Tour of J Paul Taylor Home in Historic Mesilla, NM

Leslie Christiansen, Donna Esposito and Pat Faur
ready for lunch at this historic place complete with
talking parrot. Apparently, he's been there many years.

Bonnie Newhoff, Laurie-Sue Retts, Cathy Martin, and
Mary Parker in the downtown square

After a delicious lunch at La Posta we visited the beautiful historic home of J. Paul Taylor in downtown Mesilla. So many treasures, quilts, artifacts, memorabilia from such a distinquished New Mexico family.

Cathy Martin, Zona Lorig, Mary Parker,
Bonnie Newhoff and Laurie-Sue Retts
admire the intricate hand stitched quilts
and numerous religious artifacts on the walls.

More information at http://www.ftfm-mesilla-nm.org/
Opening unto Mesilla's historic plaza is the entrance to a rambling adobe house that embodies over 150 years of life in the Borderland.  Since 1953 this special place has been the home of J. Paul and Mary Daniels Taylor and their family. Through the generosity of the Taylor family, their home and two adjoining storefronts are now a New Mexico State Monument. The monument provides an exceptional setting for visitors to understand and appreciate the history, culture, and architecture of Mesilla and the Borderland.

White Sands Photos from Susie Brinegar

Leslie Christiansen, Laurie-Sue Retts,
Bonnie Newhoff, Nancy Evans,
Dianne Linthicum

Delores Tomasek feeling free!

Laurie-Sue Retts, Nancy Evans,
Dianne Linthicum, Delores
Tomasek, Carolyn Mendoza

Susie Brinegar left her camera at the top
before she rolled down this enormous hill!

Lindy Isacksen and Linda Fritsch
relaxing in the breathtaking view

Capturing the vastness of the White Sands National Monument, Susie Brinegar's pictures show how joyous we felt surrounded by all this beauty.

New Mexico White Sands Group Photo

Windblown but smiling, we gathered for a group picture of the Historical League tour at the White Sands National Monument. (It was hard to get the entire group together - we are missing 6 ladies in this picture).

White Sands National Monument - more pictures

Ruth McLeod and Julie Moore climbing
to the top fighting the wind.

Karen Overton climbs back up after she ran down the entire hill!

Hard not to take pictures of this fascinating place!

Cathy Martin from Socorro, NM finds lots of sand
in her pants. Cathy was a guest and good friend of
Ruth McLeod from Michigan Technological University.

Fearless Susie Brinegar still smiling after
she rolled down the entire hill!

White Sands National Monument on NM tour

Soft white sand is cool as we climb
to the top of a ridge

Shoes left behind as we
hike the sand dunes

Definitely a highlight of the trip to NM was this AMAZING monument. The mineral gypsum is rarely found as sand because it is soluble in water. Water with the gypsum is trapped in the Tularosa Basin. The water evaporates on the playa floor causing gypsum to be deposited in crystalline form as selenite. These crystals eventually break down to sand-size particles creating this vast sea of pure white sand.

Note the blowing sand in the background.
The dunes are constantly shifting.

View from the bottom after an exhilarating
time rolling down the dune. Note Linda Fritsch on
far right ready to slide down.

White sand as far as the eye can see

Photo opportunities abound

New Mexico tour was AMAZING

Tour chairs Lindy Isacksen
and Linda Fritsch organized
a fabulous trip!

Elizabeth Metzger is ready for take off.

From our flights to bus rides to museums to lunches to hotel in New Mexico, Linda Fritsch and Lindy Isacksen outdid themselves on this Historical League tour! More pictures will be posted daily.  Stay tuned . . .

Our flight brought us to
El Paso, then onto a
waiting bus to head north

Ready to roll on the bus

Historic home with built-in Chapel

 This fabulous 1929 estate features a chapel on the second floor that was used for weddings. Having the Historical League Spring Party on the grounds was a special time especially since we received personal tours of the home.