Constant Reader discussion
2008 Convention - Santa Fe
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Santa Fe Activities
I live in ABQ and love to go to Santa Fe for day trips and when visitors come to town. The place I think of for taking visitors are: 1. Palace of the Governors - the original colonial seat of government that is now a history museum. The palace faces on to the plaza and the local Pueblo Indian come and sit under the "portal" to sell handmade crafts. Mostly jewelry but there is some pottery and other wares.
2 Georgia O'Keeffe Museum - this is a small but interesting museum. Even if you aren't a fan of G. O'Keeffe's large flower paintings, some of her New Mexico landscapes are usually also on display and there are frequently exhibits that feature art or photography from her contemporaries.
3. New Mexico Museum of Art. Small but nice collection.
4. Institute of American Indian Arts Museum.
There are several other museums scattered about town. In addition:
Cathedral Church of St. Francis of Assisi - a mix of several architectural styles including French-Romanesque because it was commissioned by Archbishop Lamy who was the inspiration for Willa Cather's "Death Comes for the Archbishop."
Galleries and shops - many around the plaza and within the couple of block surrounding and Canyon Road. Native american art, landscape and modern art - something for everyone.
For those interested in getting out of town a bit -
Ten Thousand Waves - it's a Japanese style spa up in the hills above Santa Fe. It is a fabulous place for a soak in a hot tub, massage or facial. Very soothing - hot tubs are outdoors among the pinon and juniper trees with bright blue New Mexico sky overhead. Very peaceful.
A little further out of town... Bandilier National Monument - amazing scenery and Ananazi cliff dwelling that you can walk to and walk around in. It's a US fee area, so bring your US National Parks pass if you have one. ($10 per car)
Drive a little farther west from Bandilier and you can drive through one of the newest and loveliest US parks - Valles Caldera National Preserve.
You can also drive to several of the Pueblos in the area. Some are more open and welcoming to visitors than others. It's been quite awhile since I have visited any of the pueblos around Santa Fe or Taos, so I'm not the best source of info on this.
As far as restaurants go, Santa Fe has lots of good choices both moderate and upscale. I like The Shed for lunch or brunch. El Meson, near the plaza or El Farol on Canyon Road are both Spanish tapas restaurants. Hotel St. Francis offers afternoon tea in their lobby.
All those things sound wonderful, Katie. I like stuff sort of hot. I'll make sure to bring some good antacids, just in case!
Andrea, thanks for all the suggestions. Can you join us?
I'll second Sherry, Katie. Sounding good. Leif and I love hot food.I've been to Santa Fe once before, and remember really liking a museum with oceans of miniature figures. It was a ways out of town. Katie and Andrea, do you know which one I'm talking about?
There was also a museum with Indian baskets. I seem to remember that being a little out of town, too. Am I right?
Katie,I love hot food, too. We all have to eat as the Santa Fe people do, I think. Do we have a count for each night so that you can make reservations?
Ruth,
I remember going to that museum outside of town. I am sure it is in all of the guide books. I will pick one up at AAA next week along with a map of Santa Fe.
Jane
Katie, do you think there will be a problem getting into restaurants that don't take reservations? That seems a little risky to me.
Yes, especially with a large group.What about transportation? Who's planning on having a car there?
As long as I'm not on travel for work, I'll be there. I haven't made a hotel reservation yet... I've been travelling enough for work, that I don't plan trips too far in advance. I'll have a car, so I'll be able to help with local transportation. Are folks renting cars in ABQ or taking a shuttle to Santa Fe?
Overall, Santa Fe is very walkable and fairly compact through the downtown area and even Canyon Road. It's just a few of the museums that are a bit further out of town. Unless 10,000 Waves or an out of town drive is on the agenda, transportaion shouldn't be too much of an issue.
It will great to see you, Andrea. I'm taking a shuttle from ABQ, so I won't have a car. I hope your work allows you to come. Tell them you can't travel that week (or would that be too cheeky?)
Sherry, I usually set my own travel schedule, but I'm a program manager and the travel is based on the needs of the program. Since I've got to coordinate with my customer and several other team members, it is sometimes tricky to get dates that work for everyone. The good thing is that I'm almost always able to fly in time for the weekend. Worst case should put me in Santa Fe on Saturday morning.
I love it when I get to meet new people. I'm looking forward to it, Andrea.
We would love to join you all in Santa Fe and meet you, but can't. When I owned my travel agency we took three small groups to the Santa Fe Opera over the years (always stayed at Inn of the Governors - nothing fancy but nice little patio for breakfast and close to everything.) Our groups especially enjoyed Bandelier and a trip out to the foundry that casts some of the bronze statuary. Don't know if it's still there or if the glass factory is still there -- I bought some cute earrings in the shape of the bear fetish that I still wear all the time. The "Milagro Beanfield Wars" was filmed around there (mostly Taos). Good movie anyhow. Speaking of books on Tape, we loved "Lonesome Dove". We love really long ones! I had a forty minute (each way) commute and I literally lived in that book. Also all the Jane Austens (read by Flo Gibson and Donada Peters). We also listened (separately) to the entire series of the "Pallisers" and the entire "Barchester Towers." Heaven on earth were all those books.
Another idea for your trip. We always included a tea at the home of some local Opera supporter. The group chipped in a donation of about $200 to $400 (total, depending on how many in our group) to the Santa Fe Opera. You might contact the Chamber of Commerce and visit a local author for something similar and offer a donation to favorite charity or give publicity to their books?It was always a part of our trips (Los Angeles Opera, Sicily - Palermo's opera house, etc.) In Los Angeles we had a wonderful afternoon at a house in Hancock Park -- a fascinating neighborhood. About 15 people from all over the area met and talked with us about their experiences with local music scene. It is so much fun to meet local people.
Thanks for the suggestions, Sylvia.
Fifteen sounds about right, Katie.
I love Santa Fe; I've been there twice, so I'm no expert, but will put in my 2 cents anyway...Museum hill is a great spot because there are 3 or 4 museums, with something for everyone. In addition to an Indian museum, there is a folklore museum. Can't remember the others. Near or on the Plaza, there is a museum with contemporary art by Native Americans that was very good.
Santa Fe is full of great (and, often, expensive) restaurants and I'm sure you'll go to some of them. I also recommend the Zia Diner (see ya at the Zia... yeah, I know it's corny...). It is a diner with a Southwestern accent. Been there twice and enjoyed it!
Enjoy your time in Santa Fe. I envy you!
Mary Ellen
I'm going to miss this one (by a few billion miles). I wish you merry times, though, Santa and the rest...
I'm looking forward to the gathering of CR friends, and am willing to go wherever the group wants. Hot food doesn't bother me, and I'm in agreement with Jane... when in Santa Fe we should eat like the locals!Lynn
Some of my favorite local Santa Fe restaurants:Sena
Pink Adobe
Palace
Tomasita's
The Shed
Josie's
Restaurants come and go -- places like Coyote Cafe are relative newcomers, originating elsewhere. Sadly, La Tertulia closed.
As someone suggested, a walk up Canyon Road and poking your head into the shops and galleries that interest you is very leisurely. Toward the upper end is El Farol for a drink.
The Folk Art museum is up Old Santa Fe Trail, with Wheelwright and Anthropology. Very interesting, but a hike.
It's always worth going into LaFonda on the Plaza and having breakfast or lunch in the courtyard.
September after Zozobra isn't so busy. The Opera and SFCMF are over, and many of the summer people will have moved on. The weather is quite good, but you may still get gully washing afternoon rains. Don't get caught in one unless you like the drowned rat look.
I am really looking forward to our convention. I have purchased my airline tickets, I have my hotel reservation, and I just now made a reservation on the Albuquerque-Santa Fe shuttle. I am ready! When is everyone arriving? My plane comes in at about 11:30 am.Jane
As usual, my plane doesn't get in until later because I want to teach my Thursday morning class before leaving. I think my flight arrives in Albuquerque around 7:30 p.m. so I should be there in time to have a drink with you all before bed.Do you think it would be helpful if we had a rental car? I found a good deal on a rental, but it's not quite as cheap as the shuttle (plus they charge for parking at the hotel). I'd be willing to pay the extra cost for the convenience of not having to go with the shuttle schedule, especially on the return trip, if it would help us get to places we want to go.
Lynn
A car is certainly helpful to go to Museum Hill, St. Johns, Ten Thousand Waves, the opera (closed but you might want to see it), to any of the pueblos, or up to Los Alamos/Bandelier or Taos. True, you don't need it downtown or to go up Canyon Rd, and parking is a minor challenge. You could probably arrange a rental in town for when you need it if you prefer to take the shuttle fromt he airport. I actually like the one hour drive up I25. If you go that way, take the St. Francis exit and skip the Cerrillos experience (fast food strip). Or, if you're brave, go through Madras on the old Turquoise Trail, which is a windy mountain road that connects back up to I25 after you pass the penitentiary.
We're arriving 4:35pm Thursday, leaving 2:39pm Sunday. We were planning on the shuttle, but we're open to other arrangements.Maybe renting something in Santa Fe might be best?As the unofficial Art Director of CR, I've been trying to check out what's going on in in Santa Fe. But I'm not getting anywhere because I'm up at my cabin with a very spotty, very slow, dialup connection. Anybody else know anything?
I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone!
Lynn,I am taking the shuttle, and I hope to walk most places. You know how I love to walk. If necessary we can take taxis unless someone wants to go to the Puye Cliffs on Saturday morning. Then we should rent a car. It is so beautiful out there, but it requires climbing up ladders to see the cliff dwellings. I am not sure how many people would want to do that.
Jane
Oh yes, I know you love to walk, Jane, and I don't mind a bit walking with you. I was amazed at how many places we were able to walk to in San Francisco! Not being familiar with Santa Fe, I just wasn't sure how many of the things we might want to see were in outlying areas. Even if we can do most of it by foot, I might splurge on the car anyway, mostly so I can choose when to leave for the airport on Sunday.
What's the elevation at Santa Fe? It's kind of high, isn't it? My damn pills make it hard for me to exert myself.
SF elevation is in 7000 to 8000 foot range, higher than Denver or almost any city in the US except Jackson Hole. The altitude does bother some people. Perhaps it's changed, but SF taxis were somewhat theoretical. Not exactly there for the flagging down.
There is enough museum, gallery, bookstore, eating and shops within six short blocks of the plaza to keep anyone busy.
The elevation question reminds me to ask about likely weather (especially the temps) while we're going to be there. At some point I'm going to have to figure out what to pack!
Last time we were there, we'd been in Albuequerque where the temps were in the triple digits. I remember Santa Fe as cooler, but still pretty warm.
Santa Fe tends to be about 5 or 10 degrees cooler than Albuquerque. Evening (and early morning temps) can be cool so a light jacket or sweater is a good idea. We have had a few days of monsoon rains (flow comes up from Mexico) - but monsoon in New Mexico generally means clouds with intermittent sun and showers.Forecast this morning said 80's for high temps in Albuquerque the rest this week.
The altitude can be a surprise for visitors, there are actually two state capitals that are over a mile high and Denver just squeaks in @;^).
Katie,We are waiting to hear from you about possible activities for our group. Are you there? If you can't help us, please tell me so that we can start organizing things ourselves.
Jane
I just called very nice woman in Santa Fe who gives literary walking tours. She is giving one at 10 am, on Friday, the 19th. It lasts about 2 hours and includes some of downtown and some of Canyon Road. The cost is $20 per person. She is willing to take us, but I need to know how many of you want to go. Please let me know so that I can report back to her!Jane
Please count me in for the walking tour as well.
That is five of us so far. I estimated eight. I put a call in to Pat and Ernie, but I don't think that they like to walk very much any more. Sherry, do you have Anne W.'s phone number?My next suggestion is that those of us who are arriving earlier than dinnertime should meet at the Hotel Plaza Real at 5 pm, or should we meet at the Hilton? Maybe they have a bar. I hope that restaurants and bars are all non-smoking like they are here in California.
Andrea, would you suggest a place to eat for Thursday evening? I have my Frommer's book, but you might have some better suggestions.
Jane
I heard from Katy. She has made these reservations:"I have taken care of restaurants as follows. I also put the reservations under your last name (Keller) since I won't be with you. For the time being they have my phone number so that I could make the reservations.
Here's the score:
Thurs, Sept 18 dinner at Ore House, 50 Lincoln Ave, 983-8687, 7:00 pm, 14 people
Fri, Sept 19
breakfast at hotels
plan was tentatively to do a downtown walkabout and visit museums, galleries
lunch, Tomasita's, no reservations, but it is one of the best southwestern restaurants in the area, 500 s. Guadalupe, 983-5721
dinner at Vanessie, 434 W. San Franciso, 7:00 pm, 14 people, 982-9966
Sat, Sept 20
breakfast at hotels or go to Tia Sophia's (no reservations, but worth it!), 210 W. San Francisco, 983-9880
plan was to do a canyon road walkabout, and visit various bookstores downtown area
lunch reservation at Zia Diner, 12:30 p.m., 14 people, 326 s. Guadalupe, 988-7008
dinner reservation at El Farol, ***NEED TO GUARANTEE WITH CREDIT CARD***, 7:00 p.m., 14 people, 808 Canyon Road, 983-9912
Recommend Garcia Street Books (cafe right next door) for biz meeting. It is just off Canyon Road. 376 Garcia street, 986-0151
For Sunday brunch, El Dorado Hotel does a nice one, but I didn't book this in case the group has other plans, El Dorado Court (right across the street from the Hilton), 309 W. San Francisco, 988-4455.
That was my plan! I hope you all have fun! Even without a lot of planning, Santa Fe is terrific."
Count me in for the walking tour, Jane. I won't be arriving until after dinner on Thursday, but I'm hoping to meet those who are still up for a drink once I get in. I'm sharing a room with Sherry, so I'm sure she'll be able to connect me with everyone else.Lynn
I called Pat and Ernie. They had to cancel their trip to Santa Fe.Philip and Anne W.,
Are you interested in the walking tour?
Jane
That's too bad about Pat & Ernie.
I'm sorry they won't be able to join us. I wondered if his health would be up to it this year, but it would have been great to see them again.
As I told Jane in a separate CR message, I should arrive (deo volente) in plenty of time for the Thursday dinner and would love to participate in the Friday morning literary jaunt.
I'm delighted that you're coming Philip. I just know you're going to get on well with this group.
Indeed, Philip. Meeting new people is the best parts of these conventions for me. (Renewing old friendships is the also the best part.)
Philip,I am glad that you posted your answer here, because I didn't get it in my mailbox.
I will reserve a walking spot for you!
Jane
If I have room in my luggage, I'll bring a couple of books to exchange. That's always fun. We can do that at the same time as the readings.
Katie, are you with us?