Day Three: The Govenor is Dead, However the Food is Good

Day Three: Date line Taos, New Mexico 3/12 /2012 Today was our free day, and I slept until eleven o’clock. I decided again to avoid the places we have been told are the best. Plus tomorrow before we depart Taos we will be eating there. There being Michaels Kitchen. So I went to a dive, called Bent Street Deli. I chose lox and bagels, and it was just the start I needed, and since I had a few hours to kill I decided to see the Governor Bent house. Bent was from Taos and was elected governor of New Mexico. Since I am a bit tired I will give you the short version of his demise. Shortly after his election to office he decided to return home to Taos, to prepare the family for winter. History would show that winter had come early, and instead of a one and a half day trip home from Santa Fe, it took him three. Meanwhile back in Taos, the local sheriff had arrested and jailed some quite popular Indian citizens. When Bent crossed the county line he was met by a group of Indians who demanded the governor pardon them and release them all. Bent held his ground that night, and the following morning when he went to leave his home, he was met by the Taos war party. When Bent refused them again the violence began. The first shot took out the sheriff, who was posted on the roof of the jail. Soon thereafter the governor took a hit in the chest, the gun misfired and Bent was not seriously injured, however when he turned to reenter his house he was shot in the back as well as taking two arrows in the back. His family, including his sister whom was married to Kit Carson, tried to escape thru the back of the house, but never made it. Bent was dragged back into the front yard and scalped with a bowstring. Enough of the bad news for now, the rest of the after noon was filled with a scenic ride thru the high plains. This was filled with seeing more wild sheep as well as mule deer. It also included a viewing of the movie City Slickers, which was filmed at out next stop, Ghost Ranch. One thing that strikes me as we travel is the stark contrast between the east coast and the west. In City Slickers, the opening delivers the lives of the characters as stressed to the max, overworked and with serious family issues. And the west is portrayed as that place you can go to unload the burdens that have been unfairly it seems laid upon the shoulders of the men in the film. And wouldn’t you know it, the west with its big sky, wide open spaces and cowboys is the perfect remedy for healing. More on the movie tomorrow, but before I go I wanted to mention the great meal we had at Stella’s Italian Restaurant. And yes friend and family, in Taos, New Mexico, the Governor is dead but the food is good. Untill I return from my wanderings.