Montezuma Castle

BEWARE, there are a LOT of pictures in this entry. Now that I've warned you of that, prepare yourself, these photos are our tour of Montezuma's Castle, a beautiful old hotel nestled in the Sangre de Christo Mountains outside of Las Vegas, New Mexico.

We were fortunate enough to be able to visit the last time we were here in Las Vegas. That was when I took the shots posted here, but I never got around to posting them.

While sitting around looking for local events, Terry saw a notice in a small local paper that the Castle would be open this afternoon for tours. I got all excited, thinking this was my chance to get some great shots. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we found that the tour was cancelled, because they were filming at the location. Have I mentioned that they're filming a biography of Georgia O'Keeffe in this area? It will star two of my favorites, Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons. We're hoping they might be filming up at Ghost Ranch when we're there, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Anyhow, before I get into the particulars, I want to apologize. Some of the interior shots are pretty bad, but they're the best we got on the one day we were able to visit the Castle. As always, click to enlarge them, most (not all) look much better in a larger version.

Now for just a bit of history.

The original Montezuma's Castle was built in 1882 by the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe Railroad. With numerous hot springs located in the area, it was a perfect spot for cross country travelers to visit for a respite on their journey. It was also the first building in New Mexico to have those new fangled electric lights! The Hotel was a huge success till it burnt down in 1884. Since it had been such a success, it was immediately rebuilt, but burnt down again in 1885 but rebuilt AGAIN in 1886. When it reopened, it was renamed the Phoenix as it continued to rise from the ashes.

In its final incarnation it boasted 90,000 square feet, a bowling alley and a casino. Famous guests over the years included Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt and Jesse James. It was a going concern till the Hotel closed in 1903.

Since then, it's been used for many things including a stint with the YMCA, a Catholic Seminary and a Baptist college. It was then left empty for many years and suffered serious vandalism and generally fell into disrepair.

Then in the early 1980s, it came to the attention of Armand Hammer, who purchased the property to be used as a campus for the United World College. In 1997 it was placed on the list of America’s Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Finally, in 2001 the school spent $12 million to restore the Castle to its former glory, with stunning results.

So now on to my photo tour of Montezuma's Castle.

As you drive up the private lane that leads to the entrance you get this view

This plaque is located at the guards shack.
You must sign in here to enter the campus.

The entrance to the Castle

One of many shots I'm including,
just because I like the way this old beauty
looks in photos.

The Lobby.
Can't you imagine walking into this in the 1880s?

I'd like to apologize again
for most of these interior shots.
I didn't have my tripod
and the flash shots looked really bad.
Even though it's not very clear,
this beautiful old fireplace is a wonder

The top of the fireplace.
This fireplace is actually made from clay, not stone.
It's a beauty.

A full shot of the fireplace and the lobby

This is the reception desk.
Amazing woodwork,
warm with the patina that only old wood can show

Terry took these next two shots
Somehow he found this lovely spiral staircase.

I missed this completely
so I'm really glad he saw it and took these shots.

There are numerous tile fireplaces in the Castle

Another fireplace

This one was my favorite.
Enlarge it and you'll see that
even the tile in the firebox is unique.

An engraving of the hotel from the 1800s

Famed Glass Master Dale Chihuly
donated these chandeliers to the College.

While I greatly admire his work
I have to admit I don't really think
they fit in this venue.

Some of the windows in the dining room

One of the enclosed sun porches.

There are wide porches circling most of the Castle

Not only do the porches afford a spectacular view,
I love these photographs.

The shapes and angles
of this beautiful old building fascinate me.

I also like the mixture of textures,
wood and brick
and the organic trees

Also the way the light shines on the polished wood
It really is this beautiful

Another shot that shows the shapes and angles
of the Hotel

Then when you just think the angles are a bit much
they throw in a round turret.

I also like the way they've incorporated the ramps
Don't they look like they are part of the original design?

Another turret

The Castle seems to fit so well into her surroundings

A shot from the back of the Castle

As you explore the grounds,
you discover paved pathways
wandering in the forest

A parting shot

We took this shot of the Castle
from higher up in the Sangre de Christos.
It's the white building in the center,
I felt it would give you
a better perspective on the location.

If you're ever in the area and learn that the Castle is open for tours I recommend you go and see it for yourself.

It's quite remarkable, a tribute to a time past and now being used to help improve our future,

the Weavers and the Brides of Christ

Have I mentioned lately how lovely New Mexico is?

I recently went into Santa Fe for a Film Festival meeting. It's a little over an hours drive and the day was truly stupendous. The bright turquoise skies are so clear it seems you can see forever. Between Las Vegas and Santa Fe, the landscape changes about twenty times, making for an ever changing vista that always takes my breath away.

You might say I am besotted with New Mexico.

For the drive, I brought my ipod and looked through my playlists, trying to decide what would be perfect for this wonderful day.

I decided on the Weavers, a folk group from the 1940s through the 1960s. I haven't listened to them in a long time and once again, I was transformed.

Do you know who the Weavers are and have you ever heard them?

A cutting edge folk group, they started in the late 1940s. Comprised of
Ronnie Gilbert, Pete Seeger, Fred Hellerman and Lee Hays, they were true pioneers. Featuring tight harmonies anchored by the amazing voice of Ronnie Gilbert, I always forget the effect their music has on me.

If you've never heard their music, I suggest the Weavers at Carnegie Hall or any of their Reunion albums.

While everyone knows who Pete Seeger is (and rightly so) it is Ronnie Gilbert who always amazes me. She has one of those loud, clear voices that possesses such clarity while conveying so much passion! I really feel her voice is the glue of this group. She's had an amazing life as a performer and an activist, still occasionally performing in her 80s. Quite the woman.

Now, I'll change topics and tell you about a fascinating series I just watched on DVD. Called the Brides of Christ, it's a warm, thoughtful, provocative story about a group of nuns in a convent immediately prior to and after Vatican II. Sounds pretty dry, but this is a wonderful series, quality acting, full characterizations all set during a time of religious, political and social upheaval. It stars Brenda Fricker, Sandy Gore Josephine Byrnes and Lisa Hensley. Also in the cast are a pair of young performers named Naomi Watts and Russell Crowe.

I realize I'm not doing a great job of describing this production, but believe me, if you want fine drama with a heart and a conscience, give this one a look. I think you'll like it.

Just so you know, we are fine and

A Day Around Las Vegas

We've been in Las Vegas, New Mexico for a week or so and mostly it's been pretty chilly.

Then today, the sun came up and it was a balmy 75 degrees, heavenly!

I decided it was time to take some
photos of the campground.
While most of the trees have lost their leaves,
they still retain a majesty and beauty.

If you look hard,
there are just a few dried leaves hanging on.
I love their color against the turquoise
of the New Mexico sky.

Uh Oh! Dark clouds on the horizon!
Fortunately they blew right through
and the beautiful weather continued.

This line of trees stand like sentries.

This was actually taken a couple of nights ago.
Most of the sites here at Storrie Lake
have their own casitas.

It was such a beautiful day, we went into town to look around. The houses here in Las Vegas represent almost every style I've ever seen,

At one time, Las Vegas was the largest city between Kansas City and San Francisco. In its heyday, it was quite the town and remnants of its former glory are everywhere to be seen.

As we were driving around,
we saw a fence that was so striking, we had to stop.
Remember that you can click
on any image for a larger, more detailed version.

In looking over the fence,
I saw there were an array
of beautiful objects in the yard.
Not being one to shy away, I went to the front door
and asked if I could take more pictures.

A kind gentleman came to the door,
and I'm sure he thought I was quite insane.
I explained that we traveled in a motorhome
and that I kept a blog
of places we had been on our travels.

He seemed to think that was kind of interesting
and was kind enough to allow me to take pictures.
He also gave me permission
to post them here on the blog.

In talking with him, he told me that he and his partner
had created all the art pieces that decorate the yard.

This property was originally used to house the priests
from Our Lady of Sorrows,
the Catholic Church located nearby.
Our Lady of Sorrows
was first built in 1862 and was,
at the time, the largest stone building in New Mexico.

Aren't these free standing sculptures lovely?
I took so many pictures of them
because they appear different from every angle.

The setting of these pieces against the blue skies
and the autumnal trees truly fascinated me.

One more shot.

I took this shot so you could see
the stonework on the house.
I wish I had asked what kind of rock was used.

I included this shot because
I am enamored of these fences,
which are all over New Mexico.

This fence just added another layer of beauty
to this fabulous yard.

A shot of one of the gates, facing the street.

And one final picture of the yard.
The green of the ivy on the tree
added a whole new dimension.

After finally leaving this beautiful yard, we drove around a bit more.

Las Vegas has been the site of many film locations, including No Country For Old Men. Years ago, they shot the film Red Dawn in this area, with parts of downtown Las Vegas filling in for Calumet.

You might remember this sign,
which was used in the film.

As you can see, it was restored a few years ago.
It certainly spruces up the downtown area.

When we got back to the rig, after just a short time,
the sun started to set.
And what a sunset it was.

And there it goes. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Remember,