Welcome to
Collectors Corner!
Ed Sandoval Gallery's Newsletter
102-B Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571
edsandovalart@gmail.com
(575) 770-6360
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Autumn Outdoors in Beautiful New Mexico |
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Winter is coming, and many of us are going to be hunkering down in our homes for a long, long time. Last month, knowing what was coming, we decided to get outdoors while we could – one last hoorah - and embark on some new adventures. I’ve heard from many of you that your trips to Taos had to be cancelled this year. You couldn't travel here for a nice vacation, so I am going to take you along (virtually) as we explore some new sights. |
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Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
We had never ridden on this historical steam-engine train that winds through Colorado and New Mexico on a narrow-gauge railroad track. And let me say now, there were four of us, and we all agreed it was one of the absolute COOLEST things we’ve ever done. I highly recommend it.
The train runs from Antonito, CO, all the way to Chama, NM (64 miles), but not in a straight line. Oh no! It climbs and winds up and around...crisscrossing the CO/NM border 11 times along the way. We climbed aboard in Antonito, the whistle blew, and as we chugged away everyone was hanging out windows and running to the open cars to get the best view of steam billowing into blue skies as we clackity-clack-clacked our way through sagebrush-filled countryside.
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Away we went, powered down the track by a coal fired, steam operated, narrow gauge locomotive. Their website says, "Most of the route is through 'off-the-grid' wilderness, so you’ll experience views into canyons and over ridges that can’t be seen in any other way." No truer words were ever spoken! We spent the entire trip riding in one of the open cars so we could see everything (with occasional trips to the bar car for Bloody Mary's).
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We climbed in elevation and started seeing light green, gold and fire-orange aspen leaves shimmering in the breeze. The train hugged rock cliffs as it twisted and turned, revealing more and more autumn colors in each mountain valley that came into view.
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Normally chugging along at 12 miles per hour, the train slowed as it snaked carefully up and over the Cumbres Pass. At 10,015 feet, this is the highest mountain pass reached by rail in the U.S.
It also creeped along the rim of the Toltec Gorge, which has 800-feet deep walls. You can almost reach out your hand and feel the rock as the train squeezes by. It is one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen! We all felt as energized and excited as little kids high on sugary candy on Christmas morning.
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There's no way words can describe the views. Mid journey, we stopped at historic Sublette to take on water for our thirsty steam engine. The original section house, bunk houses and coal storage house survive, isolated from the world at 9,375 feet. Next, we went through pitch-black tunnels and along rock ledges overlooking the rushing Rio de los Pinos below. Descending slightly into a mountain meadow, we stopped at Osier (mid-point) for lunch.
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Stopping for Water in Sublette: Me, Janell and David |
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Pausing for Lunch in Osier |
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Once our bellies were full of turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing, we felt like we had just had Thanksgiving dinner and climbed back aboard for the return trip to Antonito. One day, we're going to do the full route - all the way to Chama. The turkey made us sleepy, but we still hung out in the open car because we were too enthralled to stop viewing the vistas. Here's a map of our half route showing the landmarks along the way (Source).
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Website Photo Showing the Train Exiting Mud Tunnel that is Supported by Wood Beams (Source)
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Hiking to Williams Lake (Elevation 11,040)
Have you ever had an idea, and everyone in the group says, "That's fantastic! Let's do it!" Such was the beginning of our next outdoor adventure that just about killed all of us.
We started our trek at the Taos Ski Valley. Hearing the climb was a mere two miles, we walked happily past the Bavarian toward the trail. It was a gorgeous day - sunny and cool - and our spirits were high. But then we started climbing...
The trail is well marked and winds through an alpine forest, but the ground is uneven - rocks upon rocks, logs, ledges and more rocks - you stop looking at the serene views and stare at your feet the whole time so you won't trip and fall. Up and up and up...often scrambling over some pretty steep areas.
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You must remember that we were all in our mid 50's (at least) and somewhat out of shape because we'd been binge-watching Netflix while staying at home. The air seemed so thin, and we couldn't stop huffing and puffing (but to our credit we were climbing at over 10,000 feet). Stop, pant, trudge forward. Stop, pant, trudge forward. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. |
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Wheeler Peek Wilderness Sign |
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Resting Again with Janell and David (Gwen Took the Photo) |
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We had masks with us, which we put on when we heard somebody coming up or down the trail. What seemed like a day later (but was probably more like 45 minutes), we asked a fellow hiker, "How much further?" He laughed and said we were about half way. Ug! 30 minutes after that we asked another hiker, "How much further?" She said, "You're 2/3 there!" But 30 minutes after that, we asked yet more hikers, "How much further" and they said, "You're 2/3 there!" What????? Oh our aching feet! Longest two miles EVER.
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The guidebooks rate this trail "moderate" in difficulty, but whoever did that was young. Every one of us entertained the thought of turning around. Our legs were Jello, but for whatever reason (stubbornness?) we kept going. Finally, finally we made it to the top! We did it! It took three evenings in the hot tub before our bodies forgave us, but we did it. |
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Visiting Sierra Vista Cemetery
This historic cemetery is right on the main drag of Taos (Paseo del Pueblo Norte), but, believe it or not, I had never been there. It is celebrated because so many notable people are buried here, including many founding members of the Taos Society of Artists.
For a long time, the cemetery was somewhat neglected and overgrown, but my good buddy Thom Wheeler (also a Taos artist) volunteered to spearhead a cleanup effort. He did a fabulous job, and now it is so clean and inviting.
Video of Thom talking about Sierra Vista HERE.
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Oscar Berninghaus (Artist) |
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Millicent Rogers (Socialite, Fashion Icon & Art Collector/Supporter)
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Santuario de Chimayo
Our final stop on this virtual vacation is a favorite place of mine. I've written about Chimayo many, many times, so I don't want to repeat all that. I just wanted you to see this gorgeous picture! The sky was so blue and the fall colors were spectacular!
After walking around, we ate at Rancho de Chimayó and stocked up on chile ristras and spices. Love it there.
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Dreams & Digging for Gold... |
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This little story is bizarre, but it's too fun not to share. It happened over a year ago out at our house.
I often have crazy dreams but don't really pay much attention to them. One morning, however, my dream stuck with me. I was wandering through trees and sagebrush on the northwest corner of our property. I heard a voice that told me Spanish gold was buried nearby. "Look for the mound," the voice said.
That evening, I was telling a couple of people about my dream over some drinks. They laughed, probably thinking, "Ed's an eccentric artist." But that night, I had the same dream again and this time was told (or shown) to look for the mound with a bone on top of it. I woke up, felt strange and thought, "This is more than just a wild dream." I started hiking.
Later that day, I was drinking again with the same two people, but we were joined by my friend Tomas. They started telling Tomas about the dream, and we all joked and laughed about it. Then I told them I had a second dream, and this time was told to look for a mound with a bone on it. I looked at them and said, "I went hiking this morning and found it."
The detail about the bone - that I actually found a big mound of dirt with a bone on it - shocked everyone into silence. We looked at one another, and I knew we all had the same thought. "I have shovels in the garage," I said. Without a word being spoken, we leapt off our chairs, grabbed our drinks and took off.
Tomas and I dug and dug while the girls sipped their drinks and offered encouragement. Ha ha. The dirt was really soft. Something at one time was indeed buried there, but we didn't find anything. Did we dig deep enough? Should I keep digging? Who knows...
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Featured Paintings
To inquire or request a high-resolution photo, contact 575-770-6360 or edsandovalart@gmail.com. For all available paintings, click HERE
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"Light Behind the Clouds" (28x22) |
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"The Winding Road" (31x50) |
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"Winter in Vadito" (40x30) |
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"Governor of Taos Pueblo" (36x36) |
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The 2021 Calendar Is Coming Soon! |
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2020 is almost over - can I get a collective "HOORAY"? I know that I'm looking forward to leaving 2020 behind, so I picked extra special images for next year's calendar. They are $5 less than last year to help everyone out: $35 + $8 shipping (USPS Priority envelope so there is tracking and insurance) = $43. I expect them to be delivered in late November, and there are are three ways to order:
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Online store at my www.edsandovalgallery.com website (Click HERE)
- Email edsandovalart@gmail.com (I can send an invoice via Square to pay online)
- Call me at (575) 770-6360
Thanks everyone! Here's hoping 2021 is a better, kinder year for all of us.
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Would you like to be a featured collector?
If so, please send your personal story and photo(s) to edsandovalart@gmail.com.
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Contact
Ed Sandoval Gallery
102-B Paseo Del Pueblo, Taos, NM 87571
www.edsandovalgallery.com | (575) 770-6360 | edsandovalart@gmail.com
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