The Rim Road and Valle Valdez
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As it continues, the main road toward the ski area eventually makes a hard right, and the so-called “rim road” heads to the left. It runs the length of a canyon edge, overlooking Valle Valdez below, where tidy farm plots are set along Rio Hondo and the traditional acequia irrigation model that has been used here for more than four centuries. In typical modern real-estate distribution, the not-so-well-off native Taoseños value their fertile soil, while wealthy arrivistes (Julia Roberts, most famously) have claimed the swoon-inducing views on the rim road, which was developed only in the later part of the 20th century. On the north side of the valley, the ritzy Turley Mill development is built on the site of a still that produced the powerful bootleg hooch known as “Taos lightning” from the 1700s to 1847. It’s now home to Donald Rumsfeld and other occupants of million-dollar casitas.
© Zora O'Neill from Moon Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque, 2nd edition
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.