The WTA ®

Publication for World TravelersWise of America Members Traveler Volume 146 March 2009 Taos, New Mexico—Where History and Fun Meet IN31540 (03/09) by Charlie Spence, Travel Writer and WTA Member There is a place where you can explore 1,000 years of history while enjoying a summer vacation with the most modern surroundings, or while taking respites from skiing on some of the most feather-like powder you won’t find elsewhere. Taos, New Mexico, is a place for all seasons. High in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos combines natural beauty and fascinating history with modern resorts and exciting adventures. It has more than 300 days of sun a year, and the high altitude makes for cool summers and fine winter sports snow. In 1540, Conquistador Hernando de Alvarado believed he had found the famed City of Gold, but it was the sun shining on the straw in the adobes of Taos Pueblo. Taos Pueblo has been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years. It is a sovereign nation within the United States and it was declared a national Taos Pueblo historic landmark in 1965. The multi-story adobe dwellings still have people living Photo credit: Ray Lutz in them today. About 150 people live in them full-time, while others who own the buildings in the Pueblo live in homes closer to their fields or in more modern houses. Two structures—Hlauuma (north building) and Hlaukwima (south building)—are considered the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. In all, there are more than 1,900 Taos Indians living on Taos Pueblo lands. The Pueblo is open daily, except when there are tribal rituals and for about ten weeks in late winter and early spring. Visitors are welcome to tour La Hacienda de los Martinez. You will find it much as it was in 1826, when Padre Antonio Jose Martinez began serving the parish and started the first newspaper west of the Mississippi. An offshoot of that newspaper is still published today. In the Hacienda’s period rooms, you will be transported back to life 200 years ago. Art has long been a vital part of this area, since the time Indians made carvings to the present. In 1898, two artists—Bert Phillips and Ernest Blumenschein—stopped in the area to have a wagon wheel fixed. They found it was such a fascinating area that they decided to stay. Since then, artists have migrated to the area. Museums display many fascinating pieces of their work. The Harwood Museum of Art is where you will see the works of some of Taos best-known artists of the past and present. The building was purchased by Burt and Elizabeth Harwood in 1916 and remodeled into a showplace for local artists, as well as historic 19th and 20th century Hispanic art. There are several other museums to visit. You can purchase one ticket at any museum and use at all five. There are 80 art galleries in the area, plus murals on downtown buildings which depict Taos history. Don Fernando de Taos Plaza is the heart of the Taos area. Spanish colonists built it more than 300 years ago. Today, the plaza is still the center of activity where you will find stores and shops that sell authentic native jewelry, weavings, pottery, drums, paintings and sculptures. You will find old mercantile stores with galleries, shops and restaurants and more along Kit Carson Road, and Bent and Ledoux Roads. Outdoor activities are varied. Mountain bikers will love the 27-mile South Boundary Trail. Take horseback journeys throughout the area. Maybe you and the family would enjoy llama tracking. Follow the West Rim Trail along nine miles of the scenic Rio Grand River. One of your side trips can be to see the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. It’s eight miles northwest of Taos, spans 650 feet above the river GA-037169 and offers enchanting views. You might enjoy boating, either gently floating down the Pilar Race course, or if you are more adventurous, shooting the class IV rapids. To challenge your golfing skills, there are two 18-hole champion-rated courses. Play a round in the sage brush at the Taos Country Club or at Angel Fire located high in the hills. Don’t feel up to walking 18 holes at this altitude? Then try the 9-hole El Valle Escondido course. Of course, hiking over the trails opens up surprising beauty with every step. If you plan your visit when the snow melts, plan to do some fly-fishing for rainbow trout as the small streams fill with cool, clear water. Taos is the center of a vast area, with beauty and history everywhere you look. It was known as the capital of the fur trade business in the Southwest when trapper and guide Kit Carson settled there. Visit his home, which is now a museum. Within walking distance from the Plaza is a 25-acre plot known as the Kit Carson Cemetery where his grave is located, as well as that of Padre Martinez. Also nearby is the Kit Carson National Forrest which covers 1.5 million acres. Its altitudes range from 6,000 feet to Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet, which is the highest peak in New Mexico. Many small villages surround Taos and each has its own unique style and attraction. If you are an artist, bring along your supplies or purchase them at one of the local stores. Your biggest problem will be what to draw or paint first. To retrieve specific contact information, please visit the Destinations section ofwww.worldtravelers.org. n Set Up Your WTA Online Account and Stay Informed WTA Online offers an exclusive Members Only section. To access, go to www.worldtravelers.org, click on “Join” and follow the prompts to set up your account. It’s quick and easy and your membership is still free. Set up your account today so you can continue to take advantage of your valuable member-only benefits. Some of these include hotel, auto rental, ski resort and movie discounts. Also, by setting up your WTA online account, you will automatically be signed up to receive Travel Talk®, WTA’s e-newsletter that keeps you informed of new member benefits, any benefit changes, and what is happening with WTA during the months that The WTA Wise Traveler® isn’t published. n FASCINATING PLACES MEMBER Test your knowledge about these fascinating places around the world. BENEFITS 1. The Netherlands is the lowest 6. England is roughly the size of what country on earth. How much of its other area? Are you missing out on valuable WTA member benefits? land is below sea level? a. Colombia a. All Following is just a snapshot of b. U.S. state of Louisiana member benefits available to b. 40 % c. Finland you. For a full listing, please c. 63% 7. What island do you cross on the visit www.worldtravelers.org. 2. About one-fourth of all the world’s bridge between San Francisco and forests are in what nation? Oakland, CA? • Travel Talk® E-Newsletter a. Congo a. Treasure Island b. Brazil b. Alcatraz • WTA Online Travel Booking c. Siberia c. Yerba Buena Service 3. Where will you drive across the 8. What is the most southern point in • WTA Travel Insurance world’s longest bridge? (24 miles) the United States? a. Lake Michigan: Manitowac, WI a. Key West, FL • WTA Travel Destination Info to Ludington, MI b. Brownsville, TX • WTA Travel Safety & Health b. Gulf of California: Baja c. South Point, HI Info California to Mexico mainland 9. Where is the town of Santa Claus? c. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway a. Iceland • WTA Travel Tips (New Orleans) b. Indiana • WTA MasterCard® Credit Card 4. Where is the world’s longest c. Greenland frontier? 10. Where will you see the oldest • Auto Rental Discounts a. Chile/Brazil continuously inhabited city in the • Lodging Discounts b. Russia/China world? c. United States/Canada a. Damascus • WTA Theme Park & Zoo 5. Where will you see the tallest b. Jerusalem Discounts building in the United States? c. Cairo • WTA RitzCamera.com a. New York City, NY Discounts b. Los Angeles, CA

c. Chicago, IL • WTA Group Auto Insurance Key to Answers: 1b, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c, 6b, 7c, 8c, 9b, 10a 9b, 8c, 7c, 6b, 5c, 4c, 3c, 2c, 1b, Answers: to Key • WTA Ski Resort Discounts RV Financing That’s Affordable • WTA Movie Discounts As a member of World Travelers of America, you have access to a highly competitive and reliable resource for your RV financing. WTA’s RV Finance Program, offered through a leading recreational vehicle finance company, is just what you’ve been GOOD NEWS WTA searching for, with rates as low as 6.99%. (At time of this printing.) MEMBERS! In addition to a low financing rate, check out these additional benefits: • Financing for new and used Class A, Class B, Class C, fifth wheels, and travel trailers from $50,000 to over $500,000 in value; • Loan amortizations from 15 to 20 years, depending on the age of the RV and the loan amount available; • Financing for up to 90% of the purchase price including options, tax, tags, insurance and the warranty on new RVs; • Competitive rates and exceptional service with quotes available online or by phone, typically within one business day; • A detailed understanding of the RV financing market; • Fast and simple processing with a one to two business day turnaround for Added benefits when you approval; upgrade your membership! • Refinancing of your current loan. To receive a free, no-obligation quote, simply visit www.worldtravelers.org/ Upgrade your WTA rv_financehome.asp or call toll-free 866-789-4511 to speak with a loan membership and receive a officer. n 3-day/2-night accommodations Travel Discounts Save You Money travel certificate to one of 20 Are you in need of a hotel room and/or rental car for an upcoming trip? Your WTA fabulous destinations. membership entitles you to discounts at a wide variety of hotels and car rental companies nationwide and even worldwide! Continue to enjoy your WTA To check rates at multiple properties or car rental companies at one time, use the member benefits by upgrading WTA Online Travel Booking Service at www.worldtravelers.org/travelservices.asp. for only $10 – almost 50% Discounts are also available at Days Inn (800-268-2195), Howard Johnson savings off the regular (800-769-0939), Knights Inn (800-682-1071), Ramada (800-462-8035), Travelodge membership fee. (800-545-5545) and Wingate Inn (877-202-8814). To make a reservation at any of these properties, call the appropriate toll-free number and give WTA discount code Upgrading is easy: Go to #60093. www.worldtravelers.org/ Discounts are also directly available at Avis (800-331-1212, ID B853102), startupgrade.asp and follow Budget (800-455-2848, ID Y194902), Enterprise (800-593-0505, ID 07A1001) and the prompts. Hertz (800-654-2200, ID 1294401), or access online at www.worldtravelers.org. n