Art, Culture and Wine – Dixon, NM
We may be way out in the boonies, but don’t let that fool you into thinking we’re turning into hillbillies. Despite our occasional romps in the wild, chasing squirrels (for pooch at least), and generally going “primitive” we nonetheless (and to our own surprise) manage to cultivate an artistic penchant. It’s the other side of our “out there” lifestyle, and we discovered it this week in the unassuming little notch of Dixon, NM.
But let me explain how we got there. The big city around here is Taos and it’s generally well-known as an artists haven and a tourist destination. We knew this coming in, and it turned out to be approximately correct. It’s a cute little spot with an older downtown, lots of galleries, a historic pueblo (Taos Pueblo) and some good eateries (our favorite was the paw-friendly Sushi a la Hattori), but it’s also a bit of a tourist trap and has that feel. So, we did our couple of hour tour and then sped off to discover the surrounding gems.
Enter stage left Dixon, NM. What originally caught our eye and drew us in like moths to light was the wineries. We love us some good wine tasting, and Dixon has several excellent specimens which are part of the New Mexico Wine Trail. Being the only customers we hung out chatting and tasting, getting rather jovial and of course meeting some locals.
Dixon, as it turns out is a hidden artists paradise. In this small town of only 1500 people nestled in the Embudo Valley hills there are at least working 50 artists as well as a local co-op, an espresso cafe, a hand-crafted brewery, a thrift store, musicians and even a theatre.
For the latter, it just so happens we were introduced to the local producer for Dixon Community Players leading of course to much theatre talk and revealing, as luck have it, that they were putting on a 100% locally produced musical “Holly’s Follies” that week-end. That sealed the deal and this obviously meant-to-be event was not to be missed. So, we snapped up the last 2 tickets and waited excitedly for the event.
And it totally rocked! This town has a true cornucopia of talent and we were entertained with a musical history of Broadway through tap-dancing, cabaret, opera singing, live band music and comedy all for $12 a head. We leave the area with several fine bottles of Port from La Chiripada, a few new friends and full of artistic inspiration. In fact the week-end spurred us to produce some RV art the crowning glory of which was “Cat in a Box”© (it was a collaborative effort). Taos may be the big city up here, but Dixon is the hidden gem. Whether you tour the galleries, take a pottery class or even learn some rock carving this is the spot to let your artistic side go wild.
Note/ The Dixon Players don’t have a website, but ask at the local library about productions. They put on a play every few months in season.
Hey guys. We are really enjoying your trip. A couple of questions. If you could change your rig for a smaller one, what size and model would you consider? Also, do you need the tow car or could you just rent cars as required?
Hi Deas,
So happy you’re enjoying the blog! I think if we were to go smaller we’d probably
target around 30-feet w/ slides, either a motorhome or a 5th wheel.
The slides make a huge difference to the interior space
(much more so than the length in our opinion). As far as the toad, I have
to admit we wouldn’t live without one. It gives us such a huge amount of
flexibility as far as seeing the surrounding area, going for local hikes,
grocery shopping etc. I’m sure it’s possible to travel without, but as
a fulltimer I couldn’t imagine it.
Nina
sounds like my kind of place…next year for sure….for now cincinnati….
DEFINITELY your kind of place. We were thinking of both
of you as we did our wine-tasting here!
Nina
Boy, you guys really know how to get our interest level on high! Besides loving good wines, we also love local theater, having both trod the boards in Butte, Montana’s Community Theater. I was also in high school theater, and Suzy was rehearsal accompaniest for her high school production of Brigadoon! In our recent travels we stayed an extra week in Decorah, Iowa, as their little theater was putting on Music Man, one of the productions we had been in while in Butte.
How fun!! We definitely have tastes and interests in common!
I do love community theatre and miss time there.
Something to come back to one of these days when we
settle down again!
Nina
As we are about to embark on our own adventures this fall, we are finding your stories very interesting, enjoyable, and very informative.
So happy you’re enjoying the blog! Glad to have you along for the ride!
Enjoy your new adventure!
Nina
As a wine loving theatre geek, this sounds like paradise! So love your posts! 🙂
A wine-loving theatre geek…love that line!! We are indeed!
Nina
I always thought that New Mexico in May and June would be marvelous. You have proven it so. I saw Taos in February, Sicorro that same February, spent four weeks at a soils training in Las Cruces in September, and Santa Fe just once in I can’t remember when, but always dreamed of going there right at this time of year. Am so enjoying your travels, thanks for taking us along so perfectly.
This is a lovely time to be here…at least the weather is holding up
just perfectly this year. I definitely recommend a spring visit!
Nina
Awww, the kitty in a box is beautiful art. Dixon sounds like a lovely place… wine + theater = yes, please!
Hehe…thank you! Having fun indeed!
Nina
The Dixon Community Players have a site now. http://www.dixonplayers.com
Still a work in progress, but they are getting ready for a new production on July 27th 2012!
Thanks for sharing that! We really enjoyed our evening with them and have recommended them to many others. Hope to see a play when we get back to the area in our travels.
Nina