Santa Fe and the mountains

Adobe structures: only 3 styles and colors are allowed.  They want to preserve the history and "flavor" of Santa Fe.

Town Plaza had museums, churches, artisans, shops and restaurants; each site had a story!  The artisans, native Americans, draw spots at the Governor's Palace each day to sell their beautifully-crafted jewelry; naturally, I felt compelled to validate their efforts:)


The "High Road to Taos" had breathe-taking views of the mountains and canyons.  

Bandolier National Park, set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, was home to the ancestral Pueblo people.  We were able to climb into "cave Kivas"--dwellings set into the side of the mountain....and to try to interpret the pictographs- pictures etched into the stone.  


The last views ( from 6600') were from the top of Sandia Peak ( in Albuquerque)- the longest tram in the world takes you to the top!  As you can imagine, the view was spectacular! 

The Wild West provided great scenery, lots of history, beautiful hand-crafted artwork, good restaurants, and friendly folks. 

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Sabino Canyon, Tucson

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Sabino Canyon is about an hour from Tucson.  You could spend a whole day there: tram ride to the top- you can get off along the way- or ride all the way to the top and walk back down or wander along the paths into the canyon.  There's a 5 mile hike from the top, winding around the mountain and ending at the bottom; it takes about 5 hours!  Needless to say, we opted to stay on the path and meander down to the bottom....pausing to take advantage of the scenery or small waterfalls and brooks..there was even a small, sandy beach area and you could stick your hot toes in the cold water. 

Picnic tables are scattered throughout the canyon and water spigots are found at a couple of the tram stops.

Sabino Canyon should be on your "to do  list" when visiting Tucson

 

Chihuly in the Desert Botanical gardens ( Phoenix); gorgeous glass artwork in a desert setting

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Dale Chihuly found a unique "gallery" for his artwork....in the desert gardens!

We were pleasantly surprised to find the gorgeous, brilliantly-colored glass artwork "scattered" throughout the desert gardens.  It was such a contrast in colors: the brown tones of the desert and the vibrant shades of the glass sculptures.

A few bright blue pieces were "floating" in an oasis...and there was a boat filled with glass.

What a nice treat! 

 

The Wild West: AZ- strolling the Catalina mts and desert trails, cacti in bloom, gorgeous sunset over the mts

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Although it seems to be a gentle incline, elevation increased by 1000' pretty quickly.  The "hike" had us huffing 'n puffing a bit..and the only rest spots were on the nearest rock;  the view from "up there" was something else!   

Next time, I'll be better prepared with real hiking boots, energy bars, more water and a backpack...or maybe I'll just drag out the pics from this trip:)