El Rito, NM – Just South of Abiquiu

We often explore during our extended stays in campgrounds and this day was El Rito day!  Patti heard there was a Community College in El Rito, NM. so we set out to find it…

El Rito, NM, lies just a few miles down the road, south and a bit east of Abiquiu.  Arriving on a dirt road, we come into an area filled with adobe structures (very well cared for) under trees that cooled the desert heat off the well sculpted adobe walls.  Northern New Mexico Community College rises out of the trees.  As we explored the grounds,  we couldn’t tell whether or not the College was operating or not.  We were told that students used to come from all around the area to learn skills in adobe, wood trades, fiber arts, plumbing, cosmetology, mechanics, etc. but now most of the classes are taught in Espanola, NM further south.  Woodworking is the only class taught on the premises and not very often, as we learned.  The campus entry had two fountains that were made out of native stone and encircled with rock walls creating a basin for the fountain (I only wish I had seen them ‘fountaining’…), two ornos, an Admin. building, class rooms, student center and more – all beautifully crafted in adobe-style architecture.  It is a shame this campus is no longer productive or useful. Ever wonder how ‘ghost-towns’ are formed?

Even though there are no classes being taught now, the grounds were wonderfully trim and well cared for, clean as a whistle.  It was very inviting so we had our picnic on one of the tables. Listening closely, I thought I heard by-gone students; now silenced by time and the a-lure of bigger and better cities (jobs).

Just behind the Admin building was an old adobe brick building with no roof, but the walls were somewhat intact.  The door in the front of the structure stood tall and at attention, while the window reflects the sky and high-lighting the trees out the open panes.

Our continuing adventure along the dirt road led us down a lovely shaded street with immense ancient cottonwoods; among the structures were 2 very old churches, lots of neat well maintained homes, a bar, general store, and a restaurant, not to mention a few ghost buildings- most of the buildings were rustic adobe or log structures with flowers growing everywhere.

We wandered into the tiny restaurant, El Farolito, and ordered ‘home-made’ blueberry/rhubarb pie – a la mode.  We got the last piece, thankfully!  It was delicious.  If we get back this way before we ‘wheels-up’, we’ll try the lunch menu.

Just up the street was a Ranger Station for the Carson National Forest.  On our way out of town, we inquired about camping in El Rito campground.  We drove around the camping area which is right along the river (little more than a creek at this time of year).  There were storm-worn red rocks just across the river, deeply carved by weather and time.    The campsites were filled with lots of cottonwoods for shade, and primitive camp areas. Not sure if we will camp here, probably not.

Turning Gypsy west, we headed toward the sun and back to Abiquiu.