Farmhouses, cottonwood trees, and endless blue skies accompany us as we make our way down the dirt road leading to Plaza Blanca. Plaza Blanca is a white limestone canyon made famous by artist Georgia O’Keeffe, who named the area the “White Place” in her paintings.
Once out of the car, we make our descent down to the arroyo, where eroded volcanic rock formations of all types unfold in front of us. We stop at the specific spot that O’Keeffe painted, an experience that allows us to imagine her sitting right there in front of the rock, with all her art supplies in tow.
After exploring more of the area and hearing how this land was also used as a set for the movie “Cowboys and Aliens”, we head back up the trail to the car. The ride to Ghost Ranch is absolutely stunning, with the Rio Chama, red rocks, and Abiquiu Lake offering endless photographic opportunities along the way.
A large wooden awning that displays O’Keeffe’s classic ox skull logo welcomes visitors to the ranch. The uphill dirt road leads us to our first stop: a log cabin. This cabin was built as a set piece for the movie “City Slickers.” The cabin provides the best atmosphere to hear the story of the infamous Archuleta brothers, the original land owners who were one of the first recorded serial killing pairs of the American southwest.
Today, Ghost Ranch is a retreat center that offers workshops ranging from art and yoga to astronomy and wellness. The 20,000 acre property is home to Georgia O’Keeffe’s original casita and ranch house, a paleontology and anthropology museum, and various hikes, the most popular being Chimney Rock and Kitchen Mesa.
The Taste of O’Keeffe tour allows visitors to catch a glimpse into the area that O’Keeffe and so many artists since have drawn inspiration from and have come to love. It is perfect for art, history, and southwest lovers alike, who looking to experience more of what New Mexico has to offer.
