July 1st had come and gone and suddenly we found ourselves without responsibilities and so decided to travel. While Houston was not a destination, we found ourselves with this food
at Bullrito's
where this was the menu
as we waited for our flight to Albuquerque
which was also not our destination but the airport had this nice statue
and were welcomed
so that we could collect our rental car and head to the Inn of the Governors in Santa Fe
where Jeff showed up
and posed with Suzanne
and then took these pictures of us
before we explored the menu at Del Charro
and had a 3 margarita toast
admiring also the containers
as our food came
and so we could admire the empties
and the lemon from my water before going off the explore.
There were signs explaining various sentiments
and the historic palace of the governors, oldest capital in North America
before we took this selfie
before going to the famous church
and admiring the history of the neighborhood around the square
which has 400 years behind it
and then this artistically decorated car
as we admired the Santa Fe trail end point
and closed the evening with one final photo.
Next morning, this was my breakfast
and Suzanne's
and here was Suzanne
and here I was
as we walked past this manhole cover
and then I took these photos for the license plate collection
as we came to the elephants (at the inn of the seven graces)
and we followed the sign to the oldest house
stopping to admire San Miguel's church
as we made our way
and colelcted another license plate for the collection
before we came to the oldest house which was unfortunately closed.
SO, we went back to San Miguels'
and saw the bell which was either from 1356 or 1856
and the milagros attached to its frame. These are images one brings when praying for a miracle.
I admried the front of the church
and the ceiling
and a crucifix
while Suzanne sat to take in the scene
and we admired angels
who were described
and a sign explaing the music (which unfortunately was not playing)
and after another crucifix
and the prayer to St. Gertrude
I recorded these maps of the area
took a final picture of the church
and then Suzanne rang the bell so that we could depart
and follow the Santa Fe trail
to this remarkable work of sculpture which lists names of tribes that have disappeared but is otherwise left by the artist for your interpretation
and then after a picture of Bronson Cutting
and the state seal
we entered the state capital
where they have a sunroof instead of a dome
and admired a bust
and the history of the state's constitution
before going up a floor and getting a clear view of the seal
as wella s this piece of art, of which there were many impressive works,
and the buffalo
about whom this story is told
so that we had to focus on the horns.
I got this sign for the collection
and then this furniture in the shape of conestoga wagon
and a final work of art
before we passed the jalapeno's truck
and this sculpture of a face called hope
and then an art store that added its glass works to its garden
and the sculpture of the boy reading his book
as we marked the Santa Fe trail
and the preeching of St. Francis to the birds
plus this remarkable church sign for the collection.
After another license plate for the colelction
we captured some sculpture
as we walked down Canyon road stopping for a rest
and then seeing some more art
before arriving at the Compound
where this license plate was for the collection
and after the entry
we sat under a pink canopy which tinted the menu
the bread
Jeff
and Suzanne
my soup
and macaroni and chesse
and their salads
before I took another license plate for the collection
and this sign for the collection which was unclear
and then tthis lovely piece of art
before we went to the garden
and Suzanne sat
and admired the flowers
as Jeff used his phone.
Back in town, we came across a party for someone's 15th birthday with amazing clothing
and then this great piece of art before taking a rest period.
Afterwards, we headed to Jeff's building
and another license plate for the colelction
before recording his apartment number
the lights on his porch
and Suzanne
admiring the foods he served.
Next, we went to dinner at Maria's cantina
where this was our waiter
our margaritas
with which we toasted
the pizza Mexicana
and huevos rancheros
the flautas
and my clean palte which ended the evening and left me feeling over full.
We were a bit adjusted to the altitude and to the time change and so breakfast on the second day was good
and accompanied by the daily paper
befpre we drove on to the high road to Taos and stopped at the Santuario de Chimayo
recording a few license plates for the collection
before taking in the view
and recording the locale
and the signs which appeared slightly contradictory
as we studied the map
and thanked our saviors
as many had done before us
before we came upon this sculpture that was open to many interpretations
and then saw our lady of peace to whom many pennies had been offered.
These were all the people we were to be praying for along with offerings
including this
and the many candles being lit
as we approached Leona's restaurant
and then were exposed to the holy water (for which containers were sold at the gift shop along with containers for the holy dirt which could not be photographed,
Next we came across the base of this statue
and the statue itself where we were to be photgraphed later
but first we had to see the church exterior
and then we could be photographed
along with the side wall of the rest rooms.
We saw the historical marker
and then walked into the town where we were greeted with this message, a sign for the collection
accompanied by chiles
and another place that also sold chiles (but both were closed)
though the store that sold woodcarving popsicls was open
as we made our way back to the sanctuary and saw the saintess of Vietnam
before exploring the other statues
and then these structures which represent the seven days of creation.
Driving north, we came to the town of Las Trampas
which ahd a remarkable church
dating back to 1760
though this grave stone was more recent
but the church required more photos
even as we explroed the grounds
and saw the closed taste of Trampas
and so after a final photo
we headed on to Taos where we first visited the rest rooms
and then captured the broad scene there
including this structure in the cemetary
as we were welcomed
and so explroed the church
and captured many views of the pueblo
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After a break we went to dinner at the Casa Chimayo where the musicians were a little stiff
though Jeff was amused
as was Suzanne
as drinks were served
the menu was studied
and the guacamole arrived
along with homemade chips
and salsa
and these condiments for the fajitas
as my huevos racheros arrived
to the amusement of our waiter
as the fajita ingredients arrived.