Where I've been.... Part 1

Trip to the Southwest....

It is the week before the big holiday in the US and I took my girlfriend on a little trip to get away before the crush of holiday stresses. We were going to go down to Mexico, but circumstances didn’t allow so we decided to go to New Mexico instead and see Santa Fe and Taos.

Since I lived in Southern California and have been to the Southwest before, I kind of knew what was there, but I never made it up to Santa Fe. Like most of the southwest, there are differences in area from terrain to culture to the indigenous people. The Santa Fe area has been transformed from a Spanish colonial area to mining and ranch to now more arts and recreation.



Looking down the Turquoise Trail

So we planned on seeing this area before the bad weatherof winter and we had planned to stay in both Santa Fe and Taos for about 5 days. We flew into Albuquerque then drove the scenic and famous Turquoise Trail. It is only about 60 miles between Albuquerque and Santa Fe and can be driven fast on the main highway, but the Turquoise Trail is much more scenic and there are a few small towns (villages) that are good to stop in and look around. The terrain is a mix of rolling sage brush and jutting rocks and mountains. It is an easy drive to make and I would recommend it unless you really are short on time, but it isn’t much different in travel time between the two routes.

Once in Santa Fe, you find out that the old center is the place to go. There is a road that circles the Plaza area and it is easy to get to and make your way to the many sights to see. We stayed at a wonderful small B and B (Bed and Breakfast), I am not the kind of person who likes B and B’s, but this place was great. The Don Gaspar Inn is a group of old adobe houses that make up the B and B. Each building is split in half so we had basically a house to stay in rather than a hotel. I highly recommend this Inn to stay at, it is very close to the Plaza and is the perfect place to stay.



Art is everywhere in all forms...

Santa Fe’s central plaza like most colonial villages has a large church and the plaza is lined with shops and hotels and restaurants. Near the plaza is the San Miguel Church (401 Old Santa Fe Trail) one of the oldest churches inthe United States, built in 1610.

The main church (Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi) is newer but it is still originally from the 1700’s. Also there is the Loretto Chapel which is famous for the spiral staircase, this is very close to the main church and you should stop in to see it.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis

Most of the buildings are or were constructed of adobe mud brick with wood roofs and wood beams. A lot of these buildings have been ‘fixed’ or modernized but they still have the old look.

In the high summer season the prices in the stores can be high and there are a lot of visitors, but in the fall and winter there are few people and the stores will deal. Never pay the listed price, everything can come down, but know what you are buying, some items are cheep, others are well made. Pottery should be researched and if you pay a high price make sure the artist is know or the item is authentic.

Some places to see in the Plaza area:

 

La Boca Tapas bar/restaurant (72 West Marcy Street) is a very good place to eat but call and get a reservation. They have a great wine list and the Spanish wines are great. Food is good and so is the service, it is a small place but worth it. The one thing though about this place is it seems some old time locals eat there and they can be very rude. The staff is friendly but if you see some old people with cowboy hats, they can act like they have a stick up their ass.
 

La Fonda on the Plaza is an old hotel complex that has a lot in it, but don’t hangout there. Have a coffee or drink in the main central lobby and look around, but there are better places to go and eat.



Lunch at the Shed

The Five and Dime on San Francisco St is worth going in and walking around. Fun cheep stuff to look at or buy a small souvenir but don’t buy anything big.

The Shed (113 East Palace Avenue) is another ‘famous’ restaurant near the plaza. Since I lived in the southwest for most of my life I and familiar with Mexican/Spanish food, the Shed is OK in my opinion but it isn’t one of those places that just make you wish you could eat there every day. Go but if you miss it, it is OK.



Chili's are also everywhere...

Hotel St Francis (210 Don Gaspar Avenue) is another place to stop in and have a drink in the bar, can be loud, so you can take your drink into the main lobby and sit.

Aptly named Cigar Shop (123 Galisteo Street http://www.santafecigarshop.com/) is a great place to get a smoke, the store has a very limit selection of other items but mostly cigars. I don’t smoke but I happened into the store and the owner was so nice that I have to mention his store.

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum (217 Johnson Street) is a must stop. Great art from the famous painter, not just the bones and flower paintings but ones from the early years in New York.
 

Kakawa Chocolate House (125 N Guadalupe St) is a stop you must make if you are a chocolate lover. They specializes in producing fine, hand-made dark chocolates, chile chocolates, and drinking chocolates.