Woke up to chilly temperatures. We are slowly climbing in elevation and that is a contributing factor. Tucumcari is 4,085 feet and today we head to Santa Fe which is at 7,000 feet. We leave the campground at 7:15, hoping to be in Santa Fe by 10:30. Shouldn’t be a difficult drive.We stopped for a quick breakfast and so we finally arrived at the Land of Enchantment’s state capitol by 11:00. The sky couldn’t be bluer and nary a cloud can be seen. On the way to Santa Fe we saw some breathtaking scenery, with mountains of varying elevations in the distance, most with snow caps.
We stopped in the visitors’ center to get a handle on the area. With walking map in hand, we set out to do some exploring. If you have never been to the Southwest, it takes a bit to get used to the adobe like structures. Expensive, expansive homes are designed adobe style. Low slung lines, smaller windows and the sandstone look abound. Most homes and businesses do not have a blade of grass. Their yards are landscaped with rocks, stones and a few plants that require little water and no care. As a Midwesterner, it seems strange.
The Capitol Building is uncharacteristic as far as capitol buildings go, but it fits in beautifully with the surrounding architecture. The structure is a four story edifice, but the first floor is subterranean. The building itself is in the round. Very different, but lovely. We explored the interior after photographing the outside. Surprisingly, no one frisked us, scanned us, or examined our equipment. The only request was for us to sign in the guest book. We walked around and even visited the Governor’s Office area. We wouldn’t have been surprised to see Governor Bill Richardson step out of his office and offer a “Howdy.”
Once finished with the capitol, we headed across the street to photograph the oldest church, San
Miguel Mission, and oldest home in the United States. It is said that 
European explorers visited this area one hundred years before the Pilgrims landed. An archeological dig was done at the church a number of years ago and over 300 Native American bodies were found. Legend says that they wanted to be close to God when they died.
We took some pictures of a couple eating and shopping establishments and finally the Loretto Chapel. Another beautiful structure. We leave Santa Fe and head to Albuquerque. The two cities are about 60 miles apart and a high-speed rail system transports people between the 
two towns.
The Capitol Building is uncharacteristic as far as capitol buildings go, but it fits in beautifully with the surrounding architecture. The structure is a four story edifice, but the first floor is subterranean. The building itself is in the round. Very different, but lovely. We explored the interior after photographing the outside. Surprisingly, no one frisked us, scanned us, or examined our equipment. The only request was for us to sign in the guest book. We walked around and even visited the Governor’s Office area. We wouldn’t have been surprised to see Governor Bill Richardson step out of his office and offer a “Howdy.”Once finished with the capitol, we headed across the street to photograph the oldest church, San
Miguel Mission, and oldest home in the United States. It is said that 
European explorers visited this area one hundred years before the Pilgrims landed. An archeological dig was done at the church a number of years ago and over 300 Native American bodies were found. Legend says that they wanted to be close to God when they died.
We took some pictures of a couple eating and shopping establishments and finally the Loretto Chapel. Another beautiful structure. We leave Santa Fe and head to Albuquerque. The two cities are about 60 miles apart and a high-speed rail system transports people between the 
two towns.
Albuquerque is a myriad of things. There are natural attractions along with Route 66, historical buildings and 
cultural offerings. We just wanted to get a few things, among them the Petroglyph National Monument. Over 20,000 petroglyphs are located in this area. They are said to be 400 to 700 years old and the symbols are “translated” by the Pueblo Indians. Chiseling away a layer of rock, removing the “varnish”, creates a petroglyph. The drawings sustain centuries of erosion and other weathering. They are remarkable.
Next, we want to photograph the San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town Albuquerque. This church is exquisite and the sandstone color of the building with the white trim is striking against the beautiful blue sky. This is part of the strong Spanish colonial past. The church is on a square. Restaurants, cantinas, shops and outdoor areas surround the square. 
Next, we want to photograph the San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town Albuquerque. This church is exquisite and the sandstone color of the building with the white trim is striking against the beautiful blue sky. This is part of the strong Spanish colonial past. The church is on a square. Restaurants, cantinas, shops and outdoor areas surround the square. 
Before leaving the area, we want to get a couple pictures of Route 66, running through town. This area is known as Nob Hill. Reminds me of downtown Royal Oak. We capture the famous 
Hiway Ho
use Motel (their motto is “Sleep is our business”) as well as an outdoor café called Kelly’s that was created from an old gas station. The eating area is located on the cement area that once had cars driving over as they moved to a gasoline pump. Several pumps are still in place and serve as a separator between eating areas. Now, this is American ingenuity.
Hiway Ho
use Motel (their motto is “Sleep is our business”) as well as an outdoor café called Kelly’s that was created from an old gas station. The eating area is located on the cement area that once had cars driving over as they moved to a gasoline pump. Several pumps are still in place and serve as a separator between eating areas. Now, this is American ingenuity.We leave Albuquerque and head east (yes, east) for our next destination, Roswell. We have to back track a bit as the result of our stop in Santa Fe. Yes, Roswell is supposedly where aliens landed and kidnapped Americans. We’ll have to check that out tomorrow. If you don’t hear from me, you’ll know what happened.
We ended up staying in a 24-hour gas station/restaurant parking lot for the night, as there was not a campground to be found. The money we saved in camping fees, we spent on dinner in the restaurant. What a country.
We ended up staying in a 24-hour gas station/restaurant parking lot for the night, as there was not a campground to be found. The money we saved in camping fees, we spent on dinner in the restaurant. What a country.
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