Sante Fe, NM June 6 – June 16, 2024
We really loved Santa Fe. Staying for ten days allowed us days for relaxation and to also get to know the city. We were able to visit the local farmers market a couple of times at the Santa Fe Railyard. The market had booths for food, art, crafts, and of course local music.
We dined at a couple of local restaurants, and I finally ate tamales at Posa’s Tamale Factory. I was not super impressed, but homemade tamales may be better. Of course we stopped at the Santa Fe Brewery. The beer was pretty good.
Besides the shopping, food and drinks, Santa Fe and the surrounding area is home to many attractions. We were not able to see everything, but we did visit Pecos National Historical Park, Manhattan Project National Historic Park, Bandelier National Monument, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
Pecos National Historic Park preserves the ruins of the Pecos Pueblo. Most of the pueblo is just ruins, but the Pueblo Mission Church built in the early 17th century is still partially standing. While the Spanish tried to eradicate religion of the local people, some remnants still remain as evidenced by the remains of over 20 ceremonial subterranean kivas.
If you watched the movie Oppenheimer, you are probably familiar with the Manhattan Project. The historic park includes the sites of the lodge and residences of the scientists as well has a museum that includes a fantastic movie about Los Alamos and the Manhattan Project.
The Bandelier National Monument preserves the homes and territory of the Ancestral Puebloans. Most of the pueblo structures date between 1150 and 1600 AD., on the slopes of the Jemez volcanic field in the Jemez Mountains. The cliff dwellings are still visible, however the structures that were attached to the front are long gone. The park required a lot of ladder climbing – on very very rickety ladders!
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum was small, but had quite a few of her paintings. The museum had a short film about her life, her travels to New Mexico, and ultimately her move to New Mexico.
We loved Santa Fe and really enjoyed our time. Our next stop is Taos.
“Santa Fe” by Bob Dylan