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Published: June 15th 2023
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We love Santa Fe. On our way to Chama, New Mexico to visit Sheri's brother and family for the Thanksgiving holiday, we are spending a day and night in Santa Fe. Santa Fe is one of our favorite towns, for many reasons. We like the food, the southwest atmosphere, the proximity to Albuquerque, and the old town charm. We are also stopping here on the way back on Sunday night as well.
It is hard to believe that Santa Fe is America's fifth most popular city for travelers. Santa Fe was actually settled thirteen years before Plymouth Colony was founded by the Pilgrims. It is the oldest capital city in North America and the oldest European community west of the Mississippi River. But please do not confuse south western cuisine with Mexican food. You will be severely reprimanded here if you do.
Santa Fe is the site of both the oldest public building in America, the Palace of the Governors and the nation's oldest community celebration, the Santa Fe Fiesta, established in 1712 to commemorate the Spanish reconquest of New Mexico in the summer of 1692. Don Pedro de Peralta (who really settled Santa Fe) and his men laid
out the plan for Santa Fe at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the site of the ancient Pueblo Indian ruin of Kaupoge, or "place of shell beads near the water."
Despite only 70,000 people, Santa Fe is a recognized center for arts and culture. It ranks as our country's third largest art market, with nearly 300 galleries and dealers. Of course, my favorite is the Georgia O'Keefe Museum just a block or so off of the zocalo or town square. There are thirteen museums in this tiny town. And bunches of tacky southwestern gift and souvenir stores. While you are here, have a custom pair of cowboy boots or Native American belt made. Just kidding!
When we were last here, a couple of Thanksgivings ago, it was very cold but clear here. Santa Fe averages 300 sunny days per year, with 14 inches of rain and 17 inches of snow annually. The hottest days arrive in June, when temperatures soar into the high 90s. Because of the altitude, temperatures can change by 30 degrees in a single day, and sometimes all four seasons seem to pass through in a 24-hour time period. The air
is dry making for good powder skiing conditions in nearby Taos. We also had to get a humidifier last time just to make the nights bearable.
Though we are only here for a night now and on Sunday, we will enjoy Santa Fe. A nice dinner at Maria's, followed by breakfast at Cafe Pasqual. It is a must stop if you visit here. Then a little window shopping before the drive over to Chama. Oh, and do not forget that great shoe store, called Goler. Last time here, we bought four pair of shoes! I think they know we are visiting again. Did you hear that, Ingrid! We are staying at the Inn on the Paseo, located right on Paseo de Peralta. Last time, we stayed at La Posada de Santa Fe, at about triple the price. And for Thanksgiving dinner at La Posada, we received the entire bird. They carved it at our table, stored it in their kitchen until we wanted leftovers, and paid dearly for it. In between, are many authentic southwestern style inns and hotels, at all price ranges. Most are within walking distance to the zocalo, shops, galleries, and museums. Sheri is headed to Santa Fe for two weeks to house and pet sit for her brother. It will be very lonely here at home. The puppies are at Elaine's Pet Resort, with Cooper finally getting his training.
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