Ringing Bells, Giant Horses and Magical Chocolate

 May 8-9, 2025

Santa Fe , New Mexico

Traveling with an older dog is a thing. We're outside before dawn most mornings for a quickie, then again before 7:00 for a longer, slow walk. When it's not raining it's not so bad. A bit cold for most of our mornings, but not a bad way to kick off the day. Inside it helps that Tessa likes her comfy cubby under the dinette, but of course she also likes the rug. On the floor. In the only walking space. 

I can share. 

Sharing is caring.

She does pretty well on our outings, but usually is behind me needing a few tugs to get to our destinations. The buggy size isn't always practical or allowed, and she can't relax in it. 

So when we get to downtown Santa Fe on Thursday I'm delighted with my spry fluffy dog! Perhaps she's stimulated by so many other dogs, or just the bustling vibe, but she's out front on the leash showing no signs of fatigue all day. When we get home she crashes and doesn't move for hours :-))

Happy to be taking the lead, bummed the dreamy grass is roped off.

Santa Fe Plaza is one of those unique places that is both tourist attraction and local cultural center. I love the feel of the place. Surrounded on three sides by high end shops, galleries and eateries, on the north side is the historic Palace of the Governors, known most for the Puebloan and Mexican vendors along the walkway. One doesn't have to be a shopper, doesn't need to be looking for anything specific, to appreciate the beauty of the window displays. When I win the lottery I'll step inside and buy, for now I'm happy to be entertained by the offerings. 

Glorious colors, fabric and design.

Every piece in this gallery is stunning, watched over by a mighty warrior. I love the trees and water painting on the back wall.

The corner I always think of when I hear Santa Fe Plaza - these shamans! We both love this gallery with its fun ceramic rabbits and delightful owner. No photos allowed. 

In our travels Bill and I have had a couple interesting, unplanned "timings":

         - at the Houston Space Center the day the Mars Probe landed on Mars

         - at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the day Aretha Franklin passed away

And today Sherry and I are at the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi when the new Pope is chosen. Lots of bell ringing makes it a celebration of a centuries-old tradition. 

The Basilica has rung-in 12 new popes since its 1870 opening.

 

Two rows of unique painted pillars. I love this town!

Around the corner a more subdued row of shops. Love them too!

Another stop I've missed in the past. Loretto Chapel and its famous stairway.

Lovingly maintained, the chapel is a serene and spiritual place.

Beautiful detail. Originally built without railings, the Sisters hired Philip August Hesch to add them in 1887. I can't imagine managing without them! 

With design features that perplex experts today, the famous spiral stairway has no central support and no nails. It remains strong after 148 years.

I love miniatures, including this one in the entryway of the chapel.

Still going strong!

Regardless of their size, my favorite cities/towns are those that include art on their streets, walls and parks. Santa Fe really steps up with their art, especially in this area of town. And the architecture makes the whole place feel creative and special. 

In a small courtyard across from the chapel is this incredible Eagle Catcher. The bronze figure includes beading on the knife sheath and talon thong around his neck. You can feel the strain in his whole body.

I love the simple woman relaxing under the energy of the huge quartz crystal. It is such a beautiful stone, I think it deserves a more artsy stand!

New Mexico food is hard to beat, especially green chili, but perusing the menu at the Plaza Cafe, I opt for a large salad with a tasty variety of veggies. The people-watching here is especially fun. We run into the couple next to us the following day :-))

I forget to get a pic so pulled this one that shows the great diner vibe and soffit mosaic of dinner plates.

There are a couple less costly RV parks here, but none nearly as nice as Santa Fe Skies. It feels so good to return here at the end of each adventure. 

The park's namesake skies from the patio.

Pretty green bottle tree under sunset skies.

Fridays are the only day that both Shugarmans in Madrid and Origami Garden in Cerrillos are open. Both on the scenic Turquoise Trail, perfect for another great day trip. 

On several previous trips down this road Bill and I stopped to see the beauty of the rocks and trees on private property called Valley of the Gods. Only visible from the highway, we've always wanted to see more.

Turns out this unique sculpture garden is on, or adjacent to, that property, combining natural and artistic beauty, easily accessible. 

Tessa walks most of it, with Sherry graciously opting to be the buggy pusher, and then the old dog rides the last section. It's going to take a lot more practice for it to be a viable option, but she does pretty good today.

The first one you see upon entering, I can't believe I didn't get a photo of Hero Horse. Pulled this one but he's even more amazing in person.

Iron Horses commissioned by the city of Dublin, CA, for their Iron Horse Trailhead - hikers will be able to find these!

No signage and we don't find him on the map. So I love this Raven knowing nothing about him. Hmmm, been there!
(this may be Who Saw Who and includes a small mouse we didn't see - again, the map is really bad).

We're reading about this chocolate flower (yellow petals with brownie center) when a staff member encourages us to smell them. I pinch a little and smell my fingers. Sherry puts her nose on the plant :-)

Several chimes make pretty music in the light breeze. We speculate on the clatter during New Mexico's frequent high winds!

The only piece made entirely of tubing, Crease Canary, they're intended to replicate the folds in the paper, but it doesn't work for me. This is where we meet the couple from lunch yesterday :-)

Not referenced on the map, Sherry checks out this door to nowhere.

Placed in a seasonal creek, Paper Navigators, is a real treat. I'd love to see them when there's water swirling past.

With just seven folds, the paper airplane is the simplest origami shape. Folding Planes gives that simplicity the dream of flight.

This petrified log has wonderful color, but with no information provided there's no way to know if it originated here.

The location adds its own beauty.

Seed Sower and Seed is the artist's nod to the few oak trees on the property and the symbiotic relationship between the squirrel and acorn.

This huge bouquet, Scents of Gratitude, is visible from all over the park. Offers some lovely shade. They provide parasols at the entrance so the lack of shade is a thing.

Hare on Tortoise

On the patio wall is the unfolded "paper" and the crane it becomes. The shadows add to the artistry.

The gift shop has a large selection and is visually delightful.

That big piece and all those folds make that little sheep!

Artists Ken and Jennifer Boxer made 1000 metal cranes. 500 are scattered around the world with 500 joined here in Master Peace. A lovely tribute to their wish for world peace.

The beginning at the end because we didn't have the map yet. Just Unfolding is the first metal origami statue Boxer was able to create. 

Back in the Jeep we continue south on Hwy 14 to the old town of Cerrillos. It's busier than I've ever seen, apparently a funeral accounting for most of the extra cars. With a diverse history including mining and the movie location for Young Guns, it continues to struggle to stay alive.

Love this old growth tree!

Avoiding boring.

Lots of textures.

Madrid is our last stop and one that is a must-do when in the area. And it must be a day when the chocolate shop is open! I've never found anywhere even close to the quality and unique variety found at Shugarman's. For 13 years Harvey has been making his magical chocolate in a tiny shop in this quirky town.

My choices this time are ginger and dark, orange zest and dark, and the other one is "the most complex" with about eight flavors including cashews and chili.

We find a fixer-upper on the main street, but it's not for sale. Maybe next time!

In the back of a gallery we're invited to sit and enjoy the tranquility of the whimsical art and fluttering trees. I'm enamored by the the old blue door.

All of these pieces make me smile. The addition of a small bathing sparrow makes it priceless.

Time is passing way too quickly, but we still have a little more to see and do to wrap up our time together in this special place.

Henry's all-in with his cotton candy!

Penelope, Reese and Magnolia with mom Emily - our all-girl crew.