A Day On The Santa Fe Plaza

The Santa Fe Raptor Center displayed both the Pygmy Owl and this Red Tailed Hawk at the entrance to the Keshi store. The Santa Fe Raptor Center assists in the rehabilitation, release and preservation of New Mexico’s native wild birds. The Raptor Center’s special focus is on the treatment of injured and orphaned birds of prey. It was delightful to be so close to such a big bird!!

Red Tailed Hawk


The only objective that Chris had to achieve in Santa Fe was a visit to the Keshi store. All else was a 'happen as it may' event. Chris loves traditional Zuni fetishes. Zuni fetishes have many uses and much is written on the internet for you to peruse if you have any interest.

Entrance to Keshi, A Zuni Fetish Shop


Keshi


Chris spent over two hours in the store. So many things to look at and read. And most of the items are very small so it took quite some time. But no complaints from Luna or I.

The owners were very helpful and let Luna hang out inside the shop being her usual delightful self. She was (as always) very well behaved, lying down most of the time. She did occasionally try to practice being the 'official shop greeter' but I nipped that in the bud most of the time. A well behaved dog is a welcomed dog. And most of the time, a well behaved dog means a lying down dog. Cool air and cool flooring is always better than being outside and hot.

I highly recommend a stop at Keshi if you are visiting the Santa Fe plaza area.

We spend quite a bit of time walking around. I didn't realize how the plaza is really a number of blocks wide and not just around the church area.

I didn't get any pictures of traditional Native Americans with their jewelry and wares spread on a blanket while sitting in the plaza. They have a daily 'lottery' for which vendors will be allowed to display. Who knew that was how the spaces were allocated?

The area was very busy and I was more concerned with Luna's small paws not being crushed under foot. Very, very busy. We did find places of rest however.

Luna and I


The plaza church is a old and beautiful building.

Cathedral Church of San Francis of Assisi


We were lucky in our timing that a Vespers & Procession from Cathedral Basilica to Rosario Chapel, which happens twice a year, happened right when we were in that area of the plaza. It seems they move the Madonna from the church to the graveyard now, and then back to the church at a later date.

Procession


Santa Fe was fun. And hot. And too many people. I think the wintertime would be more enjoyable for wandering. In addition, while we were told by many that it was dog friendly -- and many of the stores were, it was very, very difficult to find an outside patio that would allow Luna entrance. NONE in fact.

The only place we could find was the Atomic Grill which allowed us to sit at a table in the main walkway off of the patio. At least it had shade and they brought Luna water first thing without us even asking. As a bonus, their Green Chili Toastados were GREAT!!!

Then there are the doors of Santa Fe. I love doors. I loved many doors in India. Santa Fe has some great doors too.

Santa Fe Door


“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”
--Saint Augustine

The Beginning....

A good trip always starts somewhere. And while mine usually start in the living room with all manners of bag packing, the start across a state line is usually more interesting to report.

This winged beings are always the beginning or the end of a eastern directed road trip for me. While I call them the 'Guardians of Hoover Dam,' their real moniker is 'Winged Figures of the Republic.'

Not only are they 32-foot bronze works of art, additionally the floor upon which they stand is a 'star map' of our universe. If you haven't walked beneath them and experienced our universe at your feet, you should make a stop and do so.

"The monument's terrazzo floor, which paid homage to the Native American heritage of the surrounding land, holds a celestial map pinpointing the precise astronomical time--September 30, 1935, 8:56 p.m.--when President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the dam."

The Hoover Dam Guardians.


Sigh. Big sigh. The southwest desert landscape is always beautiful to me. Even the barren Nevada desert plains. But the classical mesa topped areas of the southwest inspire a deep sigh from somewhere within my soul. I often feel like I can finally relax out in that openness. My shoulders drop and I feel at home.

The southwest out of my car window.


This is a road trip with my friend Chris. She is going to a 'writers' conference' at the Ghost Ranch just outside of Santa Fe, NM. I'm along for the ride to help drive, drop her off at the GR, visit some friends, pick her up at the GR, and return home.

So it begins. One the way up, we stayed at the Sage Inn in Santa Fe. It was very nice and very clean. We had a very fun and delicious dinner at Tomasita's.

Me at Tomasita's.


Chris at Tomasita's.


We liked Tomasita's so much we tried to go back Sunday night. But they were closed!! Most of Santa Fe dining seems closed on Sunday night. Strange for such a touristy spot.

At the Santa Fe Plaza there was more than retail. A small shady spot showcased a few incredible birds. This little guy was rescued and now living with a raptor rescue group. I don't remember what type of owl he is. Pygmy?

All of six inches sleeping.


More of my trip will follow. Blogger, BlogThis, and Picasa no longer make loading more than four pictures per post an easy thing to do. So, I'm back-posting. Picking a few pictures and writing a story then loading them with the dates they happened.

I'll post more of the trip tomorrow. Please stop back.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."

--Marcel Proust