The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an 84-mile scenic drive in northern New Mexico. Taos, where we are staying, is on the southern part of the loop. It takes about 3 hours to drive, but the time is (of course) highly dependent upon the stops you make along the way.
Driving north from Taos on Rte 64, continuing on Rte 522 to Questa, then east on Rte 38, our first stop was at Eagle Rock Lake Day Use Area. Located in the Carson National Forest, it is a popular fishing, picnicking, and hiking area.
A recent project improved the area including the trails. One encircles the lake and another runs along the Red River that flows near the lake.
About 10 miles east on Rte 38 is the town of Red River. The town is a winter skiing/ snowboarding resort area. Ski lifts operate in the summer ($21/adult; $17/senior) with hiking trails available at the top. The elevation is 8,750’ here and ascends to 10,350’ (1.25 miles)…about a 30 minute ride each way.
Red River has the feeling of the Old West (which we love!) This is a place we will visit again. Website: www.redriver.org
As the day became overcast, the views of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains were still beautiful. We could see thunderstorms in the distance, although we only got a smattering of rain.
We did not stop in Elizabethtown (a gold mining town of the 1870s) but may return another day. When we got to Eagles Nest, we took Rte 64 east to check out the small Enchanted Circle Museum.
There was one large and a couple of other small rooms inside.
Large or small, we always enjoy learning about the local town history of the places we visit in museums! After spending some time at the museum, we retraced our route on 64 West. Eagle Nest Lake State Park features the lake (famous for fine trout and landlocked salmon fishing) and hiking trails. South of Eagle Nest is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park.
When we were in NM our first year of full-time RVing (2014), we had visited this park. It represents such an important time in our lives (John is a Vietnam vet), that we decided to stop again.
This Huey served with the 121stAssault Helicopter Company. Badly damaged in 1967, it was rebuilt and returned to a second tour of duty. It was returned to the US in 1976 and came to the Memorial in 1999, courtesy of the NM National Guard.
This sculpture, Dear Mom and Dad, is an interpretation of a soldier writing home to his parents describing his experiences in war. Created by Doug Scott (Taos artist), it was dedicated on Memorial Day, 2003.
On May 22, 1968, 1stLt. David Westphall was killed in an NVA ambush along with 16 other Marines near Con Thien in South Vietnam. Devastated (as so many families were at the deaths of loved ones during the Vietnam War), his parents (Victor [Doc] and Jeanne Westphall) decided to build a chapel to honor his death on a tract of land they had purchased in the 1960s. Their goal was to “build an enduring symbol of the tragedy and futility of war.” Construction began on the Vietnam Veterans Peace and Brotherhood Chapel in 1968. It was the first memorial in the country dedicated to Vietnam Veterans when it was dedicated on the 3rdanniversary of their son’s death, May, 1971.
For years, the chapel was the only structure on the property. In 1986, the Museum was completed. It includes hundreds of books and over 2,000 photos of KIAs in Vietnam. This exhibit of David Westphall and the other marines killed that day was so powerful. By each name is a rubbing of their name from the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC.
Miniatures of the two sculptures (The Three Soldiers and Vietnam Women’s Memorial) that stand near the National Vietnam Memorial are on display.
One room of the museum is dedicated to POWs. If you haven’t cried yet visiting this memorial, you will in this room.
“Doc” Westphall traveled to Con Thien, Vietnam, where his son was killed in 1968. He took a small amount of New Mexico soil to scatter at the site of the ambush in 1968. He brought Vietnamese soil from the site back and scattered it here at the Memorial.
Doc Westphall died in 2003 and was buried here with military honors. His wife, Jeanne, died several months later and is also buried here. Their son, David, was buried at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe in 1968.
Donated by veteran, Herman Olguin (Sgt US Army), in 2012, the Tranquility Fountain provides a sense of serenity with the surrounding gardens.
Building a memorial for Vietnam veterans was not popular when this one was dedicated in 1971 on the 3rdanniversary of Dav"""id Westphall’s death. But it is intended to honor not only Westphall and the marines that died with him, but all members of America’s armed forces. It became a state park in 2005 and is now managed by the NM Department of Veterans. Website: www.vietnamveteransmemorial.org
This memorial proved to be an impetus to build the National Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC (dedicated in 1982). Every Vietnam Vet should visit this memorial if they can. It is the warm welcome home you never received.
Our last stop on along the Enchanted Circle was Angel Fire, a popular ski area in the winter and other outdoor outdoor activities in the summer (golf, hiking, fishing, etc.)
There are various places to stay in Angel Fire, but we visited the resort (www.angelfireresort.com). We were looking for a replacement to the Angel Fire baseball cap John bought 5 years ago. But, he did not find one he liked at the resort gift shop this time (so he’ll continue to wear the raggedy one that he already has). Below are some snaps of the Lodge.
There many interesting stops along the way when you drive the Enchanted Circle! We really enjoyed our day exploring more of northern New Mexico. Go to www.enchantedcircle.org for additional information about the route.
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