The Tamesis
When imagining my ideal bachelorette, there are no belts, no tiaras, and no tiny phallic glasses. Of course, traveling alone is a modern pre-marriage ritual. But as a 35-year-old, I’m more looking for peace and quality girl time than getting drunk last night.
Since the wedding was in New York and having a lot of West Coast friends (I grew up in the Bay Area), I knew I wanted to host everyone somewhere in between our respective locations, which meant Europe, the East Coast, and the Caribbean were out of the question. As an avid hiker and camper, I also knew I wanted a celebration that would embrace the outdoors without being completely off the grid. (Let’s just say, some of my friends are more nature-loving than others.) Third, my circle of friends includes a mix of pregnant women and new moms, and I hope this is a respite for everyone, not just a party for me. A few destinations pop up frequently in bachelorette group chats: Miami, Nashville and Austin have earned their reputation as vacation destinations. But what about Taos, New Mexico? When I started imagining what my perfect trip would look like, it was definitely not on my radar…until a lucky Airbnb discovery sparked the beginning of the ultimate girl’s getaway.
Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe, who lived in the area for many years, I designed an itinerary that combined art, culture, nature and food. Although there was no drink service and no DJ, we did manage to get a hat tip from a handsome guy riding a donkey – if that’s not worth remembering, I don’t know what is.
This is exactly how I planned my somewhat unconventional solo trip.
Photography by Olga Nazarova
I discovered the massive Many Feathers Ranch through my friend Nicole, who manages the Fashion. Nestled in a canyon on the outskirts of Taos and owned by fashion designer Raquel Allegra, this hotel has a quiet, well-designed feel that quietly draws you in. A moody, candlelit dining room provided space for dinner for our girls, all dressed in comfortable linen suits.
We spent our time in luxury in the bedrooms, each with windows that cast dappled light from the aspens onto the plush beds. The cavernous plaster living room (complete with cozy fireplace) is the backdrop for trivia night. The icy creek winds along the five acres and serves as our personal swimming spot to beat the heat of the day.
