Get Out with Goorin: New Mexico, USA
Author: Sarah Orrico
Bring Your Goorin With You
Packing for our five day trip traveling around New Mexico, USA meant being selective about which hats were going to make the cut. My husband Sean went with Willie R and a couple truckers, and I surprisingly kept it to Sundowner, and an old dad cap from Goorin 2018.
Sean went with Willie R because the brown color is unique in that it picks up variations of browns and olives depending on what outfit you pair it with. His go-to shirts are pearl snap patterned button-downs from Wrangler, so the Willie R was easily adaptable. I chose Sundowner mainly because of the stampede strap. I knew we were going horseback riding and a stampede strap is 100% necessary. I also trust the durability of palm straw for travel. I was able to clip it to the outside of my carry-on duffel and not worry about it getting cracked or smashed like I would if it was toquilla. Also, the color of Sundowner just matches everything and being that the brim is 3.5", I knew I would actually have sun coverage on my shoulders, which was a game-changer in the direct sun of New Mexico.
Abiquiú, NM ---About 53 miles north of Santa Fe, with an elevation of 6,080.
Visit: Ghost Ranch, "... a 21,000-acre retreat and education center located close to the village of Abiquiú in Rio Arriba County in north central New Mexico, United States. It was the home and studio of Georgia O'Keeffe, as well as the subject of many of her paintings." We've been wanting to see Ghost Ranch for awhile now, heck, we even painted our kitchen the color Ghost Ranch from paint company Backdrop. The landscape out there is so vast, and with the various levels of sea-level over the years, erosion, and archeology digs, the colors and textures are out of this world. We decided to book the Landscape Trail Ride on horseback. They even showed us a book of O'Keefe's paintings and pointed out which landscapes we would be seeing along the trail. It was such an immersive way to experience her art, and her life.
Eat + Drink: Cafe Sierra Negra, a roadside cafe with the best shrimp tacos I've ever had. Plus, a refreshing post-horseback Italian lemonade. Heck yes. We were recommended to stop here on our drive from Ghost Ranch back down to Santa Fe and it did not disappoint. Some of the most fresh food we've eaten!
Santa Fe, NM --
Stay: El Rey Court, "...down old route 66, an iconic adobe roadside motor court originally built in 1936. Re-imagined + renovated, El Rey provides an inspiring 86 room oasis for the modern traveler. Set on five acres of sprawling old growth gardens, El Rey is a laid back come-as-you-are type of place where everyone is a friend." Staying at El Rey was the highlight of our trip, especially with the Swim Club before and after check-in. Indulged in the wood-fire pizza pop up in good company with mezcal/sodas from the on property bar, La Reina.
Visit: O'Keefe Museum, a small but mighty gallery featuring some of O'Keefe's paintings, drawings, and photographs of her. Betterday Vintage, connected to a coffee shop where we ate breakfast, this vintage shop had a gorgeous collection of really cool pieces.
Eat + Drink: La Choza, sister restaurant to The Shed, "with award winning red and green chile, a local favorite for delicious traditional food of the Southwest since 1983."
Taos, NM --
Stay: Airbnb - That Trailer, a 1957 camper hosted by Amy complete with a pet potbelly pig named Maxine who lives on the property. The yellow trailer is decked out in midcentury interiors and decor. Beautiful 360 degree mountain views made this the perfect stay for us. The sunset was incredible and once it was dark and a little windy, we went inside with a cool breeze and played Yahtzee.
Visit: People of The Valley, a curated little boutique filled with artist made goods, and vintage clothing pieces. I picked up a pair of cream RRL Japanese selvedge denim and couldn't be more pleased.
Eat + Drink: The Alley Cantina, the oldest building in Taos built in the 16th century. We stopped here in the afternoon for a house margarita and 'the works': queso, salsa, and guacamole. It was perfectly tucked away from the busy plaza, shaded by trees with the sun peeking through. For dinner once back at the trailer, we grabbed cheese, fruit and snacks from Cid's Food Market, and natural wines from The Cellar next door.
Which hats are you bringing with you for your next adventure? See where else our hats have traveled to.
