Rio Chama, New Mexico

6x8 oil on cotton canvas panel
$75(email if interested)
I was told this scenic drive along the Chama River in northwestern New Mexico was worth the trip. Having very sketchy directions in hand, I set out to find this dirt road. Posted at the turn off was "Private Property for the next 3 miles". So I thought I had the wrong road, I continued on. After another 5 miles I decided that was the turn off so I doubled back. For the first 10 miles, I was a little nervous being alone and traveling an unfamilair road. Finally another car passed me coming from the opposite direction. I relaxed a little and begin to enjoy the scenery. At some points the winding road was very steep and narrow. A car actually had to pull over and stop for a passing car. I believe I only met two cars during the whole trip. I was surrounded by sandstone canyons with willows, cottonwoods and Ponderosa pines along the rivers edge. It was breathtaking. At the end of this 13 mile road is the Christ in the Desert Monastery. Their solitude and quiet is assured being surrounded by the Santa Fe National Forest.