Traveling Teachers!: The Land of Enchantment...New Mexico!

It was getting towards evening when we entered into New Mexico. We knew that we were not going to make it all the way to Santa Fe like we had planned. But that's the great thing about a cross country road trip where you have no hotel reservations...you can stop wherever you want! We found the first major town...well it wasn't exactly a major town. The travel book described it as being 2 blocks wide and 2 miles long. But it did have a ton of motels and we would get to stay overnight on the historic Route 66. So we pulled into Tucumcari. The hotel we checked into had a pool and a hot tub...yeah! We went to dinner in the hotel and there was ostrich on the menu. I asked the waitress if it tasted like chicken. She told us that it actually tastes like steak. I thought about ordering it, but went with the tacos instead. But the next morning mom came back to the room after visiting the front desk. She purchased an ostrich egg and feather. More random souvenirs to add to the back of the car!

The next morning I got up early to go for my morning jog. I've been jogging every morning in a different location each time and writing the location on my shoes. So when I get back I will have jogged across the country! While I was on my jog, it started to sprinkle, but at the same time the sun was shining. As I was looking around me, I saw a full rainbow! Pretty amazing experience! As we drove out of Tucumcari, here are some shots of the view and an old motel that is one of the oldest running motels. Yes, that one sign says "$3 and up!"

Now it was time to head to Santa Fe! Here's a picture of the view along the way.

We arrived at Santa Fe and drove towards the center where the old downtown is with a central plaza area. We decided to treat ourselves and stay at a place we found called Hotel St. Francis. It is rated as one of the top 50 hotels in the world! The rooms are decorated in a 1920s style. Here are some pictures of the hotel and room.

That night we walked to the plaza area which was like a little park. Turns out it was the opening night for their outdoor concert series. We listened to the mayor of Santa Fe and then a band came on and played. All kinds of people were there having picnics, dancing, visiting, relaxing, it was such a great environment! I liked the shirt that this guy was wearing so I couldn't help taking his picture!

After the concert we walked to a restaurant called the Cowgirl Hall of Fame! All over the walls were pictures of various cowgirls. Yee haw! We had dinner and watched some interesting people sing karaoke.
The next morning we walked down the street to the oldest church in the country. It was called the San Miguel Mission and was built in the 1610! The man working inside told us that a legend said, "Ring the bell at San Miguel, bring the spirits back to Santa Fe." So of course I had to go inside and ring the bell!

Here's a picture of the oldest house in the US. It was next to the church.

And some pictures of what we saw while walking through the streets of Santa Fe...

Next we walked over to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum. She was a famous abstract painter from New Mexico whose paintings were influenced by the beautiful scenery around her. The museum was showing a special exhibit of O'Keefe's paintings and Ansel Adams photography. He was also influenced by the unique surroundings. They wouldn't let us take pictures inside, but here are some pictures of the outside. Santa Fe is actually a very popular spot for artists. There are all sorts of museums and galleries displaying the artists' creations.

I did not want to leave Santa Fe! I think it may have been my favorite city so far. Before we left we ate a delicious lunch on a rooftop cantina. Even mom's salad was a work of art!

Sadly, I said goodbye to Santa Fe. Even though I wanted to stay, I knew we had one more important stop in New Mexico. I insisted on going to Albuquerque to go to the Rattlesnake Museum! I had read that you got a certificate of bravery for going in the museum and visiting the largest collection of rattlesnakes in the world!!! Mom was not too excited about that plan! Before we went in the museum, we did see an interesting shop which mom posed in front of...very creative store name...

And here are the pictures from the Rattlesnake Museum. There were snakes, snakes and more snakes! Plus there were some extra creatures there as well. YIKES!