Thursday, September 21, 2017

Santa Fe and Taos, September 11 - 17, 2017

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! 

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