10/27/2022: Abiquiu

A red-letter day yesterday. We went to Abiquiu to tour Georgia O’Keefe’s home and studio. Reservations are 3-4 months out, so I had purchased the tickets back in June.

4Fords in the morning. Brrr….

It was a gloomy and cold morning when we left 4Fords, but by Tierra Amarilla (T.A. to locals), the sun was out and it was a perfect day. An hour south, near Ghost Ranch, we stopped for a hike on the CDT at Martinez Canyon, hopping across the Rio Chama and traipsing through huge golden oaks and cottonwoods.

Approach to the 31,000 acre Ghost Ranch

Dropping down off the red cliffs of Ghost Ranch into the Rio Chama valley, we were suddenly back in the height of fall colors. The valley was covered for miles in cottonwoods and willows in yellows and golds.

Rio Chama Valley approaching Abiquiu (courtesy of Fine Art America)

Once in Abiquiu, we parked the truck in a shady spot so the dogs would be comfy, and joined the tour. Only 6 people go at a time, along with a guide; this time, a local artist named Frank (below, in Georgia’s courtyard). The place is exactly as it was when Georgia left at age 94, to move to Santa Fe due to worsening health. She always meant to return, but died at age 96 in Santa Fe.

Frank in the courtyard
The pantry I covet
The studio, just as Georgia left it. the bed was for her caretaker.
A look into the living room Initially, Georgia filled the house with color, but later moved to all grays and whites, partly because of her worsening macular degeneration, partly as a nod to Japanese aesthetic and her desire to focus more on the colors in her art.

The tour was inspiring and a wonderful slice of history. If you don’t know much of her life, or are interested in her relationship with NYC and Ghost Ranch, I strongly recommend the book “Ghost Ranch” by Leslie Poling-Kenpes.

After the tour, we took another hike in Abiquiu, through some meadows and more cottonwoods. Then, we finished up with a wonderful late lunch at the old and famed Abiquiu Inn.

behind Abiquiu Inn

All-in-all, a wonderful day, one where I fell even more in love with New Mexico, and did what Alan and I do best: take time off to have fun.

7 thoughts on “10/27/2022: Abiquiu”

  5. Hi Rusty!

    John and I so enjoy reading about your adventures. I can’t remember if we told you about my colleagues, Sara Schneckloth and Erik Doxstader, who have property near Regina, NM. They spend the summers there and are slowly adding small buildings, with the intention of living there year-round at some point. Would it be OK with you if I shared your blog with them? I think they would find it really interesting and inspiring.

    Hope you two are well. Sure looks like it! Mary

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