Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Around the block

Around The Block. 10-15-2025

Hello from New Mexico. The phrase “around the block” evokes more than just a simple jaunt; it symbolizes the day-long road trips we often embark upon, journeys that weave through the tapestry of landscapes and experiences, ultimately guiding us back to our point of origin. These excursions, though they may seem circular in nature, are rich with discovery and reflection. As we traverse winding roads and pass through quaint towns and sprawling vistas, we gather fragments of the world that resonate within us. Each sight and sound becomes a thread in the intricate fabric of our memories, reminding us of the home that resides within our hearts. No matter how far we wander, these journeys reaffirm the notion that home is not merely a destination, but a feeling we carry with us, a constant companion on the road of life.

Life, a photo trek around the block.

This “around the block” encompasses a few years of select images taken in October.

Photographing Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM
Looking for the reflection.

Milkweed pods. The seeds have all flown…

Milkweed pod
Milkweed Pod.
Rio Grande fall color
Rio Grande fall color.
Fall color starting to look a lot like xmas
Fall color, beginning to look a lot like Xmas.

There has been a lot of lightning this year. This morning we had sheet lightning, thunder, and hail. A lot of it.

Lightning, Arroyo Hondo
Lightning, Arroyo Hondo, NM.

In the heart of mid-October 2007, we were graced with a scene that looked to have been painted by the hand of a local artist (photographer), capturing the essence of autumn in all its glory. The trees were ablaze with hues of crimson and gold, their leaves dancing in the crisp breeze like nature’s confetti. The mountains and town looked splendid, dressed in the first snowfall that year. In stark contrast, this year has offered us nothing of the sort… nada! I’m looking forward to any snow we get, we need the moisture.

Snowfall in mid October-2007
Snowfall and fall color.

And the first snowfall October 2011. Incidentally also available as a print.

Early snow, Taos
Early snowfall on a street in Taos.

As always. Thanks for looking. I hope you have a great week. Enjoy your trip around the block. G

Photo Treks around the block
Photo Treks

Raton, New Mexico. Around the Block. 08-31-22

Raton, New Mexico, is a two-hour drive from home in San Cristobal. Every time I visit Raton, which isn’t often but often enough for me to become familiar with the town and neighbors, I always find something to photograph. There’s always something that delights me each time.

Raton New Mexico
Welcome to Raton, New Mexico.

Marchiondo’s Store, City Market, Texan Motel.

Click on an image to enlarge.

In its heyday, Raton was a happening place.

Every motel had a cafe, making it a one-stop for travelers. Some of the motels have an enclosed garage with each room. Popular on a lot of cross country routes.
Which motel to choose? Breakfast, lunch, and dinner ‘in our cafe’ no less, as opposed to in your room.

The Colt Motel.

Dog and pony show at the Colt Motel.

Schwede’s Saloon, Raton, NM It says on the board “B E SAFE”, followed by “GODB LESS” and a phone number.

The Servomation van has been parked for several years in a downtown alleyway. I enjoyed the bricked-in patterns in the wall.

Then around a corner on a side street, five pots and two downspouts with a solitary cloud.

Wall and sidewalk

Architecture details on walls and sidewalks.

American flag and a bicycle through the blistered reflective window covering.

“Smile”. I didn’t see any cameras around the back of this building but it did make me smile!

Spirit figures in the plywood paneling on the boarded up Texan Motel. With all the stories these empty buildings can tell, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were more than just these impressions floatining around beyond the panels.

With all the boarded up buildings whoever has the plywood concession in this town must be doing well for themselves.

The town maintains a mighty dignity through it’s years of economic drought, and as the sign in the window says…

Send more tourists.

After a fun day walking around different areas in town it was time to make the drive home.

We had to make a stop in Cold Beer, NM on US 64, formerly known as the Colfax Tavern …

Cold Beer, NM

… for a cold beer and some portrait making in the natural window light.

Good friend and all round good bloke, R. David Marks.

I hope you enjoyed a trip around the block. As always, thank you for looking. G

San Antonio Mountain, Taos Plateau, Volcanic Field, Storm

San Antonio Mountain, Taos Plateau, Volcanic Field, Storm. Going back a couple of weeks to my drive around the big, two hundred and fifty mile block, I ended the day feasting my eyes and training my lens on this sight. Thanks for looking. G

San Antonio Mountain, Taos Plateau, Volcanic Field, Storm.

Blue Door, Garcia, Colorado

Blue Door, Garcia, Colorado. What the road passes. A day trip around the block in southern Colorado. On this trip we made a big figure eight through the San Luis Valley. We stopped in Costilla and Garcia to photograph some of the abandoned homesteads. Directly over my shoulder, an abandoned Conoco gas station, formally owned by Mr. Cordova beckoned us. Marco pulled over. His dog, who was getting it’s exercise running behind the car, stopped and visited too! Marco told us that, when he was eight years old, he would trade Mr. Cordova a handful of pennies for a handful of bubble gum! I love my job and the people I meet. Join me for what is fast becoming the most popular of my photography tour/workshops. From spectacular scenery to subtle scenes like this one. I hope to see you out this way soon. Thanks for looking. G

Blue Door, Garcia, Colorado