Our first few days in Santa Fe were hot, very hot. Temperatures were reaching 100 degrees. We just stayed inside the motorhome and kept cool. After about our 4th day a cool weather front came through, brought rain showers and lowered the temperatures to a more normal 89-93 degrees. Finally we can get out and about without feeling the heat. First stop: a favorite of ours, the center square in Santa Fe. Only a couple of pictures here since we've been here before.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Strolling along, this cat sculpture with a knot in it's tale got my attention..
and so did this lone sunflower.
We took a day trip to Ojo Caliente to soak in their hot springs. It was a cloudy day so the temperatures were mild.
A drive to Taos means a visit to the "made-famous-in-painting by artist Georgia O'Keeffe" church
Rancheos de Taos
and a wonderful meal at the Ranchos Plaza Grill in it's historic adobe building.
We enjoyed another Santa Fe-favorite
Back Road Pizza.
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| Green chile chicken pizza and they are still winning awards since we were here in 2015. |
and found some new favorites like the roof-top Coyote Cafe and Cantina.
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| We were recommended this establishment for their green chile cheesburgers.. |
Another day trip northward to Antonito, Colorado (a cool 7700 feet) where we found scenic landscapes....
and a parade of collected, restored train track repair cars called Rail Speeders.
Antonito, Co is a depot for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Train Excursion.
We just happened to catch the parade when we stopped by the train depot researching ticket information.
North of Taos, we stumbled upon these unique homes called Earthship Biotecture. We took the quick tour at their Visitor Center (which is a functioning Earthship home) to learn these ecologically built houses are constructed partially underground (the only windows face east) and are self-sustained by collecting sun energy and rain water. Yes, that means no electric or water bills for these homeowners.
The Visitor Center's interior was intriguing with it's greenhouse-like front porch space and decorative glass bottle exterior We walked through a bedroom, the kitchen, bathroom and it's living room (aka, the Visitor Center's lobby).
You can see a sub-division of "earthships" off in the distance. What a unique concept with an established community for support.
Visiting the 68th Annual Santa Fe Traditional Spanish Market, we found it very colorful and chocked full of fascinating sights and sounds.
With over 250 Spanish Colonial Artists from New Mexico and southern Colorado, we found all sorts of art booths to peruse.
More corn on the cob for us? Yumm..the "roasted over coals and dipped in butter" kind this time.
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| "Have some corn?" |
The traditional Spanish music and dance entertainment performed on the Santa Fe Square Stage was outstanding. These girls were happy to display their dance costumes for me on their way to the stage.
What a fun time seeing the enthusiasm and energetic spirit of these young people, so proud of their heritage and willing to share it with others.
And one more Santa Fe sunset..until next time.
More later as we "eas-on down the road" to Flagstaff, Arizona.
Well, we have been having horrific thunderstorms every afternoon here. Joel and I both have cabin fever, it is just so humid, but temps are in the high eighties. Tomorrow we are venturing out for lunch at our favorite rib place, then we are both getting pedicures, yes joel loves them too, and then shopping for food. Hope we wont get caught in a heavy downpour, but we need stuff and it makes a day out. Your time in new mexico looks wonderful and the only thing you need for it to be complete is joel and i with you, (smile). Cant wait till you return to Florida. We are again landscaping the front of the house as it is all overgrown and looks awful. This time we are putting in river rock and putting in crotons which are those colorful leaf plants, dont grow too big and look really nice. This is the third time we are doing this and i hope it will be the last. Our garbage pails are full of all the old mulch and I hope the guys can lift them on thursday which is our trash day. Then joel and i will have to borrow a pick up truck to buy the rock and plants. But we will have to wait till all this rain calms down. This is very unusual weather for this time of the year, climate change? Anyhoo your photos are just beautiful, and I love seeing them. Keep us up to date, we love to see your travels, say hi to ron and kiss little boy for me, bye for now.
ReplyDeleteLove this entire area! Your pictures make me nostalgic and also, very hungry! :)
ReplyDeleteSafe travels to Flagstaff. Good time to stay in the mountains :)