Santa Fe, NM

Early the next morning we go to the Santa Fe Farmers Market located downtown by the train station.

Water tower at Santa Fe Rail Yard

Road Runner Express

Great day for an open air Farmers Market

Lots of booths and shoppers

A short drive brings us to Canyon Road where we wander around the many art galleries.

Love this giant happy pig

Wilford Gallery is a favorite

We all get a big laugh out of this dragon

Later, we move on to the main Santa Fe Plaza where a vintage car show is underway.

Fancy set of wheels

Drag racer

This Saab looks like a Porsche

We stop for lunch at the Thunderbird Bar and Grill overlooking the Plaza.

El Molero fajitas stand does a good business

Bloody Marys are excellent

View of car show from our table

After lunch we continue to explore the downtown where we meet some of the locals.  One native man and his friend are planting corn in a small plot in front of a gallery that carries his black pottery. Long before the Spaniards arrived in the 1500's, his family had lived in this area for many generations and each spring he carries on the centuries long tradition of planting corn.

Local lady and her dog

Local man instructs Jill on planting corn

and blesses us all before planting.

Man and his friend start planting corn

Carefully covering the seeds

Even I plant a few kernels

The Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi is the oldest church in Santa Fe.  It was first built in 1610 (when Santa Fe was established) by Franciscan Friars. The current cathedral was built in 1887.
Although not the largest or the oldest church in Santa Fe, the Loretto Chapel has the most interesting legend behind it's unusual spiral staircase. Little is known about who built it, the type of wood used, and how it manages to stand without any visible means of support. The chapel is now under private ownership and is a popular wedding venue.

Speaking of weddings, Jill and Mark show us where they got married in the courtyard of the Inn and Spa at Loretto. Humm - sounds like they might be a part of the Loretto Chapel. The other main hotel in Santa Fe is the La Fonda.  They have stayed in both and here is what Jill had to say about comparing the two (should you be interested):

Both have excellent restaurants. La Fonda is old and the rooms are old fashion. The Inn at Loretto is new, swank, has an expensive spa. La Fonda has (had?) great live music and dancing (Texas 2-step). We like the rooms at the Loretto, but hung out at the bar and dance floor at La Fonda. They are a block apart.

They were married in front of this statue

Peter, Jill and Enzo in front of the Inn at Loretto

Ahhh - nice place to get married

As the day winds down, we all could use some relaxation and check out the Ten Thousand Waves spa. Unfortunately, they are booked up so we'll have to come back another time.