ODD FELLOWS
Manby Hot Springs
These two sand bottom and rock pools located near the ruins of an old stagecoach stop on the east bank of the Río Grande are named for a ruthless, land-grabbing swindler named Arthur Manby. The British immigrant’s shady business dealings beginning in the late 1880s are still widely held to be the motive behind his “mysterious” death in 1929. One of his unrealized visions was to create gardens and a grand hotel for tourists on the Indian land that became known as the Manby Hot Springs. To get there, head north of Taos to the town of Arroyo Hondo; from State Highway 522 North at mile 5.3 turn west onto County Road B007. Go about 2.5 miles and turn left onto another dirt road just before B007 makes a hard turn to the right. This stretch of road to the Manby Hot Springs parking lot needs to be taken slowly and is best negotiated with a high-clearance vehicle. Continue past the Dobson House sign and take the next left fork. Continue staying to your right until you reach the large parking lots for the Manby Hot Springs. At the left side of the parking area, take the dirt and rock path to the river, about a 15-20 minute walk.
Hotel La Fonda de Taos
One of the earliest hotels in town, Hotel La Fonda de Taos on Taos Plaza, unexpectedly houses a collection of “Forbidden Art” paintings by author D.H. Lawrence. A former owner of the hotel and fan of Lawrence named Saki Karavas acquired the collection from the second husband of Lawrence’s widow, Frieda, after her death in 1956. Karavas displayed the paintings in his office along with countless other paintings and photos. One could pay a dollar or two to view them. Today, representations of the “Forbidden Art Collection” hang in their own gallery in the historic La Fonda.
D.H. Lawrence Ranch
Speaking of Lawrence, after he died in France in 1930 of tuberculosis, his widow, Frieda, had his body cremated. The ashes were returned to the
New Mexico ranch and mixed with the mortar used to build his memorial chapel on the property.