Most of you are very familiar with the High Road at this point but I doubt that many of you are aware of the Low Road. What you may not understand, even about the High Road, is that it is the old highway that connects Santa Fe and Taos, dotted with beautiful little Spanish land grant villages along the way. The Low Road is the NEW highway that connects Santa Fe and Taos. It runs along the Rio Grand River, up the valley and it, too, offers lovely, artful Spanish land grant villages nestled in amongst its curves. In fact many people drive the High Road in one direction and the Low Road in the other, making a kind of loop through the mountains and the valley. A great day trip.
The other day Anna and I headed down a rustic back road that runs out of Ojo Sarco, one village up from Truchas, to go visit a few places in Dixon, one of the larger villages on the Low Road. Like Truchas, Dixon has a thriving artist’s community and we hope to go back for its open studio tour in the fall.
On this day we went to Zuly’s Cafe for lunch (#234 Hwy 75, Dixon, 505-579-4001). We’d been hearing about it and really wanted to try it out. Our food was excellent. Anna had enchiladas and I had a green chili chicken burger and fries. We even went back on our way out of town for root beer floats—a treat not to be missed if you go to Zuly’s yourselves. Their summer hours are Tuesday-Thursday 8AM-3PM, Friday 8AM-8PM, Saturday 9AM-8PM, closed Sunday and Monday.
Next we headed to La Chiripada Winery and Vineyards, northern New Mexico’s oldest winery, a small family owned operation (505-579-4437 or 800-528-7801). They planted their first vines in 1977 and built the winery in 1981. That same year they harvested and produced their first commercial vintage. They grow, on site, approximately half of the 60 tons of fruit they crush each year. The other half comes from the Mimbres Valley in southern New Mexico. They use minimum processing and no chemicals. And they have a tasting bar where they are happy to offer samplings of any of their award winning wines. I ended up buying a nice 2008 Dolcetto.
They also show the work of potter, Ellen Schechner-Johnson. She makes truly unique pieces that use a process of multi-layering to achieve a kind of ancient beauty.
I recommend that any of you traveling in the area stop in for a visit. They are open 7 days a week, Monday-Saturday 11AM-5PM, Sunday Noon-6PM.
We ended our day at the Dixon Cooperative Market (#215 Hwy 75, www.dixonmarket.com). The co-op is a grocery business owned by several hundred community members. Much local produce and fresh eggs are sold there and the money spent at the market stays right in Dixon. Open 10AM-7PM Monday-Friday and 10AM-5PM Saturday and Sunday. There is also a Dixon Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 in the Elementary School parking lot.
I was hoping to connect with someone from the Dixon Community Players while we were down there. They are a local theater group that puts on performances at their own theater in Dixon, The ToolShed (www.dixonplayers.com). They’ve previously produced Spitfire Grill, The Fantasticks, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Holly’s Follies: A Tribute to Broadway. I’ve heard wonderful things about them and they certainly deserve our support. They’re opening their first play of the season, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, this Friday, July 27th. It runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend and also August 3,4 and 5. Performances are at 7:30 Friday and Saturday and at 2PM on Sundays. Tickets are $12 ($10 for students and seniors). In the Fall they’ll be putting on their second annual musical review, Holly’s Follies, featuring the music of George Gershwin. Tickets are available online at www.dixonplayers.com or call 505-579-9102 for reservations. Here’s an article about The Dixon Community Players:
Love to you all,
Jeane
Who could be lonely and bored riding along with you on high-road-artist? It feels like you are the mountaintop bard of the history, artistry, and creativity of the spiritual villages of northern New Mexico! Especially Truchas! And your photography captures beyond expectation. The final photo of the vegetables made me want a fresh green bean! And the tiny rainbow peeking from the sunset was just another daily treat, like fresh bread from the oven! Perfectly done!
Thanks dear. You MAY be a bit biased 🙂 but I’m so happy you’re enjoying the posts.