Santa Fe, New Mexico

We drove just one hour to Santa Fe today.  It is a windy, sunny, and chilly day here.  We stopped on the way to change into our jeans at a rest area.  Then we drove to the Palace of the Governors.


This may be the Palace of the Governors, or it may be a building nearby. (poor photo labeling by me)


 We toured the palace, which is mostly looking at the building and learning about
the history of events there and how the archeologists uncovered the history.


This is the daily scene at the palace.  Ever since 1610 Indian artists have displayed
and sold their wares in this veranda.

We toured the New Mexico History Museum next.  It is the newest museum in Santa Fe.  The history is told chronologically. The battles between every constituency claiming the land and the mistreatment of native peoples is detailed.  This is the story of powerful and also ordinary; people who want to conquer and people who want to raise families. Some stories stay with me more than others.  The forced movement of Apaches and Navajo off their lands and the many disastrous decisions that brought death and destruction to the tribes are overwhelming to read.

We took a break for lunch at a café on Museum Hill recommended by Anne Murff, who has visited Santa Fe many times.  Then we visited the Georgia O'Keefe Museum.  I learned more about one of my favorite artists.


Hollyhocks outside the museum.

We were beat and found our airbnb casita in the Agua Fria Village on the Camino Real. The village is
one of the first villages built when the Spaniards conquered Santa Fe. The area is rural yet right in the city.


The casita has two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, living room and hall.


Note the charming arched entrance.

It is well furnished except for one problem - no heat.  I texted our host, who lives next door, and he came over to light the burner.  He could not get the heat going.  I could tell it was a lost cause after he used about ten matches, and we did not hear or smell any gas.  He said he'd never lit it before.  "I'm from California," he explained sheepishly.  Oh, Lord.  I said,"We will be ok."  We are fine, but it is chilly. The temp will go down to 40 tonight.  We will be wearing socks and snuggling.

It's all part of the adventure.