The Other Las Vegas

Took a day trip a couple weeks ago and it was great fun. Of course took along my pooch, Cadbury. It was about a two-hour drive from Taos, through Santa Fe, stopped quickly at the Indian School there to say hi to a friend, then east to Las Vegas (means the meadows). Established by a land grant in 1835, it became a major trading point on the Santa Fe Trail.

We spent most of the time walking around the old part of town, into the Old Plaza Hotel which has been restored and sits right on the grassy Plaza. Will have to go back there some day and stay-they only charge an extra 10.00 for dogs, yay! Left pooch in car (it was a cold day) and had lunch at a little Mexican spot on the Plaza. You know you've discovered gold when you go in and the place is packed. Moms and pops, young kids, big local dudes with scraggly hair and tattoes, love it! And the food was good.

Then we wandered down the street, peaking into antique shops and thrift shops. Found a cool little wooden guy for my dog figurine collection, and a big old basket for kindling by my fireplace. This was at Plaza Antiques, in an adobe Territorial style building from 1835. Only sad thing was seeing so many empty shops. But there were others, fun places to window shop, even a nice clothing boutique with great stuff. Didn't have time to tour around the streets looking at all the old houses here, next time. We went a different way home, just taking small country highways through the mountains. Had some Willie Nelson playing, sun shining, antelope gazing at us as we drove by. Passed a small country graveyard, Camposanto de las Golondrinas. A few mountain settlements, a few old adobe churches. Not much traffic. A perfect road trip day.