Left at Albuquerque

 Song - South of Santa Fe by Brooks & Dunn

Thursday - April 10

Santa Fe

Enjoyed brunch less than a block from our hotel at Pantry Rio and we sat outside in the cool morning sunshine. We then walked to the Loretto Chapel which claims to have a “miraculous staircase “ with no support.

I lit a candle for a safe journey home

 Next we headed to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi which was closed for a performance but the father let us peek in and take some photos.

Then onto the plaza square with lots of window shopping along the way - (well I may have ducked into a few shops!).

We then walked over to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum which alternates over three thousand of her pieces. 

They even had her famous black dress & hat on display as well as some of her brushes. & pigments. 

After all of that, Mr. B found a bookstore and while he was shopping, I sat at a table and worked on a community puzzle at the bookstore’s coffee shop. What fun. Time to head back to our room so I could download some photos and Mr. B could read his new book. 

For dinner that evening we walked past the square to the La Fonda Hotel and within it our restaurant, La Plazuela. Oh my. 

As soon as I walked in I knew it would be great. 

They had table side guacamole service to your liking, more waiters than customers and a wonderful array of dishes. Every detail was perfect.

 I ordered the PAN-SEARED CHILEAN SEABASS Green Chile Risotto | Sugar Snap Peas | Citrus Beurre Blanc & Asparagus and Mr. B had the Short Ribs with Brie polenta & seasonal vegetables. Both were excellent. We headed home with happy memories and full belly’s. 

Santa Fe

 Song - Tumbling Tumbleweeds by Sons of the Pioneers

Wednesday - April 9

Gallup to Santa Fe

 Mr. B discovered a great cozy cafe in downtown Gallup for breakfast. Jerry’s Mexican Food & they served the most delicious Sopas. 

Everyone in the cafe was  Diné which means - Native American Navajo. At times there was a line out of the door so we were happy to get a booth and enjoy some great food. 

Heading East we crossed the Continental Divide in NM. There were plenty of Mesas along Hwy. 40 with snow topped mountains in the distance and black lava rock along the highway. 

We drove past Milan & Casa Blanca and if I had known they were that close to California, I would have visited long ago!

Checked into hotel Pinõn in Old Town Santa Fe and we finally have a normal size bathroom! Yay!

Walked over to Cafe Pasquel, a restaurant Mr. B found several blocks from our hotel. Small place but great, creative food and service. As we were seated we were served this amazing savory Asiago-Parmesan Seed Crisp. I’m going to try that one at home!  

Walking home we saw a guy parking a very, very old truck. He ended up being a very fastinating guy, dressed in cowboy leathers & hat. Looked like he just got off the set of an Old Western movie. 

Truth was his name is RJ Gibson and he is both an actor and a photographer, but not your regular photographer with a high end portrait camera but an old fashioned 1903 Graflex camera and he does a wet-plate process that dates back to the 1850’s!

Oh, BTW the truck is a spectacular-looking 1934 Dodge Humpback panel truck which he uses for travel, lodging, darkroom and advertising. It has a 1960’s Chevy Camero engine and a 1966 Ford Mustang rear axel. 

After our visit and Mr. B being offered a seat behind the driving wheel, we stopped at our hotel’s bistro/bar to have a glass of wine before bed. We saw a guy eating dinner with a red accordion at his table and I asked him if we missed his gig.  I told him that my dad had played accordion and he said when he finished eating he would be happy to play some more music for us. We had a blast with him. What an incredible guy. He was from Northern Mexico so Mr. B began speaking Spanish with him. They told story after story. He told us not to worry about what was happening in our country right now. The truth was that people like us and him that cared about other cultures and gave other people a hand would take care of this country and its people. And you know what?  I believe him and it’s the first time since the election that I have had a moment of peace……

Land of Enchantment

 New Mexico by Johnny Cash

Tuesday- April 8

Today we are heading North East to Gallup, NM. A dry 4+ hour drive with over an hour road construction delays.

Most homes in the Pueblo community, no mater how modest had Navajo kivas. They are round ceremonial buildings used for meetings and spiritual ceremonies.  We noticed these as we were doing a side trip to Window Rock and the Code Talkers statue. 

Window Rock was important in the creation story of the Navajo, who have an amazing history. Part of their more recent history that is also amazing is that when the Japanese were so good at breaking codes in World War II, the US got the idea of using the Navajo language, which was basically unknown outside of the tribe, as code and was considered a “dying language” for code in radio transmissions. It worked and the Navajos that enlisted, known as “The Code Talkers” saved many thousands of lives. 

 Arrived in Gallup at El Rancho located on Route 66 and settled in. We had a great dinner in the hotel bar where rumor had it that John Wayne rode his horse into the bar & ordered a drink for himself and one for the horse. This hotel was once frequented by many famous people and they have hundreds of photos on the walls, many that were autographed. 

We enjoyed good margaritas and wonderful Mexican food. I am so ready for bed tonight. We heard freight trains rolling through town in the distance all night long. 

Route 66

 Song - Route 66 by Nat King Cole

Monday - April 7

                                 Prong Horn Antelope near Chino Valley

Heading back north to Kristy’s this morning to go further North to the town of William’s on Route 66 for some Mexican food for lunch and a good old chin wag. 

            Mr. B got to meet both Paul Bunyan and Zoltar in the same day!

We had a nice visit during lunch and William’s being on old Hwy 66 was interesting. We went to a tasting bar and I had a half flight of whites, Mr. B had a flight of reds and Kristy had a flight of mixed. It was interesting to hear about Arizona wines. 

Then we walked down the historic Main Street and went through several shops. Mr. bought me some Malachite & silver earrings & a silver bracelet. Headed back to Kristy’s in Chino Valley to meet her neighbor, Monica. At first I was the only one on the porch and she ducked her head around the corner asking who I was.  After introductions were made she said “we don’t worry about robbers but we do worry about wanderers”! PS - It’s a Senior Mobile Home Park!!!  Delightful person. So glad Kristy has her for a neighbor & a friend.

 Mr. B and I headed back to Prescott to freshen up and Kristy came about an hour later so we could have dinner together. We had tried out the bar but the music was too loud so we went into the lobby but there was a golf convention there and that was too loud too so we waited for Kristy outside on a bench. When she arrived, we headed into the Peacock Room for dinner. The bar music was just right in there!  Great dinner & visit. 

The Haunting of Hassayampa

 Take it Easy by The Eagles

Sunday - April 6

                                                   The lobby of the Hassayampa 

Had a tough time sleeping and awoke to people arguing in the hall. Our room is small with windows that don’t open and a bathroom the size of a postage stamp! Headed downstairs for coffee & a slice of cinnamon cake then off to Kristy’s (Mr. B’s sister) in Chino Valley. We were told to watch for two red wagon wheels along the Highway, then a large tree & a pink flamingo and bingo we were there. Had a great visit & tour of Kristy’s home & garden. Oh, and I finally got to meet sweet Uli her Shitzu pup who is 13. 

Headed through the Dells, an amazing rock formation and headed towards Sedona. Kristy knew of a fun place for lunch, The Hudson. While we were waiting for a table I noticed a woman who looked like our future daughter-in-law’s sister. I texted Monica to see if they happened to be at the same restaurant (out of a thousand) and they were! What a surprise! They were in Sedona celebrating her sister’s 30th birthday along with some other friends who also had a birthday! BTW The Hudson had delicious food, amazing views and a lively atmosphere!  

After lunch we headed North to West Oak River Canyon trailhead. Jim & our family came here many years ago to spread his brother’s ashes several miles up the beautiful canyon. 

Kristy wanted to see where her brother’s ashes rested and while we couldn’t do the entire trail we headed up the walk and crossed the stream several times before we turned around and headed back home to Kristy’s house. We had a glass of wine and she presented me with some beautiful silver pieces that belonged to their grandmother, Margaret Boole. I am touched. 

Mr. B and I headed back to Prescott and our magical elevator. A new musician was playing piano in the bar - Lee Stewart. He was great but just finishing up for the night. We had a glass of wine & ordered what we thought was going to be a light dinner  but not so. Again I had a difficult nights sleep. I had heard at the bar that the 4th floor was haunted by….

“A very young bride named Faith Summers who checked into a balcony suite with her much older husband in 1927. According to the story, Faith's husband went out to buy cigarettes and never returned. Faith waited for three days and then took her life in despair” Hummm… not sure I believe in ghosts but there is some kind of vibe going on here but also glad we are not in room 426 where poor Faith hung herself. 

Sleep well tonight my friends!