SANTA FE, NM

After a looooong dusty drive across parts of Nevada and New Mexico, where miles long dust storms moved across the parched land, where horizontal dust blew steadily across the highway, we made our way towards Santa Fe, our next destination.  It was a long time to be stuck in the van but because of the terrible wind and blowing dust, our hopes of a serene picnic spot along the highway never materialized.

The Navaho Reservation was quiet. The roadside sales booths were empty because of the severe wind.  The land was parched and dry, a very sad legacy of what this American government did to the American Indians to justify stealing their land.

It was late evening when we arrived in the Santa Fe Worldmark Resort.  It felt great to finally step out of our Sienna and head for bed. The Adobe style architecture of our resort was beautiful. The whole city was adorned in a Southwestern motif.

The next morning we took a walk to the main square, only 4 blocks away.  We walked the area, in and out of shops of all kinds. Along one side of the square, Pueblo Indians sat under an overhang, side by side with their blankets spread out before them.  Each of them were selling their own creations of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and other things including weaving and bead work.

There were many other shops on several levels that sold most everything. Cafés and restaurants boasted "New Mexican" food. It was good.  Little Rosie and I treated ourselves to a pedal cab ride around the area. The old Spanish Cathedral at the end of the street was beautiful. Inside, the artwork and stained glass windows were incredible. The design of this church building reminded us of other Spanish Missions we have seen across the Southwestern United States.

We chose a restaurant called The Crib for our lunch. It was great!

There was much more to see in Santa Fe but it will have to wait until another day. Tomorrow morning we head for Oklahoma!