Albuquerque

January 30, 2017.

There have been protests in several airports the past couple of days (regarding the Trump's immigration ban), so we decided to all head for Albuquerque today and have another day together there, then stay overnight and make sure Emma gets on her flight safely.  We loaded up the car and arrived in Albuquerque an hour later.  

The historic center of the city is small and quaint.  

                  

If you peek closely, you'll see there's a statue of The Virgin Mary                                            inset into this tree.

                                               

Chilis are celebrated and displayed everywhere:

Yes, those are all ristras (strings of chili peppers).  Chili Central.

 

                            

                                            

                                             

Emma and I decided we had to venture into the oh-so-touristy Snake Museum which was informative but made our skin crawl. 

                     

The museum houses large and small Rattlesnakes and many other types of snakes and reptiles.  There was even a live Tarantula and several of the hairy-legged little horrors exhibited in a glass case. Sorry, no pix, it was a bit of a quickie run-through.  We both got creeped out by all the creepers, but it was worth it.  As we left scratching our skin and squirming), we were even presented with a certificate to prove we had toured the whole museum.  Thank you very much.  I'll frame that.

We were all glad to 

share another day together

in the sunshine.

#albuquerque,  #chileristras, #snakemuseumalbuquerque, 
#travelingwithgreatdanedog

Last day in Santa Fe

January 29, 2017.
                     

Today was the last day of Emma's visit, she wanted to browse the jewelry market at the Palace of The Governors (because no trip here is complete without shopping for Native turquoise jewelry), so we headed there after Canyon Road.  The Native vendors display their works on blankets and are happy to talk with shoppers.  Emma found a beautiful ring and enjoyed chatting with the artists.

Zuma wagged herself into a Dane pretzel as she and Doug walked around the historic section while Emma and I browsed the gorgeous shops in the historic district.  Zuma loves the Plaza and the people she meets there.

This is the entrance to the Five & Dime shop as featured on Anthony Bourdain's travel show.  They sell the famous Frito Pie here.  I see people eating it there whenever I go in.

Check out this youtube video for his description of Frito Pie.  

This is hilarious!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvL-Wg81oE

I really wanted Doug and Emma to see two of the several churches I've visited, so they went to the charming Loretto Chapel with it's magnificent 'Miracle Staircase'. 

      

We walked a short distance to see the oldest church in the USA, San Miguel Chapel, a Spanish Colonial Mission Church built circa 1610.  Doug went in for confession a look and said it's beautiful.

There were more jewelry shops calling so we walked back into town.  We found a shop that sells antique Native jewelry so we stopped to take a peek.  Emma found a beautiful necklace.  There was one amazing antique bracelet that caught my eye, even though I wasn't looking for anything except for a hair accessory for a friend of mine.  At Emma's insistence, I tried it on.  Good Energy. Turquoise is a healing stone.  It's also my birthstone.  We met up with Doug and Zuma and Emma told him about the bracelet; we went for another round of shops and back to the antique shop because they both really wanted me to have it.  I felt guilty buying jewelry as we've had some major trip expenses lately, but they insisted.
  
                        

The stone reminds me of the globe.  As Emma said, it's a wonderful keepsake for this fabulous journey.  I will treasure it forever. 

We celebrated New Mexican style with a Mimosa (Em) and Margueritas (us) at the dog-friendly Thunderbird Restaurant, overlooking the Plaza and The Palace of The Governors, places we've all come to know and love.  It seemed like the right thing to do as we bid adios to Santa Fe.  On the first day of Emma's visit, she treated and we went for a mani-pedi, something I never do for myself.  I love how Emma's nails compliment her new ring!   

                                Adios, Santa Fe and Cheers!

                                  

#thethunderbirdrestaurantsantafe, #dogfriendlyrestaurantsantafe, #nativeturquoisenm, #palaceofthegovernors, #theplazasantafe, #travelingwithagreatdanedog

Warm Welcomes ....

January 31, 2017.

                             

When we arrived in Santa Fe a month ago we had no hotel reservations and no connections.  Doug searched online and found a dog-friendly boutique hotel close to downtown.  Louis, the Manager welcomed all three of us with open arms and offered us an excellent weekly rate.  We planned to stay for a week (as Doug had to return to the office in Maine) but I stayed almost four, including Emma's visit the last few days we were there.

On Friday and Saturday nights, all hotel guests are invited for a wine and cheese get-together in the lobby, impeccably organized by Louis.  This gives the hotel guests a chance to meet each other and compare travel notes.  We met several fine people there.  

Everybody insisted we try a Green Chile Cheese Burger.  When in Rome, saith I.  Half a cheeseburger later, I doth request Pass the Pepto, please.  Wowzers!  That green chile is HOT!

                       

Over the course of our stay, we discovered el Meson, a Spanish restaurant right around the corner.  Live music and Tapas. Excellent hospitality, thank you Andrea and Staff!  'Doesn't get much better than that.  

                       

                       

                                   

In casual ways, we crossed paths with artists, an astrologer, Native indigenous people, writers, shop keepers, hoteliers, musicians, actors, poets, restaurateurs and a couple (see below) who take in homeless dogs and re-home them. 

I always say, "Sometimes you meet someone and you just KNOW". In Santa Fe, we had many "we just knew" moments.  I met Penny and Michael and it was a "oh yeh" moment.  When Doug and Emma came to Santa Fe, we all got together and enjoyed several fun evenings with them and their granddaughter.  

                                

Penny and Michael took us to a large lobby in a very fine hotel near The Plaza where dogs are welcomed.  So, if we felt like a drink after dinner, we could include Zuma; we walked there in the snow and ice to lounge on the sofas, talk, listen to music, and let Zuma stretch out on the cool marble floors.

This is Connie (with Julian, one of the servers at el Meson):

                     

Connie is a fascinating lady; she read my astrology chart and Tarot Cards and she was extremely accurate.  We spent a lovely afternoon in the library as Connie explained my chart.  Julian is an aspiring actor who already has played many professional roles. 

                  

The Mexican and Tex Mex food here is delicious too ~ Green Chile Everything!  This is a Green Chile Cheese Burger.  Delicious but Pass the Pepto please.  Wowzers! That green chile can be HOT!

                     

It's difficult to say goodbye to the southwest and the kind, fascinating people we met.  BUT we will see many of them again because some of these great people are coming to visit us in Maine!

I just want to thank all of you for coming into our lives and we look forward to showing you the same hospitality in Maine that each of you have shared with us here in Santa Fe!

                             

#greenchilecheeseburger, #elmeson, #santafe,

The Artists of Canyon Road and the City Different.

January 29, 2017.

This morning Doug, Emma, Zuma and I enjoyed a sunny Santa Fe walk on Canyon Road, home to a multitude of art galleries with friendly artists and sculptors displaying their works.  Multiple huge bronze statues line the way and they are magnificent.  This bronze horse head is taller than Doug and the detail is full of passion. Sculptures, paintings and all forms of artwork, (contemporary, traditional and Native) are lovingly exhibited along Canyon Road.  

                                                

Storefront to a gallery on Canyon Road: 

                           

Following the narrow sidewalk (that sports telephone poles that pop out of nowhere in the middle of path ), we slowly took it all in.  

It's "off season" so were able to explore and admire at leisure as there were no crowds.  These fences are built from Pinon trees; they're called Coyote Fences:

The early morning shadows create a natural form of art.  The subtle simplicity of light and shadows is breathtakingly beautiful:

This is my fave photo.  Simple, understated.

It's fun to peek into the side courtyards 

to take a peek at the local artwork.

This primitive piece in a restaurant window is on of my faves:

Even in the cold, a few brave Buskers share their talents.

We love street musicians.

Isn't she a living painting?

These two humble gentlemen sing only in Spanish and quietly light up the Plaza (central green space in the city):

The famous Five & Dime store downtown.  Here, you can buy a Frito Pie, which is a bag of Fritos torn open and topped with chile.

I see a smile in this window, set into the walls of an Adobe house.

Santa Fe has been very good to us.

Known fondly as The City Different, 

its people have welcomed us with open arms.

Special people awaited us here (I swear).

                     

#santafe, #canyonroad, #thecitydifferent, #newmexico, #travelingwitgreatdanedog, #landofenchantment, #fritopie, #Five&Dime

Taos

January 27, 2017.

"The land has a quality of TIME which steadies us.  

When you come to a PLACE, honor her rhythm and her voice.

~ Fredric Lehrmann.

This thoughtful, sensitive quote fits Taos to a T.

We had to take Emma to see Taos, it's a charming artist's town 

in Georgia O'Keeffe country.  

So, the day after Emma and I toured the O'Keeffe Museum, we all drove up to Taos.  Our goal was to wander around the town and then see the Pueblo village (1,000 A.D., inhabited by generations).  Sadly, it closes occassionally without explanation (possibly a ceremony, possibly due to illness or even a death within the Pueblo).  This was one of those days.  The Pueblo was closed.  But we made the most of it and enjoyed the spectacular scenery on the way there and back, browsed the shops and enjoyed a scrumptious Tex-Mex lunch in the heart of the town.

Dogs are not allowed in places that serve food, unless they are service dogs; however, we found a very nice restaurant who allowed Zuma in and she flopped quietly in a corner.  There's no hiding her!  By the time we left she had made many new friends. We sauntered around the town and admired fantastic art, pottery, Native rugs and jewelry.  

Near the Pueblo there are several old abandoned adobe houses:

 

This cute little building is the office for the parking lot in Taos: 

The scenery surrounding Taos is nothing short of spectacular.

Northwest of Taos is The Rio Grande Bridge, one of the highest bridges in America.  Doug and I thought we'd brave walking across it but, at 656' above the canyon, we both felt symptoms of vertigo after just a few yards!  Doug got a few pix, then we both bolted wobbled woozily for the car!  It was worth the effort, even if we did feel dizzy for half an hour afterwards!

  Several vendors were selling their wares on the roadside nearby.  These prayer bowls are inlaid with turquoise and gems:

The desert, the mountains, the artistry under the southwest sun are so unique and truly inspiring.

What a day!