These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Day Trip .... Santa Fe!



I'm happy to report that Santa Fe is alive and well. And still intact, for the most part, after our day trip!

I was very tired when I got home last night, especially in my lower back. I was on my feet atop concrete for a greater part of the day than is normal with me. However, it was well worth it!

We had decided to eat lunch at El Farol, a delightful restaurant on Canyon Road. If you're familiar with Santa Fe, yo know that Canyon Road is THE art district of the city, although you see art everywhere you turn. When we arrived Pearl, Linda and I visited a number of the galleries near the restaurant, while we passed the hour before we were to meet my friend Enid, who lives there. I did not take pictures inside the galleries. Most of them have posted signs forbidding that, and I respect it, although the gallery I worked in for a while did allow it. Therefore, you will be seeing just what was outside. That's actually good because I would have to post at least 400 pictures if I'd shot everything that captured my eye inside!

One of the real eye-catchers was one featuring metal art. A cactus plant:


Whimsical wall art of metal:

And various animal like this moose:
And an elephant:


And this metal man that was set back behind a wall. Only when I got home and downloaded these did I realize it looks like he is, uhmm, relieving himself in back of the wall!!
This was from a different gallery.
A fountain of a huge stone with a tiny pool in the top was a favorite piece I saw there. I have enough big stones to do something like this, but no way am I going to be able to drill through one like this!




Even the external ends of the vigas were decorated, like this one with glass inlays. (If you click on it, you will be able to see the beautiful glass.)











This chrome or steel with brass sculpture fascinated me. It's interesting that many forms of art are not my style, but I'm still drawn to them and admire them.
I liked the metal and glass yard art around the are and this is a favorite.
And this is no slouch as an example of yard art.
We all liked this mermaid.


I adored this Horned Toad or Horny Toad. He is about three feet long, and I would love to have him in my garden!












We also enjoyed all the adobe buildings. Most of the building in this area (in fact in most of Santa Fe (excluding residential in the new areas) are adobe. I especially like this shot of one with the huge trees and the rich blue sky and puffy clouds.









Another with ivy growing on the side. Doesn't it look peaceful?



An adobe wall outside a building with trees and clouds caught my eye.










As we walked around, we were enchanted with the flowers that were everywhere! In front of buildings:

And in flowerbeds around the buildings:












I liked the clematis growing around this metal and glass piece:





Color was all over the place!










Does anyone know what this plant is? None of us recognized it. So pretty!









And then it was time for lunch. We had chosen a restaurant that featured tapas on the menu. It is called El Farol. We ordered ten different ones and shared them. They were all wonderful! Our selections:
jamon serrano (Mountain cured Spanish ham)
boquerones (white Spanish anchovies)
curried chicken (chicken salad w/celery and grapes)
roasted red bell pepper (w/feta cheese)
bonito (seared ahi tuna w/ spinach and chipotle-mustard vinaigrette)
chorizo de rioja (smoky paprika sausage w/ fig aioli)
gambas al ajillo (shrimp in garlic, lime & madiera)
puerco asado (pork tenderloin w/ figs, port & idiazabel)
aguacate (flash fried avocado w/ salsa and lime crema)**a definite favorite!!
polenta (Grilled manchego cheese polenta w/ romesco)


These are the first four brought to our table.









And a plate before we began to ruin it!



Six more followed, but I didn't take pictures (1) because our plates didn't look so pleasant once we began to eat, and (2) Hellooo??? I never gave it a thought once I tasted these things!!

Along with that was a pitcher of sangria, shared by the other three. I personally had a margarita, as I was afraid with the wine I might have a headache later. Some wines do that to me, so I'm careful. Since I was driving, that would be bad. One margarita, accompanied by food and followed by nearly three hours of talking and walking left me good for the road.

We sat outside, in the open air, under a vine-covered pergola, which was perfect. The temperature was around 80°, and it was so pleasant.


Pearl, my British-born friend who is so delightful and fun. She lived for long periods in Spain and Italy, among other places, and her knowledge of these foods was helpful in our selections.







Linda, dear Linda, who wouldn't quite making faces when I tried to take her picture!! Well, this is the least objectionable, and a lesson for all who don't think I will publish it!! She was in rare form yesterday!






Enid, my long time (back to grade school) friend, also a world traveler and in the know about the various foods. I was so happy to see her again!




Yes, I was there, too! And since you know me, no further excuse explanation is necessary!








Update: I remembered I have a better picture of Linda, so in fairness, I'm adding it. But remember if I'm taking your picture, I will continue, even if you play with me!! LOL!








After an extended lunch (I have no idea how long. Who cares or looks when you're having a wonderful time with good friends?) Linda, Pearl, and I browsed a few more galleries, then we headed to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. We all spent a lot, but oh, the wonderful foods we brought home with us! I personally brought fresh halibut steaks, salmon, sword fish, and the marvelous crab cakes from Whole Foods! Oh, yum! I also brought cheeses: Leyden with caraway seeds, Cottsworth with onions and chives, Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano. Then there is the assortment of breads, nuts. crackers, cookies and other treats for the gustatory palate.

Our ride home was quieter than our trip there. We were all tired. Happy, but tired. I dropped Pearl and Linda at their car, and we headed our separate ways. When I saw this in my rear view mirror, I immediately whipped the truck to the side of the road and jumped out for a snap. What a gorgeous sunset to mark the end of a great day!

10 comments:

  1. I was wondering why you were so quiet yesterday, but the I remembered that you were going on a little road trip.

    I loved all your pictures of the different yard art, but my favorite is the last pic of the sunset. Just beautiful!!!!!!

    I am glad you put a pic of Linda up because I wasn't sure if you had in the past and I wanted to have a face to all the stories you tell.

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  2. You know, I just realized I have a better picture of her taken another time, but I wanted to document our trip yesterday and she was SO uncooperative. She doesn't like her pic taken. I'll add that to this post in a little while. :)

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  3. Wow, what an excellent day Lyn! I love the metal art, I always have!
    And that lunch! All I can say is how amazing it sounded and looked! Your friends all look like fun gals! And a perfect sunset to end it all. Beautiful! Love Di ♥

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  4. Di, it was a perfect day! Join us next time!

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  5. Awesome pictures...WOW! Hope you are doing well and enjoying every minute of each day.
    Hugs,
    andrea

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  6. Andrea, if not every minute, very close to it!! Thanks, and I wish the same for you.

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  7. I love love the glass yard art. The picture of the sunset is amazing. God own art to end the day.

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  8. I love the metal cactus, the metal moose and the gorgeous sunset.

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  9. I love yard art. We always find things to put into our cactus garden and I think that makes it all the more fun.

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  10. Daisy, the moose caught my attention, too. So cute!

    Moni, I agree! I wish I could afford some of there, but they are in Santa Fe, which automatically means the price goes up!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!