We went looking for wild horses and found them! It wasn’t the most solitary moment because there were two of us watching these beauties, but… they looked rather solitary out there on the plateau with vast amounts of space to roam.
These two chairs popped up in my archive from 2007. They had a view of the meadows and Taos Mountain. Had there been someone sitting in them they wouldn’t have exuded a lonely feeling, but… the desire to sit in them overcame me so I sat in one of them.
A cash register from days gone by at the Chile Line Depot (a cafe) in Tres Piedras, NM. I had fish and chips, my buddy David had beef and green chile quesadilla. He had apple pie a la mode for dessert and I had a pinon nut brownie. The cash register was a side attraction, but… the food, the main event, was most excellent. Check them out if you’re passing by on 285, in northern New Mexico.
West of Taos, west of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, is a ranch where the ranch hands keep an ever-watchful eye at the ranch gate. I’ve shot this before. I like the illusion of the cowboys coming over the ridge. A sunset always adds a cinematic quality to the scene. But…..
…about 20 miles north of Taos and 8 miles from San Cristobal is the village of Questa. It is a thriving community of families and newcomers who take pride in their town. I shot this image out of the car windshield. I liked the old photo feeling it had.
About 30 miles north and west of Questa is a halt on the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, named Bountiful. There’s not a lot happening here on most days, but.. on this day, a sweet sheepherder, her husband on an ATV asked for help in getting their sheep and a donkey across the enormously busy US Highway 285. Following the perilous road crossing by the sheep and a forlorn looking donkey, a woman, independent of the others, appeared out of nowhere and trundled up. Smoking a cigarette, she blessed the day, and thanked God for everyone in it. She was followed close on her heels by her husband, he took her gently by her arm. But… unlike the sheep and the donkey, the husband seemed impervious to the traffic whizzing past. As they made their way across the same busy highway, with his wife on his arm he revealed that she had dementia. He made sure to let me know, that I had an open invite for coffee. I’ll visit one day soon. On a side note, those grain elevators and nearby silos are full of Coors barley.
As always, thank you for looking. Stay healthy happy and well. G
8 thoughts on “Something Solitary, Lonely, Bygone, A Sunset, An Intersection, And Bountiful.”
I love pictures of times gone by especially when taken recently.
Me too! Thank you, June.
Once again you have incredible photos. Two chairs and horses – wow!
I’m always glad to know which you like. Thanks, Ron. G
Great photos and narrative as always. Have you ever photographed the big fall roundup near San Antonio Mountain? Lots of campaign tents, holding pens, etc. I drove past after hiking the Tony Marquez trail a few years ago.
Hi Gary. I was out that way last week but didn’t see the big round-up. I did see a few heads of cattle, probably stragglers, getting hauled off. The big round-up must be a sight to see. Thanks, Gary. G
Love the family of horses, so obvious with the beautiful black and white markings. It felt good to see them look so healthy and proud.
They looked very healthy at this time of year. I hope they’ve eaten enough for the winter. Thank you, Susan. G