Road Trippin'

 Yes, we continue on our road trip--we roll through many west Texas towns with names like Slaton, Post, Justiceburg, Littlefield, Sudan, Muleshoe then we hit the New Mexico state line at Clovis, where you can find Cannon Air Force Base.  Onto Fort Sumner (supposedly where Billy the Kid met his fate and is buried)  Wonder if today's kids even know about Billy the Kid!  We don't stop (this time!!) at the Billy the Kid museum--onward to travel--we're anxious to reach our destination--Santa Fe!

We creep up the mountains to altitiude of 7,000 ft.  My, how I've forgotten how this affects your body--no one thinks they are in the high mountain country because the area is a high desert.  

And of course, our first day here--it's raining!  We decide to hit the farmer's market instead of the Indian Market (our real purpose for the visit. SWAIA)  The Farmer's market is just as good-- held at the Railyard area--we finally find a parking spot and venture into the rain drops--oh, so many tables loaded with fresh veggies--and brilliant flowers, and my favorite--roasting chilies!  Ahh, the aroma!  it's that time of the year.

We gather foods for the week. Then head out for lunch at our favorite location--Chocolate Maven!  Here you sit and watch the bakery workers perform their magic on pastry dough--delcious!

Once, we've unloaded our food supply at the hotel, we strike out for Wheelwright museum to meet with artists from various New Mexico tribes.  This is the place to be relish in the luxury of the New Mexico arts.  

Since it is still raining and ugly weather, we are happy to be indoors as we speak with artists about their work.

So many works here!  Nice to meet the artists and talk to them about their pieces. the girls buy a "strong women" piece from Felicia Fragua.  She is well known for her storyteller pottery pieces, of which I have one.

Surrounding all the country side is famous Rabbit brush--a great natual dye.  I'm very familiar with this plant as in past years, I've attended natural dye workshops in the area and this is one plant that dyed a beautiful yellow--best part, it is always right outside the door to pick!

Happy hour is a must at Gruet sparkling winery in downtown Santa Fe--we met up with our friends to enjoy a bubbly before we headed to our evening dinner reservations--Santa Cafe--an open air dining experience!  THank goodness, the rain has let up and we can enjoy the fresh air and good food.

What a way to end our first day in Santa Fe.  Finally, the clouds cleared and we had a perfect day (temp mid 70's) to walk Indian Market--lots of things to see, touch and decide whether to buy or not.

We found our friends at the Indian fry bread food truck!  What luck!  We didn't need to stand in line forever as we joined up with the guys--thank you!  We had a traditional fry bread and a sweet fry bread.

Many in our party hadn't tasted this tasty bread!

In the evening we invited everyone to our humble hotel room for soup and Salad and of course, some bubbly to go around.  A great ending to a good day.

Our Sunday was visiting the vendors in the free market--there were over 1500 vendors at this market and lots of walking was the means of transportation.  Every vendor is juried to sale in the free and major market--you know you're getting good quality work.  

of course, there are some street people with blankets spread out in out of the way places, selling their trinkets--that's what Santa Fe is known for.

Entertainment takes place on every corner of the market.  Lots of native american music, hoop dances, fancy dress singers and music makers.

The day is exhausting for us lowlanders--more next time on the best part of market!!

The fashion shows!!