Monday, Sept. 11 - I caught a cab from Vancouver Cab Company
at 5:30am to Portland International Airport. I was pleased to be leaving
the hot, smoky weather behind. I boarded Alaska Airlines for a
8:00-11:45am flight to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I changed my watch during
the flight to Mountain time. I collected my suitcase and walked to the
Scandia Shuttle desk. I didn't have long to wait. However it seemed
like we walked forever to board the shuttle!
I arrived at the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza Hotel, 100
Sandoval Street about 2:15pm. I was given two bottles of water at
check-in as I am a Hilton Honors member. I waited about an hour in the
lounge area to check into my room but it was worth it. Great location on
the top (3rd) floor overlooking the pool. Spacious and beautifully
decorated. I purchased a sandwich and bottle of apple juice from the
hotel shop for late lunch in my room. My television did not work so I
told the front desk the times I would not be in my hotel room the next day so
they could fix it. I was given a complimentary coupon for two glasses of
wine and a cheese, fruit and crackers plate for the inconvenience which I used
later in the week.
I checked in with the Road Scholar Group leader, Elizabeth
Schroder, and received my folder with the updated schedule. We had
orientation and introductions in the meeting room from 5:00-6:00. Buffet
dinner in the meeting room at 6:30. Interesting group. I was not doing
well at 7,200 ft. above sea level. I went to bed early and slept soundly
until time to wake up at 6:30am.
Tuesday, Sept. 12 - We had a breakfast buffet at 7:30am at
the hotel. The instructor, Elizabeth Schroder, gave a lecture at 8:30 on
the History of New Mexico from its earliest Paleo-Indian inhabitants to the
Spanish settlers and American merchants who followed. We also heard about
Santa Fe which is the oldest state capital in the country. At 10:15 we
departed for a guided walking exploration of the Santa Fe Plaza area including
the St. Francis Cathedral/Basilica, Loretto Chapel (Chapel of Our Lady of
Light) with its amazing spiral choir loft staircase, and a few other sites.
Santa Fe has three main styles of architecture: Pueblo, Territorial and
Northern New Mexico.
We had lunch at Blue Corn Cafe, a local favorite. I
got a large wrap with slaw. I saved half of the wrap and the slaw in my
room refrigerator for a light dinner. We departed via coach from the
hotel for the Indian Arts Research Center at the School for Advanced
Research. We were allowed to see the Pottery collection: Acoma, Laguna,
Santa Ana, Zia, Santa Domingo, Cochiti, Dine and apache, Taos and Picuris,
Tesuque, Santa Clara, Ohkay Owingeh, San Ildefonso, Mojave, Zuni, and Hopi.
My favorite is the Black pottery from the San Ildefonso and Santa Clara
Pueblos.
I went for a walk in downtown Santa Fe to find a couple
geocaches: Santa Fe River Park and SFGT: La Fonda Hotel. I ate the half
wrap and cole slaw left over from lunch and the rest of the apple juice from
the day before for a light dinner. I went to bed early. I fell
asleep watching a television show "America's Got Talent".
Wednesday, Sept. 13 - We had a breakfast buffet at 7:30am at
the hotel. Jerry Rightman, instructor, gave a talk and showed slides on
Georgia O'Keeffe. We walked a few blocks north through Burro Alley to the
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum which holds the largest collection of O'Keeffe works in
the world.
After the instructor led a short tour through the museum I
left to have lunch at nearby cafe, Sweet Lily. I discovered that the
owner had done some geocaching. I had Quiche Lorraine with a green
salad. I sat at a table on the front porch. It was quite
lovely. I visited the O'Keeffe Museum for a couple more hours. My favorites
were Bella Donna, 1939 and Black Hollyhock Blue Larkspur, 1930. I own
three large Georgia O'Keeffe prints.
I walked the few blocks back to the Hilton. We
departed from the hotel at 4:30 for Red Mesa Cuisine in Eldorado. We had
a presentation on Southwest Cuisine led by Chef Dr. Lois Ellen Frank, author of
"Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations" and Chef Walter Whitewater
of Diné (Navajo) Nation, followed by a four-course
dinner. The dessert was Organic Mixed Berry Crisp with whipped cream, and
Chocolate Pinon Torte with Fresh Berries.
Thursday, Sept. 14 - We had an early breakfast buffet at
7:00am at the hotel. I requested that they unlock the doors to our
breakfast room. The Coach departed for Taos at 8:00am. We visited
Taos Pueblo for an hour and half. Taos Pueblo has a certain mystic from
afar that it does not have up close.
We had lunch at Gutiz restaurant in Taos. I had a
Bacon, lettuce & tomato on a fresh baguette with a side of homemade
mayonnaise. Served with a side of Gutiz potatoes. Very disappointing.
We visited the Millicent Rogers Museum. In 1956,
the youngest son Paul Peralta - Ramos founded the Millicent Rogers Museum in
Taos. The museum houses a large collection of Native American, Hispanic, and
Euro-American art, with a specific emphasis on northern New Mexico and Taos
pieces. It first opened in a temporary location in the mid-1950s, later moving
to its permanent location in the late 1960s, a home built by Claude J. K. and
Elizabeth Anderson, close friends of Millicent Rogers. Fascinating
place. Rogers initials are carved into the door frame of the original
entrance, which is located in Gallery 11.
Afterwards we had independent exploration of the historic
district near Taos Plaza. I got a cup of ice cream and sat on the bench
in front of the store talking to two men. I walked quite a ways to
the Kit Carson Memorial Cemetery where I found a geocache: The New Mexico
Challenge - Taos Country. I photographed Kit Carson's headstone.
About 4:00 we departed for Santa Fe, stopping for a brief
photo opportunity at San Francisco de Asis Mission Church on the way. This
Spanish Colonial adobe building is one of the best known and most photographed
churches in New Mexico. We had dinner at Santa Fe Bar and Grill in Santa
Fe. I had the Vegetarian Baked Lasagna (I prefer ground beef) and Mexican
Flan for dessert. Dinner was followed by a return to the hotel.
Friday, Sept. 15 - We had a breakfast buffet at 7:30am
at the hotel. We had presentation by Ronald Roybal of flute music.
I was disappointed that he did not play the Spanish Classical guitar. We
departed for the Meow Wolf Arts Complex at 10:00. The place is a real
hoot!
We boarded the bus at 11:30 to depart for lunch destination
at Maria's New Mexican Kitchen. The service and meal was a disaster. The
only thing I loved was the complimentary sopapilla which was incredible. Thick
but billowy, sprinkled inside with honey it made my lunch enjoyable after all.
After lunch we departed for Museum Hill for a visit to the
Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. We departed for the hotel about
4:00. I went for a long walk to find some geocaches: Guadalupe Shrine,
Zandi 5 (a Virtual) and Veterans' Services Memorial. I photographed San
Miguel Mission. Back at the Hilton I used my complimentary coupon for
cheese, crackers and fruit with Chardonnay wine for dinner.
Saturday, Sept. 16 - We had a breakfast buffet at
7:30am at the hotel. We took a field trip to parts of the High Road to
Taos. We visited Chimayo. The Chimayó valley is a verdant oasis
extending from the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the expanse
of the Rio Grande valley. The name Chimayó itself is from the Tewá Indian
language meaning superior red flaking stone.
We visited El Santuario de Chimayo, a Roman Catholic
church. We visited Centinela Traditional Arts weaving gallery.
Years ago I had purchased a stunning rug but ended up backing out of the
deal. We had lunch at Rancho de Chimayo, a charming restaurant
housed in an old hacienda. After lunch we traveled to Pojoaque where we
visited the Poeh Cultural Center. I saw a plethora of pots! I
purchased a small clay cat (Musa). Afterwards we departed for the
hotel. Buffet dinner and closing comments. I am just getting over
Altitude problems and now it is about time to head home.
Sunday, Sept. 17 - We had a breakfast buffet at 7:30am at
the hotel. This was the last meal included in the Road Scholar
program. I was picked up at 8:00 by Al and Nola Funk (ACFunk). I
hosted an Event at Tribes Coffee House, 3470 Zafarano Drive. Great
turnout! Afterwards the Funks took me to a Virtual and then back to the
Hilton. I stopped at the Lensic Performing Arts Center to get Symphony
tickets for the afternoon concert. I walked to the Plaza where I had
lunch at the Plaza Cafe. There was a Santa Fe Vintage Car Club Rally on
the Plaza. I attended the pre-concert talk at 3:00 at the Lensic
Auditorium.
The Santa Fe Symphony's 34th season kicked off with Van
Cliburn gold medalist, Yekwon Sunwoo, performing with the full orchestra.
Sunwoo, who has shared stages with Perlman and Marin Alsop, came to Santa Fe
fresh from his Van Cliburn competition victory to perform Brahms’s
four-movement epic, the Piano Concerto No. 2. The afternoon’s performance
concluded with Elgar’s intimate and complex Enigma Variations, a
Romanticist tribute to the composer’s friends and family.
I had an Almond Croissant and Earl Grey tea at 6:00 at
Starbucks near Santa Fe Plaza. I sat at the front window watching street
life.
Monday, Sept 18 - I was given a complimentary full breakfast
at the hotel. I wandered over to the Plaza where I looked at Native
jewelry under the portal at the Palace of Governors. Back at the hotel I
checked out of my room. I contacted a Lyft driver. He took me to
the Capital Station. I rode the Rail Runner to Albuquerque. I took
the bus shuttle to the airport. I had a light meal of Granola and Yogurt
with a Brownie for dessert at Black Mesa Coffee Co. cafe before going through
security. My flight arrived in Portland about 8:00. I took MAX
light rail and C-Tran home. Long day. Even though it was cold and
rainy it was so good to get home!
