Yesterday was... The First Day of Spring

Even though we do get the four seasons of the year in Northern New Mexico, they aren’t defined in a crystal clear fashion. Spring in Taos has seemed to become more and more muddled; the winter months have days with spring-like skies and temperatures, yet on the actual first day of Spring, we are usually stuck with leaf-less trees and brown ground...and it can still snow up to the end of April! But, all the natives know this and everything is still great. So...

Come visit us in Taos and the other Northern New Mexico towns and cities. It’s always a good time to be here! ~Jean

Taos: My Favorite Things (2 in a Series)

Enjoying the Wind Sculptures
It’s almost spring in the Land of Enchantment. And while this place may not hold the kind of magic that makes pigs fly, your lawn furniture just might. Depending on what part of the expansive Taos mesa you might live on, the winds can be pretty intense at times. And with the exception of mid-summer, there is almost always a good breeze on our part of the mesa.

So it’s not surprising that wind sculptures are very common here. On the way into (or out of) Taos there is a group of shops and galleries in the shadow of Taos Mountain, with a large group of wind sculptures sharing a meadow with some cattle. Often when I drive by there isn’t much activity, but this time of the year, the wind sculptures are usually singing along with the breezes. At times when the wind is strong enough, it can be quite a sight! I always look for them on my way back out of town, when I can have a better and longer look at them. Often in the spring, I am well rewarded with a big smile and a song in my heart. ~Aimee

Come visit Taos this spring!

May’s Not Really Spring

Sweet, warm breezes tickle the flowering trees, flowers are blooming... (insert sound effect of phonograph needle skipping across record here). Oh wait, this is spring in New Mexico!

There’s a famous quotation by Mark Twain, which I have heard attributed to New England, where he lived, and the midwest, where he lived; but in truth, it could probably apply to almost anywhere. It goes like this: “Don't like the weather? Wait a minute!”

Well, that’s certainly true of Northern New Mexico in the springtime, and while this year we already have trees in flower and we did have about six weeks of warm weather, we also had a snowstorm today... it was a downright blizzard outside. It was enough snow to stick. And enough for the dogs to enjoy their version of snow cones one more time.

Every spring we have some amount of warm weather, enough to lull me into believing that last snow storm won’t happen. I remember a few weeks ago remarking to someone that I was really confused this year because spring was acting like spring! That got a good laugh of course, because it is so true.

I have received emails from visitors to Taos Unlimited telling me they will be visiting in early May and asking if it is hot enough for shorts and T-shirts yet! I always get a chuckle out of that. I know they’re not expecting the answer I have no choice but to give them... “could be... and you’d better bring a warm coat and hat as well.” I always advise three seasons of clothing for early May visitors. Not really what they want to hear, but I imagine they thank me once they get here.

The great thing about a May snowstorm is that it can’t possibly last. The snow is usually gone in a day, and it almost seems like it might have been a dream. And we all know that 90 degree weather is most certainly just around the corner! ~Aimee

Spring Cleanup in Northern New Mexico

April is usually the time of year that you really begin to see signs of spring weather in Northern New Mexico. Even though we can still get snow before the month is out and sometimes the temperatures can remain quite chilly even into May, April is the month where people start to come outside and get into the annual cleanup of their properties.

The raking and removal of dead grasses, prepping open pastures for acequia watering in the months ahead, and general “spring cleaning” around homes and out buildings now becomes a common sight in and around Taos.

Roof repairs and other home improvements can be seen happening now... and don’t forget that it's time for traditional spring cleaning inside our homes, as well. The appearance of rakes, plows, brooms, hoses, and hammers all signal that spring is definitely on the way. ~Jean

Yesterday was... The First Day of Spring

Even though we do get the four seasons of the year in Northern New Mexico, they aren’t defined in a crystal clear fashion. Spring in Taos has seemed to become more and more muddled; the winter months have days with spring-like skies and temperatures, yet on the actual first day of Spring, we are usually stuck with leaf-less trees and brown ground...and it can still snow up to the end of April! But, all the natives know this and everything is still great. So...

Come visit us in Taos and the other Northern New Mexico towns and cities. It’s always a good time to be here! ~Jean