The high road to Taos from Santa Fe is absolutely gorgeous and a must if you visit. There are many weavers along the way but I didn't get to stop as we were running late. We did manage to see the star attraction of the route, El Santuario de Chimayo, also called "The Lourdes of America."
In 1810 a Penitente was performing his penances and saw a light coming from a hill. He went over and started digging and found the cross of Our Lord of Esquipulas. Reports of miraculous healings took place there and between 1814 and 1816 the Santuario was built featuring the cross Don Bernardo Abeyta found. There's a sandpit in the sacristy with healing dirt and many crutches and canes that were left behind. Every year at Lent many pilgrims walk to the Santuario (some from very far away) and the grounds outside are full of rock crosses, shrines, and handmade twig crosses everywhere.
The Santuario is quite small and primitive inside but well loved. There are a few grave sites in the front courtyard for previous caretakers of the little church over the last 200 years.
