The High Road to Taos, a drive into the Land of Enchantment

If you only stop into one museum in Santa Fe, make it the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Her influential modernistic renderings of everything from flowers and bones to city skylines and desert landscapes are iconic and well-known. She traveled a great deal, from Chicago and New York to West Texas and South Carolina and beyond, but she felt a special draw to Northern New Mexico, moving to the state after the death of her husband to paint the high desert in her simple but refined style. The museum has over a thousand works done by O'Keeffe, the largest collection of her art in the world (O'Keeffe had a prolific career, as she lived to be 98 and painted until she lost her eyesight shortly before her death). It's a great place to see how her works changed over the course of her lifetime, and to see what was inspiring her along the way.

After you leave Santa Fe, you'll make your way into the Sangre de Christos Mountains. Nambe Pueblo is the first settlement you'll encounter. The pueblo was established in the 13th century, and the plaza is a National Historic Landmark, so take the time to explore. The pueblo refers to the fact that the town is "a self-governing sovereign Indian Tribe duly recognized by the federal government; and in the exercise of its Tribal sovereignty, remains organized in accordance with Pueblo tradition", which is pretty special. The pueblo encompasses stunning Nambe Falls, if you're up for a short hike, and they've also traditionally been known for their pottery and weaving; both crafts are being revived.

The Pueblo Indians in this area near the Rio Grande are also known as the Tewa tribes. The Poeh Museum is dedicated to the art, history, and culture of the Tewa. It contains the tribal archives, a permanent collection of cultural objects and artifacts, historic photos, offers classes, and hosts an art program, all with the goal of preserving their culture, and educating others. The Smithsonian Museum recently returned pottery from its collections back to the Poeh Museum, so that's now on display as well. It's an in-depth and fascinating and personal look at a culture that's incredibly special.

Another beautifully preserved historic church is San Jose de Gracia, in Las Trampas. It was built in 1780 in the town's central plaza, so it's truly an example of Spanish colonial architecture. It was fully restored in the 1970s, and remains an active parish, but it's worth visiting the town and church.

Grapes actually grow pretty well in the high desert of New Mexico. La Chiripada Winery takes advantage of the conditions to make some pretty tasty vino. La Chiripada is New Mexico's oldest winery, and with 20 different kinds of wine, they definitely have something for everyone. Rieslings, ports, rhone-style reds, blushes, cabernets and more can be found on the tasting menu. Grab a bottle of the Primavera to go... locals love it because it pairs well with New Mexico's signature, spicy green chile sauce!

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge was built in the 1960s and remains one of the highest bridges in the country. It's won awards for being beautiful, and is even the bridge where Mickey and Mallory got married in Natural Born Killers. Take some time to walk across it and enjoy the scenery of the Rio Grande River and the canyon. You can also explore the gorge at the state park nearby, which has some nice hiking trails. It's a side trip that's well worth the time!