virginia Clark

It’s not hard to catch a fish. Bait a hook or cast a fly or spinner and if something is downstream watching the flow it’s probably going to bite if the thing looks interesting enough to eat.

By Rick Romancito

Summer sunsets stun and beckon us to enjoy, and one of the best ways to enjoy them is on the back of a horse. Escape to the mountains or the trails of Taos with a furry friend on an adventure for riders of every experience.

By Lily Sanborn and Virginia Clark

39th Memorial Day motorcycle rally in Red River is on ! Because Red River was forced to cancel its annual motorcycle rally in 2020, the town plans to celebrate twice as hard this year, according to April Ralph, Red River’s director of tourism.

The word is out — summers in Taos rival its renowned winter ski season for outdoor adventure.

By jay foley

Sumptuous sipping, Taos-style

By Dena Miller

Brews and views!

By Dena Miller

Or both?! It’s the never-ending debate in these parts: What is the difference between Mexican and New Mexican cuisine, anyway? Is there one?

By dena miller

Taos takeouts are the best in the Southwest

By Dena Miller

As the weather grows warmer, many of us are eager to get outdoors and luxuriate in the fresh air with our friends and families. Mid-summer is a splendid time for a picnic under the trees.

By lucy herrman

The Mountain Abides and So Does the Food Scene at Taos Ski Valley

By Haven Lindsey

Red River has it all! For a mountain town of fewer than 500 residents, and one that is slowly reopening after pandemic lockdowns, Red River, New Mexico, always seems to have something going on.

For movie fans, it was a bummer when big screen theaters closed and we were left watching films via online streaming services. But, as in all things involving big changes, there was some good and some bad.

By Rick Romancito

The drum beats. The bass rolls and the guitar rocks. Your toe taps and your body sways to the rhythm. Music has long been key to mental and emotional health and well-being.

By Kiki Shakti

The City of Albuquerque acquires Taos artist TJ Mabrey sculpture for the Public Art Collection

Taos museums survive and thrive in 2021

By Dena Miller

While Taos has been welcoming a wave of new home owners, the art community has likewise opened its arms to four new galleries in town.

by dena miller

Angel Fire art and businesses are back

By Jacqui Binford-Bell

39^th Memorial Day motorcycle rally in Red River is on ! Because Red River was forced to cancel its annual motorcycle rally in 2020, the town plans to celebrate twice as hard this year, according to April Ralph, Red River’s director of tourism.