Landing in Ranchos

The journey from Colorado to New Mexico was a glorious one, over passes, through canyons and forests...  another sun-laden day with highs in the 50's. I stopped on the border to winterize La Perla, aware that the three weeks of warmth I had enjoyed was due to change within 24 hours. I arrived Ranchos de Taos at sundown and stepped out of my truck to the haunting, delicious smell of pinon smoke; the Ranchos church bell tolled in the distance. I was back in the "Land of Enchantment," about to be served one of her delicious sunsets.

I am still in awe that I have ended up here. It was not on my list of possibilities that included Arizona and a Mexico beach, yet, here I am at the invitation of friend to house sit while he goes to Belgium for several months. My second day here I walked into the Ranchos post office, saw a long line of people bearing Christmas packages and uttered, "Oh dear, I only want one stamp." A woman responded, "Just one stamp?" I turned and looked into the eyes of an old friend. We were shocked. Suzanne laughed and said, "Have I got a stamp for YOU!" and laid one on me. And that's the way it's gone since my arrival: a transition as rich and beauty-full as can be.

Rio Grande Gorge

River Spirit

Yesterday a good friend Phaedra and I revisited a favorite area that has figured largely in my writings. The opening bike scene in Drive Me Wild was the winding road along the Rio Grande. I listed the bench hike along gorge in my NM sacred sites book. Our purpose was to see the big horn sheep that have been re-introduced to the area. We didn't see any this day, but the prospect alone was invigorating.

Today is New Moon. I am going to take advantage of the warmth and sunshine and re-visit Grandmother Tree, the spirit of the forest that sent me on my way ten years ago. The nights are filled with shooting stars as the energy bursts from the Milk Way begin, to culminate on the winter solstice and the end of the Mayan Calendar.

Here I am, back where it all began, as I prepare to write the sequel. The flow of life picked me up and sent me down an unexpected channel. I wonder what Grandmother Tree will have to say about this? Or the sweet Hispanic woman who is going to deliver a dozen green chile/pork tamales later today? As if to up the ante, I asked her to include some heat.