Taos - American Southwest - page 222

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Kit Carson Home & Museum If you want a glimpse into the modest lifestyle of
Taos's frontiersmen, head to this 3-room adobe home, a block east of the plaza. Built in
1825 and purchased in 1843 by Carson—the famous mountain man, Indian agent, and
scout—it was a wedding gift for his young bride, Josefa Jaramillo. It remained their home
for 25 years, until both died (exactly a month apart) in 1868. Rooms have sparse dis-
plays, such as buffalo hide and sheepskin bedding, a wooden chest, basic kitchen utensils,
and a cooking fireplace. The museum also includes a film on Carson produced by the
History Channel. The price of a visit here is a bit steep for what you see, but if you decide
to come, plan on spending about a half-hour. If you'd like to see more of Carson's pos-
sessions, visit the Martinez Hacienda (see above).
113 Kit Carson Rd. & 575/758-4613. www.kitcarsonhome.com. Admission $5 adult, $4 seniors 65 years
and older, $3 teens 13-18, $2 children 6-12. Daily 9am-6pm.

Kit Carson Park and Cemetery Major community events are held in the park in
summer. The cemetery, established in 1847, contains the graves of Carson, his wife,
Governor Charles Bent, the Don Antonio Martinez family, Mabel Dodge Luhan, and
many other noted historical figures and artists. Their lives are described briefly on
plaques.
Paseo del Pueblo Norte. & 575/758-8234. Free admission. Daily 24 hr.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Kids This impressive bridge, west of the Taos airport,
spans the Southwest's greatest river. At 650 feet above the canyon floor, it's one of
America's highest bridges. If you can withstand the vertigo, it's interesting to come more
than once, at different times of day, to observe the way the changing light plays tricks
with the colors of the cliff walls. A curious aside: The wedding scene in the movie Natu-
ral Born Killers was filmed here.
US 64, 10 miles west of Taos. Free admission. Daily 24 hr.
ORGANIZED TOURS
An excellent opportunity to explore the historic downtown area of Taos is offered by Taos
Historic Walking Tours ( & 575/758-4020 ). Tours cost $12 and take 1 1 / 2 to 2 hours,
leaving from the Kit Carson Cemetery at 10am Monday to Saturday (June-Aug). Closed
Sundays and holidays. Call to make an appointment during the off season.
If you'd really like a taste of Taos history and drama, call Enchantment Dreams Walk-
ing Tours ( & 575/776-2562 ). Roberta Courtney Meyers, a theater artist, dramatist,
and composer, will guide you through Taos's history while performing a number of char-
acters, such as Georgia O'Keeffe and Kit Carson. Walking tours cost $25 per person.

8

6 SKIING TAOS

DOWNHILL SKIING
Five alpine resorts are within an hour's drive of Taos; all offer complete facilities, includ-
ing equipment rentals. Although exact opening and closing dates vary according to snow
conditions, the season usually begins around Thanksgiving and continues into early
April.
Ski clothing can be purchased, and ski equipment can be rented or bought, from
several Taos outlets. Among them are Cottam's Ski & Outdoor Shops, with four
locations (call & 800/322-8267 or 575/758-2822 for the one nearest you;