VILLANUEVA, EL CERRITO, & SAN MIGUEL DEL VADO / 2022

THIS TOUR IS FILLED TO CAPACITY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL.

This tour combines three unique experiences along the Pecos River. We first visit one of the most historically important churches in New Mexico, San Miguel del Vado. NMSU anthropologist Kelly Jenks gives a short talk regarding this land-grant town on the Santa Fe Trail, followed by a walking tour to nearby historic sites. 

We then visit one of New Mexico’s largely undiscovered treasures: the colcha embroidery panels at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Villanueva. The interior walls of the church are lined with forty-one panels—265 feet—of crewel embroidery on homespun cotton. Mellie Gonzales, who leads the tours at the church, provides insights and explanations as we walk the church to view the panels. 

After a picnic lunch at La Gruta—a shrine above the Pecos valley—we drive in caravan to visit Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados in the completely charming, secluded village of El Cerrito. Transportation is by self-drive caravan (in your own car). Please bring your lunch.