By Greg Petty
May 2005

Discovering America, The Land of Enchantment - Santa Fe

You do not have to travel to Europe to find a destination that provides you the excitement of archaeology, history, art and culture all in one spot. America provides several of these spots but probably none of them can compare to the historical location, charm and ambiance of romantic Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Santa Fe, and its immediate environs, offers the ancient ruins of the Anasazi and the current homes of their ancestors, the Pueblos of northern New Mexico. Established in 1610, the Palace of the Governors is the oldest public building in the U.S. The Plaza also dates to 1610 and nearby are some of the oldest houses in America and the oldest church, San Miguel Chapel.

Santa Fe is a magnificent place to witness the merging and melding of three distinct cultures. Shaped by the Native Americans, the Spanish Conquistadors and Western culture with the establishment of the Santa Fe Trail in 1821. The result of this cultural exchange for nearly 400 years is a city with a unique personality and beautiful natural surroundings. Visitors here have tremendous opportunities to enjoy art, music, fabulous food, shopping and a large variety of outdoor activities. All you could desire in one location!

Nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Christo (Blood of Christ) mountains, Santa Fe lies at 6,900 feet above sea level. To the west are the Jemez mountains and to the south the Sandia mountains. The vistas from every direction are outstanding and you have not seen a sunset until you have viewed one here. The air, the light and colors are what attracted many famous artists and writers (Georgia O’Keefe, D.H. Lawrence) to Santa Fe and nearby locations and is the reason for its motto “The Land of Enchantment”

The Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau can help provide useful materials and great ideas to maximize your time in Santa Fe. Ask for the Official Santa Fe Visitors Guide for 2005 and any brochures of special interest such as shopping, art gallery and outdoor activity guides. Call them at 800-777-2489. They are located at 201 W. Marcy St., P.O. Box 909, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Fly to Albuquerque and rent a car. Santa Fe is a short one-hour drive north of Albuquerque on Interstate 25. Enjoy the geology of the area on your trip north. To your left (west) will be the Rio Grande Valley and in the distance the Jemez mountains. These mountains were formed by a link of several separate volcanoes that exploded in one of the world’s great cataclysms. As you near Santa Fe you will see the lava flows. It is said the force of the explosion threw pumice stone all the way to Kansas! The Sangre de Christo and Sandia mountains are uplift mountains caused by faults.

Lodging

Part of the Santa Fe experience is enjoying the unique adobe architecture that is the result of the cultural interchange found only here. The thick adobe walls that keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter come from the Indians, the exposed wood beamed ceilings (called vigas) and brick or tile floors that are sometimes heated from underneath via water pipes are Spanish influences. Add the fabulous southwestern art and you suddenly realize you are in a special place.

Santa Fe offers many types of lodging to suit all budgets but here are a few suggestions:

If you are bringing a large family or meeting friends you may wish to rent a home, search these two websites www.santaferents.com or www.santaferental.com

The accommodations below are close to the Plaza downtown and will allow you to walk to many shops and galleries.

The Inn on the Alameda – 303 E. Alameda, 888-335-3413

Las Palomas – 460 W. San Francisco. 877-982-5560

Inn of the Governors – 101 W. Alameda, 800-234-4534

Inn of the Five Graces (High End B & B)

Now that you are ensconced in the lodging of your choice the really hard decision is what to do first? Whether it is enjoying shopping, hiking, fishing or visiting archaeological sites you cannot go wrong.

I suggest that you take the tour of downtown offered by Access Santa Fe. The docents do a wonderful job of escorting you to the historic locations and explaining their relevance to the Santa Fe of today. Contact them at 505.988.2774 or www.accesssantefe.com

If you choose to shop for Native American jewelry, pottery or other personal items, stop first at the sidewalk at the Palace of the Governors. The artisans there are all Native Americans and the craftwork is outstanding.

Santa Fe is the second largest art market in the U.S. trailing only New York City! While the galleries are scattered throughout the city some of the finest are in downtown and on nearby Canyon Road. The galleries and retailers offer a wide variety of art, home furnishings and personal items with distinctive Southwestern and Native themes.

Outdoor types can enjoy the extensive paths of the Dale Ball Trails. The trails are only for hikers and bicyclists with the hikers having right of way. Over twenty miles of trails are open and offer a variety of superb vistas and terrain. The south section trails are more difficult with an average grade over 8% and even experts find them difficult. You can park and cover one or two sections of your choice.

Archaeologists and history buffs will want to make the approximately 50 mile drive to Bandelier National Monument. Take US 84/285 west to Hwy 502 toward Los Alamos then NM 4 to the site. This 36,000-acre monument was home to the Anasazi (the Ancient Ones), ancestors of today’s Pueblo Indians. It was settled around the 12 th Century and was abandoned in the early 17 th Century. Explore these unique cliff dwellings and enjoy the walking tour through beautiful Frijoles Canyon.

Other activities can include fly fishing in the Pecos River, hiking in the Santa Fe National Forest (skiing in the Winter) or enjoying one of the areas five golf courses.

If you are not tired of art, history or culture you will want to visit Santa Fe’s museums. All of them have something special to offer. Downtown museums include the Museum of Fine Art, Palace of the Governors, Georgia O’Keefe Museum and the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum.

Museum Hill, centered around Milner Plaza, includes the Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture and the Wheelwright Museum.

Dining

New Mexicans pride themselves on their cuisine and, as a person who grew up there, I can attest to it’s having the finest Mexican food I’ve experienced anywhere. One hasn’t lived until you started the day with Huevos Rancheros (Eggs and red chile) or a dinner of Carne Adovada, Chile Rellenos, Enchiladas, fresh Pinto Beans and flour Tortillas! Take the short drive to Maria’s Mexican Kitchen, 555 W. Cordova Rd. Owned by Al and Laurie Lucero, Maria’s brings together the finest traditional recipes of Spanish settlers, Native and Mexican Indians and relies on some of the best chile in the world grown in the Rio Grande Valley. To get you in the Land of Enchantment mood you can choose from over 100 fabulous Margarita recipes!

Other notable dining establishments to experience are Old House at El Dorado Hotel, San Francisco Bar & Grill, The Shed and Los Mayos. For a fun experience have lunch at the Cowgirl and then head out for shopping in the Sambusco area. If you tire of New Mexican food try the excellent Italian cuisine at Il Realto.

Music lovers will enjoy world class Opera at the Santa Fe Opera beginning July1st. Come early, bring some cheese and wine and enjoy tailgating with other opera aficionados. Natures architecture, and the famous Opera building, come together to present world class Opera productions.

Highlights of the rest of the summer of 2005 are:

July 9 & 10 – Santa Fe International Folk Art Market

August 20 & 21 – Indian Market – over 1,200 Native Americans show and sell their wares

September 3 – 11 – Santa Fe Fiesta – a celebration of Hispanic history and culture. Don’t miss the burning of Zozobra (Old Man Gloom) on September 8th.