Good Morning from Sante Fe, NM

After a very much needed sleep from jet lag and bus ride, we were able to rest in a beautiful town called Sante Fe, NM.  We spent the night in the Saint Francis Hotel.  This hotel was just the right spot for our group to be able to explore the downtown, all while feeling like a locals by being able to eat at the local restaurants, and some attending religious ceremonies.  David, Karyn and I took advantage of the location after hearing about all the many things to do from the local waiter at Maria's Mexican Restaurant the evening before (Amazing Mexican Food that one CANNOT miss).
     Sante Fe is a town of about 68,000 according to 2010 Census records and also is the capital of New Mexico.  This town is clearly an artist town, with religion being very prevalent throughout the town.  After speaking with many of the locals it was very well known that artist came here because of the natural beauty (as seen in pictures above), while also the diverse culture of its people.

     We visited a few attractions while there including the Loretto Chapel.  While there is MUCH history behind this beautiful chapel, I have included a small bit of information from Lorettochapel.com website. Please visit the site to see just how beautiful the chapel is, as words cannot describe the beauty inside regardless of what religion one may be.

The Staircase Story:
The Miraculous Staircase, which legend says was constructed or inspired by St. Joseph the Carpenter, was built sometime between 1877 and 1881. It took at least six months to build, and has two 360 degree turns with no visible means of support.

 Top Left  Picture shows fine craftsmanship that went into the Loretto Chapel.  Top Right is town center, where we all enjoyed a cup of Hot Cocoa on a chilly morning. Bottom Left is the staircase that has two 360 degree turns with no visible means of support as described on their website. It's these wonders, that started this trip off to be more than amazing.

Last but not least, we visited the museum of Sante Fe, NM.  Unfortunately due to policy and procedure, no photographs were allowed inside.  The museum was truly well thought out museum with many exhibits and features for all age types. Below is the description of the exhibit description that I enjoyed the most, as I was better able to embrace the local culture and feeling around me.

From: www.museumofnewmexico.orgTelling New Mexico: Stories from Then and Now, the main exhibition of the New Mexico History Museum, sweeps across more than 500 years of stories - from early Native inhabitants to today's residents - with stories told through artifacts, films, photographs, computer interactives, oral histories and more. Together, they breath life into the people who made the American West: Native Americans, Spanish colonists, Mexican traders, Santa Fe Trail riders, fur trappers, outlaws, railroad men, scientists, hippies and artists.
The exhibit is divided into six sections representing chronological periods from the pre-colonial era to the present. Each is set apart by time frames and contrasting views from first-person accounts of the people who lived during the different periods.

"The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land".  ~G.K. Chesterton