Abiquiú, New Mexico

Our latest trip found us heading Northwest out of Santa Fe, NM towards Durango, CO. After Santa Fe, there were only three stops I wanted to make. The rest of the trip was my husband's desire.

 One of the stops was to stop in Abiquiú, NM and visit the winter home of Georgia O'Keefe. As we sped by the house, my heart sank and I just said "one". And my husband, bless his heart, said "one what?"... And we drove on.

From Wikipedia:
Abiquiú, or Abiquiu^{[1] i}/ˈæbɨkjuː/ (Navajo Haʼagizh) is a small unincorporated town located in Rio Arriba County, in northern New Mexico in the southwestern United States, about 53 miles (85 km) north of Santa Fe. In the 1730s, it was the third largest settlement in the Spanish province of Nuevo México.^{[citation needed]} Artist Georgia O'Keeffe lived there from 1949 until shortly before her death in 1986 at 98 years of age.
Abiquiú is also the location where the opening shot of the 4th Indiana Jones movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was shot. As per the Production Timeline in the Extras section of the movie's Blu-ray Disc: "On June 16, 2007 even before the start of principal photography, the production's second unit crew was on location near Abiquiu, New Mexico, filming the traditional Indiana Jones opening shot of a "mountain" (in this case a prairie dog mound.)" Other notable films shot in Abiquiu are Cowboys & Aliens, City Slickers, Red Dawn, Wyatt Earp, The Last Outlaw,^[2] and the TV series Earth 2.

As we rounded the corner to Georgia O'Keefe's summer residence, I made a determined effort and said "Turn right HERE!" He did. And we got to see the beautiful country surrounding her "Ghost Ranch".

From Georgia O'Keefe museum:
Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986) was an important American Modernist who painted the stunning architectural and landscape configurations of northern New Mexico for more than 40 years, beginning in 1929.  She bought her house in Abiquiu in 1945, which is now owned by the Museum.

The 5,000-square-foot Spanish Colonial-era Abiquiu compound was in ruins in 1945, and for the next four years, O’Keeffe supervised its restoration, which was carried out by her friend, Maria Chabot.  She moved from New York to make New Mexico her permanent home in 1949, and lived either at the Abiquiu or Ghost Ranch houses until 1984, when she moved to Santa Fe.
I do recommend clicking the link on the "museum" and watching the video on her houses. Enthralling.

The scenery at Ghost Ranch was amazing. The first happenstance was this rustic outbuilding. Not really part of Ghost Ranch.. but very interesting indeed. There were 3 gentlemen there already. And you just couldn't help but overhear their riveting conversation. One seemed to genuinely be "in the know". He was telling about the cabin and the surrounding mountains as they pertained to the movie City Slickers. Of course now husband was interested, too.

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 This was Jack Palance's "home"...

 From the outside, it looks very authentic.

Open the door- wham! A movie set. The wood floor stopped about 3 feet from the door.

 The scenery was amazing. Breathtaking. I can see why Ms. O'Keefe took up residence here.

I am so intrigued with the strata layers. Seeing the color change is always so mesmerizing.

As we got closer to Ghost Ranch itself, you could see the lush trees full of growth. There is a stream that runs through the property.

Ghost Ranch is an interfaith education and retreat center of the Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.), located in a northern New Mexico landscape many deem sacred.

From O'Keefe museum:
O'Keeffe lived and worked at the Ghost Ranch house part of each year
beginning in the mid-1930s, and then purchased the house in 1940. Approximately 60 miles northwest of Santa Fe, the Ghost Ranch house is surrounded by the stunning landscape that inspired her art for more than 40 years.  She moved from New York to make New Mexico her permanent home in 1949, and lived at either Abiquiu or Ghost Ranch until 1984, when she
moved to Santa Fe, where she died two years later. Her Ghost Ranch home is now owned by the Museum.

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Can you believe that I got not one photo of the ranch? Exactly what I said!!!

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While I snagged the burro's bite photo, alas, there were none to be seen that day. I think one would be cute out back. Can't convince husband though..something about what goes in comes back out.

With God's majestic scenery provided for our pleasure, I was just overwhelmed. Just a feast for the eyes. If ever you find yourself with some time while in Santa Fe, do run up the road on highway 84 and go visit. Can't tell you about her house in town, but the ranch is wonderful.