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We left Albuquerque and headed to Santa Fe. We like this kind of driving, it took only a little over an hour to reach Santa Fe. Unfortunately when we got there, we were in for a bit of disappointment in the campground. It was not very attractive and it didn’t have much in the way of facilities but it was the highest rated in town (which tells you not a lot of RV’s and campers stay in Santa Fe). We pretty much got the car loaded and headed downtown to join my parents, aunts and uncles for lunch near the Plaza. The town is really pretty but very pricey. Would you believe you have to pay for chips and salsa everywhere in town! It is un-American (or at least Un-Mexican or Un-New Mexican). The food was nouveau New-Mexican or what they tried to tell us was more authentic than everywhere else. Kind of interesting...
While Ed worked in the afternoon, the Ives gaggle toured the Plaza, the churches, but mostly the shops and vendors. The kids had a great time at an art stand and drew pictures for awhile. Danielle had a ton of questions for Aunt Sheryl in the
St. Francis Cathedral. Jacquelyn shopped for her birthday present with Grandma Sasi. Lori looked for a warmer shirt. I should mention that the temperature was outstanding. Cool and crisp for a long sleeve and shorts. It was a great change from Albuquerque. Nights were even cooler and we ended up using the heat in the RV every night as the temperature traveled into the 50’s every night.
We ate a fancy dinner at the Pink Adobe and the food was excellent. Of course, in the middle of dessert, a tremendous bolt of thunder erupted and the power went off. None of us had umbrellas and the rain was COLD. I jogged back to my car and shuttled folks around but the entire downtown did lose power for a bit. Funny part of this is that it has rained on us just about every day in New Mexico. We had a small thunderstorm on Sandia Mountain, we had afternoon rains for two days in Albuquerque, and we had this thunderstorm in Santa Fe. I think the folks in NM must like us.
The next day was the mountain bike trip for Ed, Dad, and Uncle Ira (see Ed’s blog
below). Mom and I took the kids up Canyon Road to all of the galleries. It was a lot of fun and the kids really appreciated the art. They looked at all of the sculptures and pictures and really liked the galleries. I was impressed with their attention and appreciation.
Ed and I got to meet a friend of a friend for lunch while the rest of the folks took off to Bandelier National Monument. It was quite impressive. Ed and I explored the downtown area and then dinner and then sleep again (funny how that happens).
Ed here.
Went real mountain biking on one of the Bull run trails about 2 miles outside of Santa Fe. We rode for 2 miles on the streets through Santa Fe, with the latter part being up hill to get to the trails. Have you ever looked down into a large ditch and said, “I would not like to fall in there or even drive a jeep in there?” Well, we went in. First thought is, “What the hell am I doing this for?” Whew weee! Being my first attempt with no experience other than on a road bike
was rather unnerving, but also a rush. I am hooked! It was sand, rocks, or should I say boulders winding and weaving through a dried up river bed. Lucky we did have a guide. Found out going up a hill, you stay seated and shift your body weight forward and spin fast in the granny gear or fall. Again, what a rush! I look forward to doing this more.
As for Santa Fe, it is very nice here. I like the architecture, the weather, and the access to hiking, biking, and snow skiing. Restaurants are great.
Overall, I feel the RV gives us the access to do these things, but you must pull a car to increase the access. The Saturn VUE has worked nicely for this. I do not think staying in a hotel affords you the same opportunities. You can bring your ‘stuff’ with you, and do we have stuff. Lori is a great organizer, everything in a tote, and where it should be. The RV could always be larger, but for our family I think it is the right size for a start. It has everything a house does. There is less to go wrong
in the simpler version that we have and it is on a van frame. This makes it easier to drive.
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