Beyond Santa Fe, New Mexico, just 30-minute drive north, rests the village of Chimayo. Nested in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The desert is peaceful here, some ancients viewed it as magical and healing. Today the spiritual mood of the place still exists. And the natural beauty! Chimayo is a verdant oasis worth a visit in the Land of Enchantment.
The B&B Team affiliate, Marilyn Bushnell, recently visited Chimayo and stayed at the Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast. She was able to explore the area. Chimayo is a great central location for day trips to Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Abuiqui, Taos, and the high road to Taos. Here are some of the enchantments she experienced.
“I love Georgia O’Keefe, so I stopped in her dedicated museum, drove the ‘turquoise’ trail to ABQ and took in the very different scenery and food of the region.” Marilyn
The level desert with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distant horizon make the sweeping sunrises and sunsets special. The sky, desert and mountain hues can be seen in paintings (Georgia O’Keefe for sure!), woven blankets and baskets, painted doors and adobe walls. Everywhere you go there is desert color.
“I loved the weavers (the one gentleman I met has had his weaving on display in the Smithsonian).” Marilyn. Chimayo Weavers.
The Trujillo family have been weavers in Chimayo for eight generations. “I see the colors-the browns and greens in the ground and trees, the blues of the sky, the reds, purples, oranges in the sky at sunset, the yellows in the plants. I weave with these and other colors. I’m influenced so much by the landscape and anything I see.” Irvin Trujillo
One special and enchanting place is the little church, El Santuario de Chimayo, one of the most beautiful examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in New Mexico. It’s best known for the curative powers of the ‘holy dirt’ found in a small prayer room inside the sanctuary. The church draws more than 300,000 visitors a year. The upcoming Holy Week will bring pilgrims walking from Santa Fe and some as far as Albuquerque. Believers or not, the church and the grounds communicate a heightened sense of spirituality. A place to experience the sounds of silence.
Colors are in the food too! Rancho de Chimayo Restaurant is located in Chimayo. A long time family run New Mexican restaurant.
“Signature dishes of spicy guacamole, hand rolled tamales, blue corn enchiladas, carne adovada and chile rellenos. A refreshing prickly pear margarita made with our signature tequila or glass of fine wine from our full bar will compliment your meal but please leave room for a fluffy sopapilla dipped in fresh local honey or one of our seasonal desserts as a finale to your visit.”
Got my attention!
Marilyn said “...don’t forget to mention Chimayo Chili Pepper; Food and Wine wrote an article about it.” From Food and Wine .
“The most prized culinary item of the region is its distinctly reddish-orange chile that attracts purveyors from all nooks of the globe. Despite being so well-known, it is grown only in this community in small batches by a group of farmers who harvest the crop each fall.”
After Marilyn’s time exploring and tasting, back to the Inn to relax and rejuvenate.
A guest who has visited the Inn 11 times expresses her experience. “Walk the grounds and down the lane or sit under the portal or the patio in back to watch the birds flock to the feeders. Count the millions of stars at night by the fire pit. Wish I was there right now but have rich memories of our stays.”
The opportunity to live, work and play in the Land of Enchantment, the opportunity to create your own rich colorful memories as innkeepers/owners of Casa Escondida may be just what you are seeking.
Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast for sale. An historic and artisan-rich village location with a popular tourist-rich location, countless area attractions that draw guests, and with quality style. Listed exclusively with The B&B Team® / Bushnell Services.
Thanks for Listening,
Janet Wolf