Day 451

Vickie and Jamie headed out early morning to check out the oldest church in the U.S., the San Miguel Chapel, built in the 1600s, and the oldest home of similar vintage. We caught a few other sites along the way. We returned to Harry's Roadhouse for breakfast as it was near our destination, Museum Hill. After discovering the amazing acoustics in the "maze" at Milner Park, we visited the Museum of International Folk Art and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (no photos allowed). The folk art museum had the most amazing collection of figurines (over 10,000 pieces) in all kinds of vignettes (see all the pics at the gallery link). The Indian arts museum was featuring modern glass artists that were using Indian motifs, very interesting. We made it to Taos in time for a very good meal at ACEQ Restaurant just north of Taos in a little place called Arroyo Seco on the way to the Taos ski area. The restaurant struck us as a "rocket boys"-like enterprise and we saw all five of the restauranteurs. "ACEQ" is short for acequia which means "bears water" or "community-operated watercourse" (pictured in the gallery link). All of today's photos start here in the gallery.

Bataan Memorial

Harry's Roadhouse

Acoustic Maze at Museum Hill (Milner Park)

Home Sweet Home in Taos

ACEQ Restaurant in Arroyo Seco

Day 450

We headed off this morning almost due north to Dolina Bakery and Cafe for breakfast then on to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Afterward, we strolled the streets around the Santa Fe Plaza including a stop at the ice cream store! Our stroll included getting inside the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi at the top of San Francisco Street. Then off to the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian on Museum Hill. The featured artist was Shonto Bengay whose style included the use of small curvy strokes throughout his paintings. We're told these are visual representations, an alphabet of sorts, of the Indian chanting sounds. We ended the day with a superb dinner at Geronimo followed by an evening stroll down Canyon Road where there are all manner of art galleries. All of this day's photos start here.

RailrunneR station (end of the line from Albequerque

Kapustnica at Dolina Bakery

We saw this scene from her bedroom at the Abiquiu house.

Eric Hester, at Bella (jewelry store)

Inside the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi

Shonto Bengay at Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian

Fabulous dinner at Geronimo

Along Canyon Road

Day 449

The biggy for today was visiting Georgia O'Keeffe's home in Abiquiu. Right next to our Abiquiu Inn was the Georgia O'Keeffe Welcome Center out of which one could tour her home and studio in Abiquiu. And as luck would have it, they just reopened tours this week (from COVID). New Mexico is still a little more shutdown than Colorado, but not enough to slow us down much. This was her winter house (her summer house was at Ghost Ranch). We were in Santa Fe by mid-afternoon where we first stumbled onto the Railyard area and had lunch at Opuntia Cafe (opuntia = prickly pear cactus) with a view of the RailrunneR train! While the rest rested in our Santa Fe abode, Jamie took a little walk to the Loretta Chapel which contains a "miraculous staircase" seemingly built with no visible means of support. It is pretty amazing. At the recommendation of Vickie's friend, John, we dined at Harry's Roadhouse; an exceptional experience. And despite threatening weather, we thoroughly enjoyed outback on their patio (with personal heaters built into the umbrellas over each table). From mole to Buddha Bowls to watermelon margaritas to sour cream coffee cake (just like Lynn's grandma made), the meal was really fun. To close out the day, we strolled around the Santa Fe Plaza in the heart of downtown. It was still pretty busy well into the evening. And Jamie, quite uncharacteristically, jumped at buying a leather vest. We managed to get to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi (hopefully we can go in before we leave town). All of today's pics start here.

Living room.

Entry to the interior courtyard.

Main door with a "hobbit" door.

View from the kitchen.

Dining/Living room (from other side).

Studio.

RailrunneR in Santa Fe.

Miraculous staircase, Loretta Chapel.

Happy Anniversary at Harry's Roadhouse.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Day 448

Today was a visit to Ghost Ranch. Three of us were here during our teen years! With memories mostly of Chimney Rock and of the Corral Block. The big activity was the hike to Chimney Rock which Vickie and Rob actually completed (3-mile round trip). Lynn and Jamie pooped out about halfway and went back to watch the ranch videos and have something to drink. We had another wonderful meal at the Abiquiu Inn restaurant. They had a very nice take on Southwest/Mexican dishes. Vickie met a horse named Sisco! All of today's pics start here. Lovin' the updates from AJ about caring for the dogs.

The Corral Block (which was what Jamie remembered).
Chimney Rock in the distance left of center.

17-year cicada.

That's Chimney Rock in the distance, center.

Chimney Rock

Loved their take on polenta (avocado "toast"),
including the use with eggs benedict (not pictured).

Day 447

The New Mexico crew got away about 9:30am heading out for Abiquiu, NM. But wait, first a lunch stop in La Veta, CO where Jamie had been once before on a speeder excursion in 2017 (pics). It's a very small town near La Veta Pass with one restaurant on the main drag, Legends on Main Street; thankfully it hit the spot perfectly. We had a surprise stop (didn't know it was there until we were "on top of it") at the Rio Grande Gorge State Park - 650 feet from the bridge to the water below. Who knew New Mexico had a grand canyon. Then we arrived at the Abiquiu Inn, 5 hours from Colorado Springs. Pretty cool place. Dinner at Cafe Sierra Negra was also both a shock and a very pleasant surprise. At first glance, it seemed a nothing kind of place. But the food was great! Definitely a French flair with several crepe dishes on the small-ish menu; two of which were fabulous entrees plus a super strawberry crepe dessert. We discovered a Paul Brocuse french cookbook in our villa (Drumlin House). We explored the environs of the Inn and discovered among other delights that the O'Keeffe Museum right next door was to open tomorrow for the first time since COVID! And tours of O'Keeffe's home and studio were a go! Gotta be there at 8:30am to book it! All the trip photos are here.

Legends on Main Street, La Veta, CO

Rio Grande Gorge State Park

Cafe Sierra Negra

At the Abiquiu Inn

Day 446

Finally had a halfway decent weather day for Memorial Day weekend - so off to the pool! Pretty quiet day otherwise but for a trip to Walter's for dinner, including Peanut Butter Old-Fashioneds and a stop at Josh & John's on the way home.