K: Santa Fe, New Mexico, was all that I had expected: picturesque, charming, tremendous culture, much to see and do, delicious food... . The town is home to the oldest house in America and the oldest church in America. The city, initially inhabited by Pueblo Indians, became the capital for the Spanish "Kingdom of New Mexico," the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, the American territory of New Mexico (which contained what is today Arizona and New Mexico) and since 1912 the state of New Mexico. All of these influences are still present today.
V: I can get so attached to my trusted, reliable-over-the-years camping gear. Yet, sometimes the conditions caused by the elements necessitate a break with such items ... especially when nature breaks them. A tent pole on the REI Taj tent was bent by the vicious Santa Ana winds whipping in Death Valley when we camped there, so I duct-taped it, but, alas, finally it snapped, and was useless. I am so glad there is a nice, new REI store in Santa Fe. I had hoped to simply replace the broken tent pole, but I knew the tent was discontinued. So maybe a repair could ensue.
Ash, the tent department guy in REI Santa Fe, was so great, suggesting that I could perhaps simply exchange the 'broken' tent for a new one! And, wow, so we did, acquiring a new Hoodoo 3 tent that will be simply great. Oh, and while we're there, might as well get a proper sleeping bag for the superb Big Agnes sleeping bag. Kind of nice to have some new camping gear.
I could see 'retirement' to New Mexico. No question about that. Something to ponder.
And how fun to meet a lady from Staten Island, New York, (where I grew up) in a shop in Madrid! She is now retired, living in 'Querque, and loving it.
Highlights:
Sips: The Coyote Cafe has one of the most diverse cocktail menus that we have ever seen, from edible "mojitos" to drinks served in flavored, frozen shotglasses to infusions that you can barely imagine. Our favorites were the green chile-infused margarita and the Desert Flower Margarita with tasty, dissolving prickly pear ice cubes.
Bites:
- Frito Pie - this delicacy's origin is disputed between Texas and New Mexico. However, most historians believe that the Frito Pie was invented at the lunch counter of Woolworth's more than 60 years ago. Meaty red chili is ladled into an opened "Frito's Big Grab" bag of corn chips, then shredded cheese is spread across the top. Onions and jalapenos serve as a garnish. The whole food pyramid in one bowl! We sampled the Frito Pie at the "Five & Dime General Store", the old site of the original Woolworth's lunch counter.
- Green chili cheese burger (GCCB) - the perfect storm of a hamburger: cooked beef, cheese, hot flame-roasted green chiles, served with raw onion, lettuce, tomato and pickle chips. This is a food staple all over New Mexico. We sampled ours in the historic town of Madrid at the Mine Shaft Tavern.
Chile rellenos - another staple in New Mexico. Roasted green chile peppers, stuffed with cheese and surrounded by crisp breading and topped with green chile sauce.
Restaurants - Casa la Sena and Coyote Cafe in Santa Fe are both outstanding! The elk tenderloin and herb-crusted lamb with sage gnocchi at Coyote Cafe were one of the best meals we have ever savored--wow!
And kind of fun to see Ted Turner, and his entourage, dining at the table next to ours.
Sights: Black Mesa Golf Course in Espanola, NM. The course is set in canyons and arroyos in the high desert north of Santa Fe. We both vow to return to play it again!
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum - houses many of her paintings and, currently, a photography exhibit of the artist in New Mexico. Georgia O'Keeffe ultimately moved from New York to New Mexico and settled north of Santa Fe. The landscape of the area is seen in much of her work.
Taos and the surrounding area. Set in stunning mountains and rich with skiing, hiking and rafting on the Rio Grande, it is also home of the Taos Pueblo, the oldest continuously inhabited community in the US. Pueblo Indians still live in the multi-family, terraced adobe buildings with the upper levels accessible only by ladder. Some of the structures are more than 1,000 years old.
Madrid (pronounced MAdrid) is an old coal mining town on the "Turquoise Trail" south of Santa Fe. Today it is largely an artist's community with old company stores and houses converted to galleries and shops. Oh so quaint!!
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