Returning to Taos
After nearly a decade, we returned to Taos – where the art scene, adobe architecture and mountain light still hit just right. Taos remains a vibrant mix of old and new. The historic Taos Plaza is surrounded by colorful art galleries, indie coffee shops and local breweries tucked inside centuries-old buildings.
We spent the afternoon wandering through the creative chaos. Weathered walls, handmade tiles, bright woven textiles hanging in open doors, each corner revealing something unexpected. Eventually, we landed at The Alley Cantina, the town’s oldest building turned bar and karaoke joint. A quirky local favorite and a must-visit, served with a side of off-key 90s ballads.
Just south in Ranchos de Taos, we fueled up at Mountain Monk Coffee, a tiny gem with great espresso, cozy vibes and the kind of patio that makes you forget about your to-do list for the day.
Into the Gorge: Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
Just outside Taos, the world opens up. Jagged mesas, high desert sage, ancient river valleys. We set up camp in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area, a raw and beautiful stretch of canyonland where the Rio Grande carves its way south near the village of Pilar.
Pilar’s barely there – maybe a pottery studio or two and what I think was a post office – but the views? Massive. Basalt cliffs glow in golden hour light, cottonwoods rustle along the water and that desert contrast is real: blazing heat by day, bone-cold shade by night. One evening it’s 80 degrees and the next morning we’re checking for frost inside our tent.
Photographing The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Ahhh – the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. An icon of the Southwest. Built in the 1960s, it spans over 1,200 feet across and drops more than 600 feet into the Rio Grande below. You can access it from the rest area on the west side, where local vendors sell silver jewelry, turquoise carving and handwoven rugs with stories woven into every thread.
Photographing the bridge is as rewarding as it is unpredictable. While this place looks like a dream, it doesn’t hand over great images easily. The environment is rugged. Winds are often too strong for aerial photography, so the drone never left the ground. The bridge swayed just enough to wreck long exposures. And of course, my camera body started acting up just as dusk arrived. Classic.
But then, as the sun dipped below the gorge, a massive full moon rose over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Soft lavender light. Gentle silence. One of those rare moments where all you can do is stand there and take it in.
I fired off a few frames of course, but some things don’t need to be captured to be remembered. Just one of the many reasons I love landscape photography in New Mexico. It humbles you. And when it clicks, it’s magic.
Detour Through Santa Fe
Heading southwest from Orilla Verde, we left the gorge with dust still on our boots, landing in Santa Fe on a whim. No plans. Just wandering again through one of our favorite cities.
We drifted through the Railyard District, wandered side streets filled with galleries and pop-up markets, then ducked into Desert Dogs Brewery for a pint and game of pool. Eventually finding ourselves at El Callejon, tucked just off the plaza, with low lights, good music and even better food.
That’s where the Lechón Torta came in – roast pork, green chile, pickled onions, crisp lettuce, all packed into a warm, toasted bun. One bite in and I knew this one made the highlight reel. Paired with their smoky Mezcalita, it was the exhale we didn’t know we needed.
The Santa Fe food scene deserves a trip in its own rite. Been there, done that. And we’ll certainly do it again. As a close to our week of high desert camping and photography in the high desert, this one really hit the spot.
Final Thoughts
New Mexico rarely goes the way one expects and that’s exactly why I love it. From the color and culture of Taos, to the rugged environment of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument to an impromptu night in Santa Fe, this trip reminded me to stay open, be ready and always bring extra batteries.
Whether you’re a photographer, road-tripper or just in it for the food, Northern New Mexico definitely has something for you. Light, time and space along with a sense of being that sticks with you long after you’ve packed up your gear.