The Santa Fe Trail

Santa Fe, New Mexico
Wednesday, July 5, 2006

Thea unpacked her turquoise jewelry and we headed north to Santa Fe.

By the time we arrived we were ready for another dish showcasing flavors indigenous to New Mexico and Plaza Cafe didn't disappoint. Centrally located in Santa Fe's Plaza, this 90-year old restaurant served up a platter of Huevos Rancheros that we sopped up with delicious golden, hot sopaipillas. Tom thought this was the single best dish he had ever tasted!

Fully energized, we couldn't wait to explore the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Having only spent two days in New Mexico it was easy to understand why it, and Santa Fe especially, became O'Keeffe's adopted home. Amazingly, I learned that her happiest years were in NM when she was in her 40's, 50's and 60's. Hmmmmmmm.

We browsed through the myriad galleries brimming with spectacular and colorful art, so many depicting the intoxicating landscape. The good thing about packing hundreds of boxes is that it deterred both of us from wanting to purchase even the smallest token as a memento.

As we glimpsed remnants of the Santa Fe Trail the irony wasn't lost on us that the trail was once used by the stagecoaches and pioneers heading to California seeking a new adventure.

The Native American statue in front of the St Francis Cathedral was particularly enchanting.