Taking the High Road…

It hurts….yes it hurts…..sounds strange to start today´s posting with such a comment, but it´s true….It hurts to leave Santa Fe and our hotel Inn on the Alameda  after such a wonderful stay. Everyone there has been more than helpful and thoughtful and given us a memorable stay….and I mean EVERYONE!…from Deb Swanson, Managing Director, to Marcella and Rachel at the reception to Charley (a hotel institution   ) serving drinks and cheese  at the bar greeting each and every guest, most by first name since approx.40% of the guests are return visitors…..and now I know why, and Im sure I will be one of the 40% real soon. This hotel gets our highest recommendation and in the “City Different” its a real highlight.

Yesterday we visited the Santa Fe Farmer´s Market in the Railyard district and on to extend our insights about Georgia O´Keeffe and took in Abiqui where she had her home and Ghost Ranch where tours are possible sponsored by the O´Keeffe Foundation and Museum in Santa Fe. It ´s more than worth the trip and entrance fee to see the places that inspired her to paint such magnificent works of art.

Back in town we visited the Andrew Smith Gallery  for masterpieces of Photography in its new home at 122 Grant Street, right around the corner from the O´Keeffe Museum. I had a great talk with John Boland, one of the owners and viewed such fantastic masterpieces of black & white photography from such  famous photographers as Yousef Karsh, Arnold Newman, Edward Curtis, Minor White and Ansel Adams to name just a few. A highlight for anyone interested in seeing, and maybe owning the work of some of the greatest photograohers of all time.

So today we are taking the “the high Road to Taos” planning stops at the legendary Santuario de Chimayo, a shrine built in 1813-1816 said to be the “Lourdes of America” due to the miraculous healing properties of its “holy earth”.

We will do a little back tracking and head up to Oja Caliente for a pampering massage and dip in the hot mineral springs, then on to Taos to the Pueblos there and the long drive on to Durango, Colorado where we will take the famous narrow gauge Railroad ride thru the mountains to Silverton.

….so now its up,up and away on the high road…..back soon with more news about the amazing Southwest.

On The Trail…

Jetlags gone, the dry desert heat warms body and soul..the parched desert is full of surprizes sights, sounds and smells..nature at its purest best. After the short stop in Holbrook to photograph the famous Wigwam Motel, we went on to Albuquerque for a quick overnight stop on the way to Santa Fe.

Up early and on the old Route 66 as far as it is allowed…now the new Interstate 40 is the the alternative (speed Vs. charm & visual bon-bons) not a good trade-off, but thats what “progress” does…convenience at the cost of tradition and depth….fast-food culture….quick and dirty.

We took the old “Turquiose Trail” route through Golden, Madrid and Ce3rrillos….all three worth a day each to explore the “old Southwest”. We arrived in Santa Fe in the middle of the afternoon and drove through the Old Town filled with brightly colored shops,art galleries and wonderful cafés full of  delightful scents of freshly baked cakes and pasteries and pots of freshly brewed coffee…knowing will would have to return later for a real southwest calorie orgy!

We arrived at our hotel “Inn On The Alameda” in the heart of the art district right next to the green lush park area with the Santa Fe river running parallel to the hotel property. Such a wonderful mix of southwest landscaping and architecture! We were greeted by friendly professional staff and invited to spend an hour at the bar for wine & cheese tasting…mmm what a welcome!

After bringing the luggage to our room, we were more than pleasantly surprised at the spacious and tastefully styled interiors and spacious terraces, all in the best quality southwestern style integrating the adobe style architecture with the lush green natural surroundings…an oasis in good taste and laid back southwestern hospitality.

Arizona-The Journey Starts

Well, after an 11 hour flight to Chicago, a 4hour wait in the airport with nothing to do but hang at the bar andd drink overpriced Bud…(really a culture shock after all the great German beer) the 4 hour flight to Sky Harbor Airport was a pleasant relief.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with …

…the first step.
Welcome Readers! This is my new Word Press Blog that I hope will entertain, enlighten and encourage you to come along on this journey and discover many new things about the world we live in, and about yourself….and maybe learn a bit about who I am.