Albuquerque ... Skimming the Surface

The plaza in Albuquerque's old town

So many damn trucks on the road -- much busier this afternoon that it was earlier this morning. I'm really happy to have the GPS, a gift to Bob from his boys a number of years ago. After  using it half-heartedly for a couple of years, I've finally mastered it. I love this technology! I always know the day's destination and "via points", distances, time remaining, ETA, elevation etc. And the GPS is a lifesaver when arriving at an unfamiliar destination.

Entertainment in the plaza

It guided us from I25 to I40, the freeways that cross Albuquerque's downtown, and off at the right exit so that we were only a couple of blocks from the old city. By the time we arrived, we were both really hungry and followed our guidebook's suggestion of the Church Street Cafe for lunch. Bob had a ham and cheese sandwich on a croissant, with an excellent coleslaw. I chose a breakfast meal, my favorite huevos rancheros, served with both red and green chili on the side.

San Felipe de Neri

After lunch, we walked across the street to one of the oldest churches in North America, San Felipe de Neri. It's on the National Register of Historic Places and, while lovely, it needs an awful lot of work. I wonder who will be able to manage all the restoration.

There was much more to see but by the late afternoon we were both tired and eager to put on a few miles. We got back on the road and drove for a couple of hour to Gallup, NM. I've been dealing with photos and Facebook since we checked in ... and it's now time to call it a night.

Santa Fe Old Town

St. Francis Cathedral. Oasis on a hot day.

I feel catatonic this evening as I try to blog about the day's events. It's extremely hot and the sun is unremitting, day after day, hour upon hour. I feel I can't do justice to the beauty of the day but I'll try anyway.

We decided to visit Santa Fe, which was not on our original itinerary. Just the old town, a small area packed with the history of the area. The air was pleasantly warm by the time we arrived in Santa Fe in mid-morning. We ambled around the market, full of the usual vendors, but with a southwestern flavor. We're not shoppers, so we didn't seriously look at anything, though I was tempted by some of the fabrics and jewelry.

Love the colors of St. Raphael's shield

St. Francis Cathedral was easy to find, beautiful gardens in both shade and sun. I wasn't overwhelmed by the beauty of the church, except for the Stations of the Cross and perhaps the high altar. I lighted a couple of candles for family and friends. I didn't visit the Blessed Sacrament Chapel -- didn't feel comfortable in shorts. The church was wonderfully cool and I could have spent more time there, but a wedding party was gathering and, well, it was time to leave.

Santa Fe market fabrics

We stopped for coffee at the French Pastry Shop, where Bob had "St. Michael's cake", a delicious confection that he generously shared with me. By the time we finally got a map of the area, we were sweating in the midday sun and had pretty much had enough, so I missed the famous staircase in Loretto Chapel. It was fun to walk through Fort Marcy Park, where the Cross of the Martyrs overlooks the city.

The old town is so congested that it was hard to get out of there! We left in the early afternoon for Albuquerque, an easy hop on I-25.

Rattlesnake Country

When we finally got out of the car yesterday, I started thinking about rattlesnakes and kept my eyes cast downward, to make sure I didn't step on one sunning itself in the burning heat. I thought about the International Rattlesnake Museum in Albuquerque and made a mental note not to visit this popular attraction. I actually know several people who have been bitten by rattlers, so I really do feel the need to be vigilant.

I couldn't resist looking up "rattlesnakes of New Mexico". Seven different kinds. There will be no stepping into the sagebrush to get a good picture.