LIFE ON THE ROAD: A FANTAZMAGORIA in Alamosa, Colorado.

Here in a remote area of Colorado called the San Luis Valley [Remember, click to enlarge]

I have had a fantazmagoria. I don’t think it is from one thing in particular, probably a cumulative process, but today, the 4^th of July, Independence Day, the 3^rd Anniversary of my new life on the road, I believe I have come across a variety of independence unknown to me before.

Rio Grande Bridge

Let me share my experiences since leaving Taos. The trip from Taos to Alamosa, CO was simply a highway fantasy. Lots of open space framed by massive mounts and zero truckers. As we traveled commercial Route 40 earlier in our trip, truckers were everywhere. There really was never even five minutes when one was not passing us or we passing them.

Rio Grande Gorge

The Rio Grande Gorge was incredible. It was like looking down into a mini Grand Canyon.

Rio Grande Bridge from Taos North

The bridge is a true work of art. No wonder it was awarded the most beautiful steel bridge in the long span category. Not long after the bridge, just outside of Taos city limits, some unusual structures began appearing scattered across the prairie.

Seems that the Greater World Earthship claimed its grassroots with the building of radically sustainable homes made with recycled materials. Electricity comes from the sun and wind, water from rain and snow, heating/cooling from sun and earth, food is grown inside and out. Building materials consist primarily of earth-filled tires, recycled cans and concrete.

Most homes are U-shaped for containment of energy. Each home is entirely self-sustained. Communities of this type are in Africa, Australia, Guatemala, New York, California, Pennsylvania, Arizona and New Mexico.

Our detour from the planned route to Colorado Springs (due to the Colorado fires) landed us in Alamosa, in the San Luis Valley, huddled between two huge mountain ranges, the San Juans and the Sangre de Cristos at an elevation of 7500 feet. Alamosa is small town Mexican USA, a lovely town along the Rio Grande (yes, they have a river walk, our favorite thing to do) with an abundance of parks, a historic downtown and a big feeling of family and values. The Old Folks home and the huge kid's playground share lovely green Cole Park.

Alamosa was a hub of the narrow gauge railway. Its trains now deliver entertainment and tours of the area.

The San Luis Valley is home to Great Sand Dunes National Park .....

and a little known town by the name of San Luis, which is not really a recognized town and cannot be found on the map, which is home to The Chapel of All Saints and the Stations of the Cross.

Great Sand Dunes National Park reminded me of Death Valley, a very favorite place, because of the openness, light colors and desert.

We walked enough dunes for a lifetime in Pismo Beach, but this was a different experience with the mass of them up against the huge mountains.

Today we went to the Chapel of All Saints and experienced the Stations of the Cross. Utterly remarkable and spiritually transformative. The chapel is in the desert up on a mesa in San Luis, the town that isn't a town.