Santa Fe - Los Suenos

Spring Break in New Mexico seemed like a good idea after battling 10 inches of snow in Denver. In fact it caused us to leave town two days late, so we were unable to go to the hot springs at Truth or Consequences. Instead we went directly to Santa Fe, and the Los Suenos campground on the road to the airport.

This was our first big trip in our new Aliner Expedition.
It towed like a dream, and things didn't seem to have rattled around inside anywhere like our previous Cabin-A tall camper. The Aliners fold down so that they look like a pop-up camper, but when put up, they have hard sides. They're even allowed at Yellowstone as they're considered to be bear-proof enough for the park.

Los Suenos has very friendly owners and groundsman. Kathy was very accommodating. We had arrived late, after the office had closed, and had unknowingly parked in a monthly spot. She told us to just stay there and not worry about it.
The tap water though was brown because it hadn't been used for a long time, so she sent Richard to run it  until it was clear.
Richard is awesome. He is the handyman, and has some land with goats and a big vegetable garden. He was fascinating to talk to.

We went into town to the Governor's Palace area, and the Cathedral Basilica. There are wonderful statues and sculptures all over Santa Fe - on sidewalks, outside shops, in parks, gardens, etc. The Cathedral is named for St. Francis, and my favourite sculpture outside is of 'St. Francis Dancing on Water.'

Walking back towards Governor's Palace, we discovered these donkeys.

The campsites in New Mexico tend to be gravel with small scrubby trees because after all, it is the desert!




Out at the airport, my husband discovered an F111. He worked on these when he was in the Air Force. We both worked at a base that flew these during the Vietnam War era.
It's a strange thing to be emotionally attached to a weapon of war, especially such an unnecessary and destructive war, but jet fighters are beautiful pieces of engineering, and it's thrilling to watch them fly.

This brought back memories of seeing the Fllls all lined up on the airfield at RAF Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire.

And when we go to Santa Fe, diet or no diet, we make a beeline for Clafoutis French Bakery. As you walk in, you are greeted by a cheery, 'Bonjour!'
The owner is French, thin, and beautiful, and never ages - typical French woman! This time she was wearing the biggest silver square earrings we had ever seen!

On the second day, we decided to take the Rail Runner from  Santa Fe to Albuquerque. The train is very unique - the carriages have three levels. The seats aren't very comfortable for a 1 1/2 hour ride, but there are great views of the desert and some of the villages on tribal lands. They even make an announcement saying no photos are to be taken of the American Indian communities.






As the doors on the Rail Runner close, the warning sound is 'Beep, beep! Beep, beep! Beep, beep!' Just like the roadrunner on Looney Tunes.

From the station at Albuquerque, we took a bus to Old Town. Drivers in that city are absolute lunatics. A bus tried to run Rueben over when he had a walk sign, and then we saw a car try to run down a young couple at Old Town when they too had right of way.

Albuquerque is a bit 'ghetto' compared with Santa Fe. It doesn't feel like a very safe place.