Page 209 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

NOR THERN NE W MEXIC O  207

Georgia O’Keeffe
One of the 20th century’s foremost artists, Georgia O’Keeffe
(1887–1986) managed to achieve both critical and popular
acclaim for her paintings, which, either as studies of single
blooms or sun-washed landscapes of the
Southwest, are universally loved. Wisconsin-
born and raised, she studied art in Chicago
and New York but fell in love with the light
of New Mexico when her friend and patron,
Mabel Dodge Luhan, invited her to her home
in the area. O’Keeffe bought an old adobe
in Abiquiu and there created the abstract
paintings that brought the beauty of New
Mexico to national attention.
The adobe-and-timber façade of the
Santuario de Chimayó
Artist Georgia O’Keeffe
8 Chimayó
Road map E3. * 3,200. n (505)
351-9961. Church open: 9am–5pm became a place of healing Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (505)
daily (to 6pm May–Sep).  pilgrimage. The chapel contains 946-1000 (see p198). The country
∑ elsantuariodechimayo.us a beautiful reredos surrounding around Abiquiu, with its red rocks,
the crucifix and a tiny side-room mesas, and corrugated slopes, is
This village lies 25 miles (40 km) with a pit of “the holy dirt,” which now known as O’Keeffe Country
north of Santa Fe on the eastern visitors are allowed to take away. because it inspired so many of
flanks of the Rio Grande valley. Chimayó is also known for its her abstract landscape paintings.
Chimayó was settled by Spanish woven blankets and rugs, which A few miles north of town, the
colonists in the 1700s on the site have been produced by the fascinating Ghost Ranch, a retreat
of an Indian pueblo famous for Ortega family for generations. established and now run by
having a healing natural spring. Their workshop is just off the Presbyterians, features two small
The site of the spring is now junction with Hwy 76, while but fascinating museums, which
occupied by the Santuario de farther along, Cordova and highlight local archaeology and
Chimayó, built by a local Truchas villages are also known palaeontology. Several hiking
landowner in 1813–16 after he for their fine craftwork. trails also start from the ranch.
experienced a vision telling him
to dig the foundations in earth E Ghost Ranch
blessed with healing powers. 9 Abiquiu HC77, Box 11, Abiquiu. Tel (575) 685-
While digging here he found a Road map E3. * 500. 1000. Open Museums: 9am–5pm
cross that once belonged to two Mon–Sat, 1–5pm Sun. &
martyred priests, and the church This small adobe village with its ∑ ghostranch.org
sunlit dusty streets was the home
of the Southwest’s most famous
artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, from 1946 0 Chama
until her death in 1986. Her village Road map E2. * 1,000. n 2372
home and studio can be toured Hwy 17, (575) 756-2306; (800) 477-
only by reservation, and 0149. ∑ chamavalley.com
bookings need to be
made in advance Founded during the 1880s silver-
with the mining boom, Chama’s high-
lights today include the
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic
Railroad. This narrow-gauge
steam train makes a spectacular
64-mile (103-km) daily trip over
the Cumbres Pass and through
the Toltec Gorge into Colorado,
with views of the San Juan and
Sangre de Cristo mountains.
} Cumbres and Toltec Railroad
Hwy 17. Tel (575) 756-2151; 1 (888)
286-2737. Open late May–mid-Oct:
7:30am–6pm daily. & 7
Dramatic red rock landscape near Abiquiu ∑ cumbrestoltec.com

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