Oct.13 Friday another beautiful sunny day. Today we do the town of Taos. It has many old adobe buildings that now are shops and galleries that were once homes of some of Taos leading citizens. We luck out and get a personal tour of the Couse home (1839) by the original desendence. Couse’s granddaughter Verginia, Couse Leairt and her husband. E.I. Corse was the founder of Taos art colony and the first president of the Taos society of artist. The house is still complete with original studio and furnishings. He is famous for painting native models. One native started at age 10 and worked with him until Course died in 1936. Their son Kebbey built the prototype for a mobile machine shop in the garage which was also opened for viewing. There was also a chapel ,the oldest structure on the complex (1835). This was the original painting studio with larger windows installed. A centaury old bank vault sat in the back corner. It was used as a secure storeroom when not in residence .There was evidence of the local Penitentes self-flagellation rituals carried out in the chapel. It was a very enjoyable tour. Next we visit the Kit Carson House a single story adobe home. He was the famous Mountain Man. The house contained furnished period rooms, Mt. man relics and guns. We are off to the Main Plaza next 1615. Again influential adode buildings now mostly art galleries and gift shops. We have lunch at Doc Martins another old hacienda now the Taos Inn. He was the first doctor in Taos. Next off to La Hacienda De Los Martinez 1804 . This place had 21 rooms and 2 courtyards. It was an example of the late Spanish adobe home. The house had typical adobe mud floors made with mud boiled linseed oil ox blood and ash. This made a hard non-dusting floor. Only the grand salon had hand adzed wood floors especially made for Flamingo dance parties.