2010 Taos Gorge-ous Chrome Glidden Tour

Tour Applications now available;  Click HERE for an application.

The 2010 Chrome Glidden Tour will be on August 8-13 in beautiful Taos, New Mexico.  This tour is designed for original and restored cars built from 1934 to 1985.  If you have a car outside of this range, it will also be admitted on a space available basis. The entrant must be a member of the VMCCA.

Taos is in the high country surrounding the Sangre de Christo mountains in northern New Mexico.  Expect cool weather and outstanding mountain roads on this tour.

The host hotel is the historic Sagebrush Inn. at 1508 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur in Taos, call (800).428-3626.  This fine adobe hotel and convention center has been a hub for all types of gatherings in Taos since the 1930's.  It features southwestern art in every room and regular live country western music in its lounges and restaurants.  Rooms have been blocked at rates from $79 to $129, depending on room size and amenities.  This hotel is pet friendly and includes a cooked to order breakfast for all our  guests.  We also have available adjacent to the property a Comfort Suites and Quality Inn hotel at similar rates.  Mention the 2010 Chrome Glidden Tour to obtain discounted rates.  RV Parks:  There are two RV parks right near the Sagebrush Inn:  Taos Valley RV Park and Taos RV Park.  Reserve Early:  Taos is a resort destination and rooms can be scarce  in the summer.

The 2010 Chrome Glidden has five driving tours planned.  All tours will include delicious coffee and Coke breaks at various points of interest along tour routes.  The tentative itinerary is as follows:

Sunday August 8:  Registration 2:00 - 5:00 PM at the Sagebrush.  Opening buffet at the Sagebrush convention building, 6:30PM

Monday August 9:  Philmont Boy Scout Ranch near Cimarron, NM.  Enjoy a drive through The Carson National Forest ending with cafeteria lunch at the ranch.  Scouts will host tours of the elegant Villa Philmonte mansion built by Waite Phillips in the late 1920's.  Return trip will include a stop at the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial overlooking the peaceful Moreno Valley.

Tuesday August 10: High Road from Taos to Chimayo, NM.  The High Road features many scenic New Mexico ranching towns and lush forests.  Chimayo is home to great New Mexican food, weaving, and the Santuario de Chimayo.  The Santuario, sometimes called the Lourdes of New Mexico, is known for miraculous healings.  This day will conclude with our own Car Show on the Plaza in downtown Taos. Optional VMCCA Gold level award judging will take place at the plaza car show..  Enjoy ice cream, great food, shopping and tire-kicking with the locals in Taos.

Wednesday August 11:  Drive south along the Rio Grande to downtown Santa Fe, visiting the Shidoni Sculpture garden along the way.  Once in Santa Fe, tourists will enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the Santa Fe Plaza.  Highlights include the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, the State Legislature Building, and many interesting shops and restaurants.

Thursday, August 12:  Los Alamos, home to the Manhattan Project and Los Alamos National Laboratories.  See the Bradbury Science Museum, enjoy a group picnic lunch, and visit cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument.

Friday, August 13:  Enchanted Circle Tour:  This tour starts with a coffee break overlooking the Rio Grande Gorge.  This break, hosted by the Taos Car Club includes complimentary bungee jumping into the gorge, 750 feet below the bridge.  Try it, you'll like it!  The rest of the Enchanted Circle includes the tourist towns of Red River, Eagle's Nest, and Angle Fire.  We will try to get you back to the Sagebrush early  for the closing banquet at 6:30 PM.

Bring your jacket, sunscreen,  Chrome Glidden car and enthusiasm with you.  You will enjoy escaping the summer heat while discovering this enchanted corner of New Mexico.

Directions to Taos:  Taos is in northern New Mexico at the intersection of NM 68 and US 64.  Taos is about 140 miles from Albuquerque.  From Albuquerque, take I-25 North to exit 276 near Santa Fe.  Take the Santa Fe bypass NM 599 North to US 285 N.  Proceed on north US 285 to Espanola.  Continue straight in Espanola onto NM 68 N.  You will drive along the Rio Grande on NM 68 into Taos, the Sagebrush Inn is on the southern outskirts of Taos on your left.

From Denver, take I-25 South to US 64 at Exit 446 just South of Raton, NM.   Proceed west on US64 through Cimarron and Angle Fire NM.  Turn left on NM 68 in downtown Taos, you'll find the Sagebrush Inn on the southern outskirts of Taos on your right.  It is 320 miles from Denver to Taos.

Applications will be available in early February, 2010, you can download them from this website.  If you need any more information, please call or e-mail our Tour Director, Bill Sullivan, (505) 265-8113. The Tour Registrar is George Vaughan, (505) 249-5538