Santa Fe, New Mexico

We have moved from Taos to Santa Fe.  We did this on Monday and it was a nice short drive, 80 miles.  We took a back route instead of the interstate and it was very picturesque.  We arrived in Santa Fe to some fierce winds.  I believe the gusts were upwards of 35 mph.  I thought for sure the awnings covering our slides would ripe apart, but everything came through OK.  We are staying at an RV park about 10 miles from downtown, so it is very open and has expansive views of the area.  The interesting thing at this park is the number of large, expensive motorhomes (huge diesel pushers) that are here.  In most parks you get a good mix of smaller motorhomes, smaller trailers, fifth wheels and large diesel pushers.  For some reason this park, each night, has about 2/3 of the occupants to be huge, expensive, diesel pushers.  Even the majority of the fifth wheel rigs here are the high end models. 

Our rig parked in its row

A sampling of what surrounds us

On Tuesday, since the wind died down, we decided to explore downtown Santa Fe. 

The cathedral

Inside the cathedral

The alter

Organ and rose window

Loretto Chapel

Inside the Loretto Chapel

The Loretto Chapel is famous for its “miraculous staircase”.  This is a staircase that goes from the chapel floor to the choir loft.  It is spiral and made out of wood with no visible means of support.  There is a whole inspirational story behind it you can read at http://www.lorettochapel.com/staircase.html

We had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the plaza, walked around the shops then took a tram ride touring the city. 

  City claims this is the oldest house in America dating back to somewhere between 1200 and 1600.

San Miguel church.  Claims it is the oldest church structure in the US.  It is made of adobe.

Santa Fe Plaza

The Palace of Governors.  Claims to be the oldest government building in the US.  The people you see on the walkway are Native American vendors selling jewelry and art.  They have been doing this at this spot for something like 150 years (obviously not the same people!)

And of course the shops.  Jewelry store, art store, clothing store, repeat, repeat, repeat…………….

On the tram tour we were taken on Canyon Road which is where all the art galleries are.  There is something like 200 galleries on this one road.  Some looked very interesting so we may make a return trip to take a closer look.