Taos, NM

Dennis Weaver starred in the TV series McCloud in the 70s.  The far-fetched scenario cast him as a current-day, small town, western sheriff, on semi-permanent duty in NYC.  He hailed from Taos, NM - a place I'd never heard of back then.  I wondered at the time if Taos was a real place.  Tomorrow, I find out: my pardner and I are gonna saddle up the bronc, mosey on into town, saunter around a spell, have a sarsaparilla at the saloon, get some vittles.  I'll get back to you on the 'real place' question.

A current TV series involving another small town western sheriff also has a Taos connection.  The A and E series, Longmire, is being filmed in various NM locations, including Taos - although 'set' in WY.  NM is a popular spot for film-making due to mild climate and tax incentives.  Dozens of films have been shot in Taos, Santa Fe, Querky and environs, filmed there but not 'set' there.

Taos is a Native American name.  The Taos Pueblo, near the town of Taos, is the northernmost of 19 Pueblos in NM, and is one of the official Indian Nations.  The Pueblo is the same vintage as the Acoma Pueblo and they share the title of 'oldest continuously occupied community in the USA.'

'Continuously occupied' means somebody is there all the time, all day, all night, every day, every night.  Right?   For many years now, traditional rituals have been conducted at the old pueblos, but the natives live elsewhere, in homes with plumbing and electricity.  Many pueblos are open to tourists in the daytime, and the natives set up their arts and crafts tables when there are tourists about.  So, it's likely there's someone there every day.

But, is there anyone in the pueblo at night?   Do they keep someone on site all the time so they can legitimately lay claim to the title?  Maybe guards are posted at night.  Maybe families take turns doing overnights at the pueblo.  Maybe the tribal elders punish miscreants by sentencing them to pueblo-sitter duty: 'Guilty as charged!  90 days in the Pueblo!'  Maybe nobody gives a shit if it's occupied 24/7.  Maybe it's time to go mix a drink.