Santa Fe and Snowy Roads

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What a strange and wonderful place Santa Fe is. It's a mix of native american/mexican cultures, with a good dose of posh american spa culture thrown in. And the adobe pueblo architecture makes it unique - every building from drive-thru coffee huts to banks are the same style. They have the only Hilton Hotel I've ever seen with massive garlands of dried chillis hanging from every brown adobe archway.
We walked around the main plaza, poked around the Native American turquoise and silver stalls and CJ entertained us on the bandstand with his rendition of 'IT'S A BANDSTAND SHOW... WOOO'. I contravened our budget regime by ordering a turquoise necklace (oops) and we had a fantastic (new) mexican meal.
The next morning, after picking up the necklace, we headed off in the wrong direction completely, but travelled through some picturesque hill towns along the river Rio before getting back on track. The aim was to arrive at Kayente in Monument Valley before sunset. It was a hard slog through snow-covered ranges and Native American Reservations. I'm ashamed to say I slept through the Apache reservation, but as the Navajo reservation covers most of the width of Arizona, I was able to appreciate that one. And, as Nic found when he asked if there was a bar at our hotel and was told there is no alcohol here, we're still in it. The reservation seems to be made up of many smaller communities, or 'chapters' with central community and youth centres, playgrounds and wig wams.
We stopped at the four corners monument and were curtailed in our 'I just threw a rock across Colorado to Arizona' antics by CJ slipping and hitting his bonce on the concrete. I think he needs some new grippy shoes.
The scenery around here is incredibly beautiful - more on Monument Valley later...

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Photos

Dried chillis
On sale in Santa Fe.

Fajita Stand
Plaza Square

Brekky
Nic has a bright idea at breakfast !?

Snowy Roads
Somewhere between Youngsville and La Jara, New Mexico.

Comments

[Margot]

Turqoise rules OK!!
Hi darling neice. Loving your travelogue. Specially smiled when I read that you bought a turquoise necklace. Remember your Mama was a turquoise nut. Remember her, all dressed in her white trousers and shirt, dripping in turquoise and looking extremely smart. If you like it too, you could well inherit her stash. Keep the news coming. We're watching your progress every day as you get closer and closer to us. Can't wait to see you. Much love to you, Nic and Calvin. Give him a kiss from Gago. m xxxxx

[Mum and Dad Bennett.]

Fantastic Adventures.
You seem to be going where no man has gone before. We are blown away by your descriptions and adventures. We will definately have to make this trip, it sounds fantastic. Poor CJ, his bonce will be all scars and scabs. Maybe a pair of those marvellous cowboy boots would keep his feet firmly on the ground, he would not be able to lift his little feet. Keep the blog coming.