Visiting Santa Fe

Starting on our trip over the Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  This stop is at the town of Madrid, an art town.

This store was perfect for some neat turquoise and 2 new hand made coffee cups

Thought some might like this quote.

Madrid is on Route 14 heading north from Albuquerque.  It is a quiet 2 lane road with beautiful views .  Would not have tried it in our 5th wheel, but the 24 foot Lady Blue fit quite nicely and we parked right on the street.

















Artwork on building walls and the main street through Madrid

We had to stop at the local diner for lunch.  There was one gentleman who was the waiter, cook, and cashier. 

Notice the mention of chile, chipotle, etc.

I couldn't resist the Smoked Brisket Red Chile Enchilada.  Loved it!!  Jan had Chicken Green Chile Enchilada.

Did you see the listing of Red Chile Chocolate Cake?  We should have tried it, but we were full!












Definitely New Mexico

Lots of hats at Cowgirl Red.


And then on to Santa Fe.

We camped at a campground right on the main road into Santa Fe.  As seniors we were able to catch a local bus right outside the campground for $1 each for a day pass.  The ride was about 15 minutes into the Plaza.

Much of downtown Santa Fe follows this period Pueblo style in Native American adobe style


This is the Museum of Art

We thought this might fit well on a wanted poster

The red chiles are well represented in Santa Fe. 

We have enjoyed the Ristras--or strings of fresh or dried red chili peppers

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. The church was built in the 1800's, but the roots go all the way back to the 1600's and 1700's.

 

We always love the art on old doors.  The relief on these panels is outstanding.  You can click on the pictures to enlarge.

There were a number of stained glass windows. They were imported from France( the cathedral itself was modeled after French Romanesque) and then transported over dirt roads to be placed in the church.

 
We assume that Dave Cooper probably already know about the staircase at Loretto Chapel.  The chapel was part of a convent. The story told is of a stranger who stopped by and agreed to build the stairs up to the choir loft. 

He did so and then disappeared.  The staircase was built originally without the banisters.  If you look closely , there is no support for the staircase.  It is not attached to the wall at any point.

The inside of Loretto Chapel

 San Miguel Chapel, built in 1610.

It is the oldest church in the US.   Here we always thought Boston or Williamsburg, Va would have the oldest.

The art section of Santa Fe centers around Canyon Road.  We loved these cast figures

The boy and the girl look so natural --reading and looking into the pond

Some of the stores had beautiful displays of turquoise!

Also many choices of Native rugs.

Everywhere you turn , there is some form of art.

A lot of action is felt from this sculpture.

After enjoying Santa Fe, we headed a few miles southwest to Cochiti Lake Corps of Engineer campground.  We are on a beautiful site with its own shelter and an unobstructed view to the lake.  To give you an idea, you might see little dots in the lake that are fair sized boats.  The lake is on the Rio Grande. 

This is dry camping--no water, electric , or sewer hookups.  We had to pay a huge $6 per night.

This section of the Rio Grande has a good amount of water.