19th November 2016. Stunning Santa Fe , New Mexico

We awake and find ourselves in the desert with the most stunning morning and perfect clear skies, snow on the mountains and the birds are still flying about and eating red berries following the recent rains. 

Breakfast is cereal and a cooked breakfast and confirmation of our plans for today.  Most activities in the key Plaza area do not get under way until approaching 10.00am so there is no point in being earlier, but Karen and Sandy want to show us the key areas.  We drive both cars downtown to the Capital building, which is a round building, park and then for the next 45 minutes they give us a drive around Santa Fe including most of the tourist and world famous art precincts of Canyon Road, then back to Plaza place . They then drive us out of town up to the hill where the Museums are located and suggest we visit the Indian Culture Museum later in the day. 

Then back to the city where we are dropped off and we quickly orient ourselves basing the Cathedral and Plaza as the two critical reference points. 

First stop is the Cathedral of St Francis of Assisi, which is another remarkable Catholic Church / Cathedral again superbly decorated inside but most importantly reflect the 400 year history of the Spain influence and rule here. This came as a surprise as we had thought the area was dominated by Mexican philosophy and history, but that is later , whereas the real focus is Spanish and real wealth from the original Spanish settlements. 

We leave the Cathedral at about 11.20am and fir the next 45-60 minutes wander around the Plaza and the artist workshops as well as the street stores in the Plaza (square).  It is just beautiful and on such a superb day cannot ask anymore.   

Lunch was at Angels Bakery and Cafe where Ken had Mexican soup and Tortilla, whilst Jeanette had a Santa Fe burger.  We enjoyed the lunch and we relaxed and rested our feet. After lunch we eventually ride the Santa Fe free shuttle around the town for about 45 minutes, when we eventually found the bus stop. 

This is a small but very beautiful city , easy to get about , with 400 years of colonial history predominantly from the Spanish influence, but more latterly from Mexican and now Southern USA factors. Political life is strongly democratic and liberal in approach and attitude.

From here we return to the Capital building, pick up our car , then drive up through Canyon Road and around to the Museums in the hill overlooking downtown and spend a fascinating 2 hours enjoying our visit to the Indian Culture and Arts Museum, where we take in a wonderful presentation format of the Indian history, particularly the Navajo Indian and their stunning struggle against the Spanish and then the History of their life with the pains and successes under the white mans law. 

Then we drove back to Sandy and Karen's home arriving back at about 4.45pm in time before showering and changing as they gave invited guests for dinner to meet and talk.  At5.30pm we sit down for cocktails.  Sandy with a Manhattan and Karen's drink of lime and vodka.  Jeanette had a soft drink and Ken red wine.

our dinner guests arrived at 6.30pm Bobbie and Doug close neighbours 5 minutes away. We had an enjoyable evening although Doug was really talkative. Bobbie grew up in Sydney and came to the USA to study and has built a successful film distribution business out of LA, but they retired here some 5 years ago.

We enjoyed the evening, although we think  Sandy could have throttled Doug who was very talkative.

Sandy and Karen are great hosts and excellent cooks and have fed us like royalty. Just a great day.