Loving Santa Fe

We really love Santa Fe. Put-it-on-the-list love it.

I know the winters can get very cold, and the spring winds very brutal, but our ten days here have made us consider it as a place to land when we come off the road. 

The people are friendly, the culture diverse, the food delicious, the services plentiful, and the natural wonders spectacular. All of this, and the place just feels magical.

Our last few days are a combination of hanging out at our wonderful Site 18, and more exploring of the area.

A couple families are in the park and it is fun to watch the kids playing outdoors, running the hills, even doing archery with a portable target.

Tessa has a new channel to watch on her "dog tv"

We love this view from our windows

and our spacious patio

On weekends this is the playground - very entertaining

The Turquoise Trail is a wonderful 100-mile round trip from the RV park. A combination of beautiful scenery, artisan shops, galleries, tasty eateries, old buildings, pine forests, and red rocks - it is another perfect day trip.

Garden of the Gods - on private property

Historical Cerrillos, NM

Filming site for the movie Young Guns

Old gates with wonderful detail

Newer gates maintaining the tradition

Enormous old growth tree - at least 10' diameter

Artsy town of Madrid (MAD-rid)

Brunch at The Hollar - wonderful!

Dozens of shops and galleries in a one-mile stretch of Hwy 14

Epic views from Sandia Peak Ski Area

Majestic pine forest

Intense red rock

So many pretty colors

On our trip to Los Alamos last week we were "Wow'ed" by the huge canyons we drove above on our return route to Santa Fe. The rim road had no pull-overs on the "down" side, and we didn't see any side roads to take us into the canyons themselves. So we decide to return one afternoon just to take a closer look. We stop at every scenic turn-out, find a rim route with homes at the very edge, and take a different highway along the bottom to head back.

Massive canyon from the top

From the side - what a view!

From the bottom

It is easy to understand why ancient tribes chose the cliffs to carve out their dwellings in this area. But it is less so to figure out what drew government scientists to build high-security laboratories. Not that I begrudge them choosing such a lovely place to live and work......it's just odd that they're here.

With a windshield replacement appointment waiting for us we must sadly leave Santa Fe for now. Next stop Albuquerque.