D H Lawrence Ranch

May 8, 2009 Okay, this is not D H Lawrence's house, but couldn't resist the watchdogs...

D H and his spouse, Freida, occupied the house below. They spent only about 11 months within a 3 year period, 1923-1925, at the ranch.

Lawrence frequently entertained guests at the ranch. They stayed in tiny cabins like this:

Georgia O'Keefe, inspired by ample time sprawled on a bench under this tree, applied her impression of the grand evergreen in her painting.

Just steps away from the house: a view of the Rio Grande Valley and distant Taos Plateau.

A steep, switchback path leads to the shrine/chapel ...

... which allegedly contains Lawrence's ashes - mixed in with the altar cement. He died in France in 1930, but, apparently, Frieda (his ex-wife by then) had his remains shipped back to New Mexico.

The shrine/chapel is the only public building on the property, but the drive up the property was half the enjoyment - great views.

-P