ontheroadagain's Profile
Taos, NM
Taos, #1 tip: Eat early, real early. Have your relaxation AFTER dinner. Many places stop serving food very early; you can get drinks pretty late. (that tip is dated about 7-8 years, may have changed.).
There is a great place (ski food and GREAT breakfast chili) up at the mountain, it's called "Tim's Stray Dog" (fun place), on April 1st or last day of season? They do a Crawfish boil that is not to be missed (hotter than hell though, painfully so).
If you are a decent skier, you must hike/ski "The Ridge" above the lifts: It is so very worth it (very steep, but wide open easy, above tree-line terrain. What a view!
There is a fantastic, though expensive place about 6-9 miles south of Taos (NOT the ski village, Taos itself). Can't remember the name (The "Stakeout" maybe), but it is on the east side of the road to Santa Fe, on the bajada (so is the road) just below the hills - the place is a beautiful pueblo (all by itself and hard to find, there was only a tiny sign) that looks out to the west over the Rio Grande valley: This is not to be missed, if it is still open/there (ask in town they all know the place): the food was amazing, the atmsphr was priceless. There was a place in the center of town that had butter/honey whipped bread spread on soft roles that was one of the best things (simple but terrific) that I have ever tasted.
Go see the Rio Grande gorge just NW of Taos: Worth a peak, a 10 minute side trip/diversion on the way back down from the Mntn to Taos. The Taos pueblo is pretty neat too. Earthship has a community near the Gorge (a few miles west of the gorge ?). There is also horse back riding in Kit Carson Nat'l Forest (we went to "Vallecitos Stables" for a day off the slopes).
Don't know ABQ well but, "The Owl" is famous for it's old Americana diner atmosphere, chili burgers, huge beers, and shakes (no great culinary experience, just Americana, but fun for that). The original Owl (south of ABQ, near Los Alamos/White Sands) is the one that "the bomb" builders went to during that scary time. They have a Porsche Club night where you can see some nice cars. The VLA (of "Contact" fame) is about 2-3 hours south of ABQ on RT 60 south and west through Socorro (great brew pub and fantastic Pizza place there, can't remember name, but only one).
Hope this helps
