Thursday, September 23, 2010

Our first planned destination ~ Santa Fe, New Mexico!
We arrived to the very pleasing landscape of Santa Fe.
Buildings we saw in Santa Fe were no higher than two stories. All are built, within the city, in the Spanish Pueblo Revival look.
A street to meander down, in Santa Fe. 

Homes and businesses built up into the hills.




We came-We saw- We were amazed- 
       We left feeling sad.

If going to Santa Fe, be sure to go to the Loretta Chapel. 
The stairs is one of the world's unsolved mysteries. 
An unknown carpenter built the stairs with a hammer and wooden pegs. Some concluded the novena (nine day prayer) said by The Sisters of the Chapel, brought St. Joseph himself to the chapel to build and answer the prayers of the Sister. 
The number of stair risers, the unknown wood used, the design, the use of no vertical support rails and the disappearance of the carpenter-without pay-leads to the mystery of the stairs. 
In years to come rails were built
 to support choir members.  
         These stairs are a source of wonderment! 
We did leave feeling sad. There is a loud tape playing/repeating over and over and over.  People were talking loud (probably trying to be heard over the tape), laughing and having no respect for being in the chapel.  When I was in Santa Fe, not so many years ago, the chapel had a different flair.  Respect and reverence would be the feeling I remember. 
Now--not so much.  Sad

Santa Fe is known for art and artists. Various types of art can be seen from one end of town to the other.  We happened to be in town on a weekend with an art fair!  The sight of little white tents set up side by side can get my blood flowing!  We were impressed by the art we were viewing.  A plethora of arts and crafts with a multitude of styles!  
What a fun day to saunter around my favorite city, in our wonderful USA!



Art is to be found everywhere in Santa Fe. 
We toured the city, on an open-air trolley, taking pictures on every street, at every turn. 
Too many pictures to post -so here are a few. 





The large sculpture on the porch of a house was 
most unusual.  A person peering out of a "hole" on the front porch. 







Yes, Santa Fe is full of surprises.  We walked past several large, wooden carvings right next to the Santa Fe River. 










Then there were the colorful
metal sculptures. 
My favorite being the Indian 
maiden swinging the quilt-like 
cape freely in the breeze.


 Where my new Hemp had came from.  It is so cool ~ folds to a small ball ~ pops out to be a great cover-up for a rainy day.  Couldn't take pictures, in the store, but this store had the best posters ever made! We went there twice.  It can be put down as my favorite shop!
http://www.santafehemp.com/aboutnatfib.html
       So long Santa Fe ~~ I will visit you again ~~ soon!