South Boundary

Solid long weekend living out of our van!

We left Thursday after work and headed to Oil Well Flats, making our usual stop at Florence Brewing.

On Friday I got in a good hour run before we headed south towards Taos.  Took the scenic way, passing by Bishop Castle and driving through Colorado City before dropping by Cold Beer, New Mexico.

While at Cold Beer we were chatting with another van lifer and he filled us in on the brewery scene between CB and Taos.  We stopped at Blu Dragonfly in Cimarron, Comanche Creek Brewing in Eagle Nest, and Enchanted Circle in Angel Fire.  Good times!

Saturday was the ride.  40 miles from Angel Fire to Taos.  I didn't think I would have any issues with a 40 mile ride but this route handed me my ass.  The climbing over the first 18 or so miles took a lot out of me, and then the second half descent was a lot more technical than I was expecting and it crushed me.  Finished in 5:33, which isn't a disaster, but as I said it was a lot harder than I was planning on.  I could do better though, and if I go back next year the goal will be to go sub five.

Relive 'South Boundary'

After some post ride brews, we headed out to our campsite.  Took some time at the Rio Grande Gorge bridge first.       

We also checked out the earthship place.  Pretty cool stuff there.

We parked the van at a place called Hotel Luna Mystica.  The joint has a bunch of renovated airstreams available to rent, plus they have a ton of open space to pitch a tent or park a van.  Oh yeah, they are also less than 100 feet from the Taos Mesa Brewing mothership!  Needless to say a good time was had Saturday night.

Up and early Sunday for a nice, easy dog hike before breakfast at the Taos Diner, then it was off to check out the Sand Dunes.  The Dunes are one of the very few dog friendly national parks, and we had a great hike with the pup through the still flowing river at the base of the Dunes.  Then it was off to Alamosa for dinner at San Luis Valley Brewing, followed by desert at Square Peg.

After Alamosa we went back east and got our campsite at Zapata Falls.  Another good hike up to the water and then we retired to the van due to a storm coming in.

On Monday I did a good hour run on the steep stuff above Zapata Falls, and we started the trek home.  Dropping by Soulcraft to break up the drive.  The dog was done.

Awesome trip capping off an awesome week.  The numbers for the week:

run - 30 miles
ride - 87 miles
hike - 16 miles
Two trips to CityRock