My good friends, Gail Dobish and Maris Veidemanis, recently relocated to Santa Fe. In late July 2008 we took the scenic High Road drive from Santa Fe to Taos, stopping at the sanctuary at Chimayo on the way there, and at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge on the return. 
The historic sanctuary at Chimayo, completed in 1816, is on the way the way to Taos. As explained in Wikipedia: "For its reputation as a healing site (believers claim that dirt from a back room of the church can heal physical and spiritual ills), it has become known as the "Lourdes of America," and attracts close to 300,000 visitors a year, including up to 30,000 during Holy Week (the week prior to Easter). It has been called "no doubt the most important Catholic pilgrimage center in the United States." The sanctuary was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970." 
The Rio Grande river has cut a dramatic gorge through the volcanic plateau outside of Taos. The Gorge Bridge, located about 10 miles outside of Taos, spans the chasm, at a height of about 800' above the river.
A view of the Rio Grande Gorge looking towards Taos.
Set forth below is Barak Obama's Nomination Victory Speech In St. Paul June 3, 2008. You decide whether this is soaring rhetoric or insane narcissism:
"The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment - this was the time - when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."
Lucy (mixed bichon and poodle), age 13 weeks:
Samantha (standard poodle), her older sister age 12 years:
My good friends, Gail Dobish and Maris Veidemanis, recently relocated to Santa Fe. In late July 2008 we took the scenic High Road drive from Santa Fe to Taos, stopping at the sanctuary at Chimayo on the way there, and at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge on the return. 
The historic sanctuary at Chimayo, completed in 1816, is on the way the way to Taos. As explained in Wikipedia: "For its reputation as a healing site (believers claim that dirt from a back room of the church can heal physical and spiritual ills), it has become known as the "Lourdes of America," and attracts close to 300,000 visitors a year, including up to 30,000 during Holy Week (the week prior to Easter). It has been called "no doubt the most important Catholic pilgrimage center in the United States." The sanctuary was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970." 
The Rio Grande river has cut a dramatic gorge through the volcanic plateau outside of Taos. The Gorge Bridge, located about 10 miles outside of Taos, spans the chasm, at a height of about 800' above the river.
A view of the Rio Grande Gorge looking towards Taos.
