Gone Again

Another refreshing trip to Santa Fe and Taos. Food, friends, art, history, scenery, a hundred shades of green from the shimmering aspens through the desert sage and the lofty pine trees, adobe walls, ancient cultures, and magic mountain light. What's not to love?

From the flatlands to the mountains in five hours. In the distance are the mountains surrounding Santa Fe:

The calm and simple decor of the St. Francis Hotel, and two pink gins in their bar.

A divine afternoon break at Kakawa Chocolate.

 http://www.kakawachocolates.com/elixirs.php

Breakfast at Pasqual's, involving a frothy latte, and eggs and corn tortillas smothered in cheese and green chile sauce:

 http://www.railyardsantafe.com/
The old railyard now has some interesting contemporary art galleries, including new, sculptural works by Judy Chicago.

Only one night in Santa Fe then off to Taos to meet up with friends, Doug and Melinda, coming in from Kansas. Checked into the lovely historic Taos Inn. Cozy and right near the square.

We visited to church of St. Francis de Asis at Rancho de Taos, famous for being painted by Georgia O' Keeffe and having its photograph taken by many famous photographers, mostly from the back.

My efforts were a little more pedestrian.

It used to sit in the open outside of town, but since the first time I saw it in the early '80's Taos has gradually grown around it. The even have a Wal-Mart now. Sigh........

The only art I got done:

Then on to the breathtaking Rio Grande Gorge, where people love to stand on the bridge and feel it rumble as trucks drive by, and others love to raft the river between its giant, towering walls. From a distance it is a great gash in the earth that opens west of Taos and continues north to the bridge and beyond.

And of course lots of food, cute bookstore kitties, and a rainbow.

And friends.