Springtime in Taos, Part II

Springtime in Taos is a lot like winter in most places, except maybe harsher. People are full of stories about it:

“Oh yeah, you’ll be out working in short sleeves and then suddenly there’ll be snow and lightning and then the rest of the day you’re in full-on winter gear.”

“Well, last year this road was actually under water, and you were basically hydroplaning through the low spots, but the other road was pretty much a lake and so this was the only way to get home.”

“Springtime is the most evil season out here. Seriously, pure evil.”

And truly, Mama Nature did not disappoint. We had snow flurries, frozen winds, tumbleweed migrations galore… and a freak blizzard that dumped more than a foot of snow overnight.

But if you like winter sports, this snow can not be beat. Dry and fluffy, smooth as butter, the Taos snow is some of the most beautiful I’ve seen. Which is why the Taos Ski Valley is a world-class resort.

The Earthship crew is undeniably tuff: they worked through the snow, only heading indoors in the worst conditions. I guess, when the weather’s always iffy, you can’t take days off for weather; you might never get a full day’s work in. And anyway, Earthships are so efficient that they’re always warm enough inside— even the Euro, which still had open skylights and windows during the blizzard.

After a month of climatic tantrums, we interns thanked the crew for an incredible experience by hosting a snowman-building contest (which they’ll probably never forgive us for); the winners earned this lovely certificate. I’m sure it’ll be treasured always, as will the fond memories they gave us: playing Wii all night and drinking beer in our chones, and building the sorts of houses that might just change the world.