Our take through the lens of Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe, New Mexico is the crossroads for good food, art work and awesome sunsets. There are 14 exceptional museums and historic monuments for the cultural experience of those that are interested and in addition, Santa Fe is teeming with shopping and rich in history. Santa Fe is the oldest Capitol City in the United States turning 400 in 2009.

Donna with her water bottle ready to take in the sights and sounds of Santa Fe and lunch too.

The New Mexico History Museum that opened in 2008 is devoted to exploring New Mexico history through new research and recent insights of curators, artists, collections managers, educators, historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, and ethnohistorians --work that will inspire lines of inquiry and exhibitions for years to come. We learned our history lesson that day.Our favorite RV Park in Santa Fe perched on a mesa with a 360 degree view. The park is family owned by Florence-Ruth Brown and was originally homesteaded in 1935. She was born in Santa Fe, her family was originally from Illinois.

Our coach sitting on her pad in Zinnia 2. Note the clouds and the sky. This is the best place to view sunsets that we have found.

This is a Spanish Broom plant growing at the entrance of Santa Fe Skies. It has been widely introduced into other areas, and is regarded as a noxious invasive species in places such as California and Oregon.

In Bolivia, the plant is known as retama, and has become very well established in some areas. It is one of the most common ornamental plants, often seen growing along sidewalks in La Paz. Under the Spanish influence, those cultures have adopted the belief that retama can be used to ward off evil. Sprigs of flowering retama are often kept in the home, and street vendors will often lay a flowering branch of retama on top of their booths when they close up shop for the night.

One of the most colorful stores in Santa Fe.

The Native American Artisans Program under the portal on the Plaza brings many forms of talents in jewelry, pottery, leather work and sand paintings. These artisans must pass a rigorous examination of their works authenticity. More than 4,000 artisans have qualified for the 70 available spots, which are determined by a daily lottery. These are members representing 23 Nations of Native Americans.

The central meeting place in Santa Fe is the Plaza.

The Saint Francis Cathedral was built between 1869 and 1886 and designed in the French Romanesque Revival style. Although its design contrasts the surrounding adobe buildings, the cathedral remains one of Santa Fe's most celebrated landmarks.

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI officially elevated the church to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Historic La Fonda on the Plaza has been described as “the essence of the city’s exuberant soul. It’s architecture, history, furnishings and ambiance reflect the evolution of the city and the Indian, Hispanic and Anglo cultural mix unique to the region.”

When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small Chapel.

Legend says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man (an ad even ran in the local newspaper) and finding no trace of him, some concluded that he was St. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters' prayers.

The stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent structure. The design was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex experts today.

Moving away from the historical sights, It's time for some R & R, we went for our ice cream fix.

She's ready to do it...

Castro's Restaurante, 2811 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM. In our view, the best New Mexican food in town and at reasonable prices. Favorite spot of the locals.

Blue corn taco and enchilada, side of rice and beans.

vegetarian enchilada with pinto beans $7.00

Castro's has the largest sopapillas in Santa Fe. Drizzle the honey on it and go for it. This comes with the meal at no charge.

My favorite, flat New Mexican enchilada with green chili and egg on top $7.00 + 1.00 for the egg.

These mountains are prevalent around the Ghost Ranch.

We filled our eyes for the day and found our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

And the best sunsets anywhere.

What a way to end the day. "Hasta la vista" from Santa Fe.