Santa Fe NM

Escape From Carlsbad

After our escape from Carlsbad and the 50 miles an hour wind we headed north to Santa Fe. As we traveled north on 285 the general lack of diesel fuel stops that would accommodate our 5th wheel was weighing heavily on my mind. We found a Conoco with an island for Truck fill up and it was a god sent. However, they were running a bit low on fuel at this location and it took about 25 mins to fill a halve tank due to the slow go. As a side note, there was a rather large truck stop at the intersection of I-40 and 285. Next time we could use that to fill but it would be a push to get there.

Update: at the time of this trip we had a 30-gallon tank. After this trip, I upgraded to a 55-gallon fuel tank. We now have plenty of range and the latter issue would not be in play. 

Arrival Los Suenos

We arrived at Los Suenos RV Park at 12:30 pm and the staff was out. They left us our site information which helped. This is a bare minimum RV park, dirt, and gravel, level sites, easy pull through with decent water pressure. The facilities are a bit lacking, the laundry was broken or did not work very well, the bathhouse was okay, and the dog walk was pretty non-excitant. However, the location could not have been better to visit Santa Fe. We are mins from downtown and on a bus line if that would be a travel option. Frankly driving the truck in downtown would be a challenge at best. The same could be said about Canyon Rd and the art district. Might be tuff to park. 

Sante Fe Proper

Now for Santa Fe proper. This would be a comeback and spend a week kind of place. I do regret that we only built in a couple of days for this stop. We took some time on the first day we arrived to visit downtown and walk the shops at around 4 pm. Very upscale, high fashion kind of place. Particularly enjoyed the Square where the local tribes and craftsmen had their wares. We made a quick visit to The Cathedral Basilicas of St Francis of Assisi. It was angelic, the bell choir was practicing. I captured some video that I have shared below as they worked their bells. They have a garden dedicated to the stations of the cross with life-size depictions of Jesus that were set among a garden.

There Must Be A Good Margarita Around Here

We finished up the day at a local Mexican restaurant named Marie’s. The food and margaritas were very good. This place is a long-time local favorite and it was packed. Parking is thin at best, we would have a very hard time in the truck. Fortunately, our caravan partner had a smaller vehicle.

Museum Hill 

Day two – We headed back to Santa Fe and Museum Hill where we enjoyed the International Folk Art and Native American Museums. We had a great breakfast at the Museum Hill Cafe. Reasonable priced and great food. As it turns out The Folk Art Museum was my favorite. During our visit, The Myths & Meanings of Tramp Art exhibit was in full swing.

Tramp art is the product of industry, a style of woodworking from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that made use of discarded cigar boxes and fruit crates that were notched and layered to make a variety of domestic objects.

No Idle Hands: The Myths & Meanings of Tramp Art

This display presented more than 150 examples of tramp art, concentrating on works the from the United States, with additional examples from France, Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil to demonstrate the far reach this art form has had.

This is the first large-scale museum exhibition dedicated to tramp art since 1975. For many years, “tramp art” was believed to have been made by itinerants and hobos, thus its name. It has been demonstrated that this notion is largely erroneous, however, the name “tramp art” has remained the only terminology used for this practice, and the paucity of scholarly studies to dispel the mistaken notions about tramp art have allowed the myths to persist. No Idle Hands will examine the assumptions related to class, quality, and the anonymity of the makers of tramp art and consider this practice instead through the lens of home and family while tracing its relationship to industry—whether as an individual ethos or big industry. 

No Idle Hands will also include works by contemporary makers, thus establishing tramp art as an ongoing folk art form rather than a vestige of the past. Update: The exhibit has since moved on if you get a chance to catch it at your local museum, take the time to explore these treasures.

International Folk Art

As we made our way around the museum we came upon on the of the long-term displays. 

Multiple Visions: A Common Bond

Multiple Visions: A Common Bond has been the destination for well over a million first-time and repeat visitors to the Museum of International Folk Art. First, second, third, or countless times around, we find our gaze drawn by different objects, different scenes. With more than 10,000 objects to see, this exhibition continues to enchant museum visitors, staff and patrons.

The Girard Collection: Enduring Appeal It is entirely possible to be both delighted and overwhelmed by Alexander Girard’s one-of-a-kind exhibition—even after more than twenty-five years. The vastness of the exhibit space, the complexity of the design, the sheer quantity of objects on display—the immensity and intensity can be overpowering. And compelling. That’s why Multiple Visions: A Common Bond has been the destination for well over a million first-time and repeat visitors to the Museum of International Folk Art. First, second, third, or countless times around, we find our gaze drawn by different objects, different scenes. With more than 10,000 objects to see, this exhibition continues to enchant museum visitors, staff and patrons. 

We could have spent hours in this museum, there was so much to take in. 

Canyon Road

Nestled into the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Canyon Road is a magical half-mile in the Historic District of Santa Fe. Stroll this picturesque trail to experience fine art, great shopping, and exquisite dining any day of the week or make plans to attend one of our very special annual events.

The Art of Canyon Road 100 Years – 100 Galleries

Explore the history of Santa Fe’s art scene as you stroll historic Canyon Road, a perfect vacation destination just minutes away from the top Santa Fe hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts.

While gracious adobe architecture gives Canyon Road its old world charm, diversity is its claim to fame. More than a hundred galleries, jewelry stores, clothing boutiques, home furnishings shops, artist studios, and gourmet restaurants line this magical half-mile. As a collector, whether you prefer art that is contemporary, abstract, modern, expressionistic, figurative, photorealistic, traditional, western or Native American, it’s all here.  The afternoon was spent on Canyon Road. This is the heart of the art district. Shop after shop of museum-quality artwork. You can find paintings, sculpture, metal works, wood carving and more.

Time To Eat

After a long day of museums and such, we headed back to the rigs to give the dogs a stroll along the walking paths. Dogs walked and fed, we jumped back in the car and finished the evening at Geronimo’s, one of the finer restaurants in Santa Fe.