The Autumn Leaves, uh, and Eating Mexican Food
Posted by Pete | Posted in News | Posted on 24-10-2012
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Monday we took a tour of the Jimez Mountains to see the leaf colors in the mountains. Dang, we were about a week late. There were a few aspen that still had the brightly colored yellow leaves, but most of them had already lost their leaves. Had we gone on this tour around the 15th of October I think we would have seen the Aspens in all their glory. Still, it was a nice trip. We took Hwy 550 up to Cuba, then Hwy 126 up into the Jimez Mt’s. Came back south and hooked up with Hwy 4 back into San Ysidro. Let me warn you that Hwy 126 becomes a gravel road after 12 miles are so, winding and some rub board areas. We met one big truck, but luckily it was in one of the wider spots in the curvy road. Campers use this road every day in the spring and summer. Winter, not so much. Go when you have plenty of time and try not to rush on that road.
We stopped and had a nice meal at El Bruno’s Mexican Food Restaurant in Cuba. Very good food. Some of the best, crispiest and lightest homemade chips I had ever had. The salsa was very good as well. A little pricey, but very good food. They now have a place here in Albuquerque on 4th Street. The owner reported it is doing very well. Good to hear and we will have to try it out in the near future…..Pete
I just finished tracing your trip on a Google map. Neat trip! I never went as far as the Cuba Mesa and the Jemez Indian Reservation on 550, but I use to travel NM 4 from San Ysidro up to the Jemez State Monument, Jemez Springs, Jemez Pueblo, the Bandelier National Monument, and Las Alamos, then 251/252 to Santa Fe and back to Albuquerque. I remember Jemez Springs as a nice place for a July 4th picnic with my girlfriend. On July 4th, it tended to be very crowded, however. It was a long way to go for a picnic, but it was worth it. Walking through the canyon and climbing up the cliffs to the Indian ruins at Bandelier was worth it too just imagining the way it was when the Indians were there a long time ago. I realize that the Bandelier Canyon was devestated by the fire that almost ravished Las Alamos a couple of years ago. I’m sure the area has changed. It brought back fond memories of my beetle drive with my girlfriend one July 4th and playing with the fish at the NM State Fish Hatchery along the way. Tracing your route and re-tracing the route that I use to take brought back great memories of a time long ago when I was young, wild, and free anxious to shed myself of my military obligation to Uncle Sam and to get on with my life. One day, to my regret, I woke up from my enchanted state and went on forward with my life.
That is a nice trip. We came within sight of the latest burn area from last years fire but most of that area north of hwy 4 was spared.
Pueblo of JemezIn this sovereign tribal community, an hour northwest of Albuquerque, it’s all about the horno. Outside the Walatowa Visitor Center, residents set up stalls around adobe wood-burning beehive ovens and bake traditional bread. You’ll want to try it slathered with green chiles. 7413 Hwy. 4, Jemez Pueblo, 575/834-7235, jemezpueblo.org , loaf of horno bread $5.
We went through Walatowa but did not notice the horno or those baking bread. Next time we will look more closely. Thanks for the info. Pete