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Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Santa Fe

The morning view from Mark's balcony

After a night of veggie burgers, grilled chicken, black snakes, and gourmet root beer floats, MG and I took a ride into Santa Fe.

We cut over to the scenic Turquoise Trail via NM 22.  Note to self: even if a road is depicted in the tourist map, do not assume it will be paved, especially in NM!  
The Turquoise Trail took us through the abandoned mining town-turned artist colony of Madrid, pronounced Maaaadrid.
I was a little confused by the photo park
Welcome to Santa Fe (Bites)!  Here is arguably the best green chile cheeseburger in the state, and one of the best burgers in the country.  I don't usually eat burgers, but I was happy to make an exception!

The State Capitol was... not very impressive...
San Miguel, the oldest church structure in the USA (ca. 1610)
As seen on "Unsolved Mysteries": The Miraculous Staircase of Loretto Chapel.  Built in the 1870s by a mysterious man using only crude tools, the stairs were originally built without any central support or metal nails.   
The markets outside the Loretto Chapel
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Cathedral Park
Indian Market in the historic plaza.  The artwork/jewelry must be registered, authenticated, and contain the maker's mark.  Turquoise is a girl's best friend ;o)
After the Indian Market, MG continued to help support the local jewelers!
How about a wreath of chiles?  Or a cow skull?
Canyon Road, a mile-long stretch of art galleries and "past prime" rich people
At the end of Canyon Road was a Tea House, where we met a friend of Monica's
All three of us ordered sweet ginger matcha lattes! Not sure what this says about us, but it was a nice way to cool off and relax at the end of the day.

Tent Rocks for the 4th

For the 4th of July, Monica and I celebrated by enjoying a national monument, Kasha-Katuwe (Tent Rocks).  This beautiful monument is only about 1 hour from Albuquerque, but the orange rock formations (hoodoos) made it seem like we were on a different planet!
July 4th sunrise!
Albuquerque is famous for its hot air balloons
On the desolate road to Ten Rocks
 
 
Hiking up to see the hoodoos.  It wasn't a long trail, only about 2 miles (4 mi round-trip), but it sure packed a big punch!

 
  
Ahhh, I really love rock formations :o)

The slot canyon was a tight fit!


Cactus
Team America!

From Mark's balcony we could see the entire city.  Each community seemed to have their own fireworks display; the colorful explosions could be seen all across the horizon.
 
 
Happy 4th!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Now to the West!

After a week in Raleigh I flew out West to Albuquerque, NM, to visit another old friend, Monica.  I was originally reluctant to visit in the middle of summer, but to my surprise, the heat was actually much more tolerable than in even Massachusetts!  Upon arrival I was also stunned by the multitude of rounded adobe houses and the stark orangeness of the shrub-dotted landscape.  While there was almost no grass or stands of trees, there was open skies oriented by a large mountain range lining the east.  
Upon arrival in Albuquerque, MG took me out to the Flying Star for a bird burger and key lime pie!
The Sandia Mountains eventually turn pink with low light from the setting sun
On my first morning in NM, Monica went to work for a half day at the University of new Mexico.  I spent a couple hours wandering around campus and marveling at the southwestern architecture.
The university library
By mid-morning I stumbled upon a local institution: The Frontier
10:30 am isn't too early for enchiladas and green chile stew, is it??
A ride down historic Route 66
Welcome to Old Town, where white girls have the opportunity to help push ox carts :o) 
Of course, every town plaza is required to have a mariachi band
Old Town Albuquerque
San Felipe de Neri (1706)
         








 

Suddenly Down South

My week in Raleigh was spent avoiding afternoon thunderstorms, clearing out junk from my old closet, shopping with Mom, and crawling around under the house with Dad and about 1000 dead bugs.  I also managed a couple trips into Chapel Hill/Carrboro/Saxapahaw with Meghan.  I do miss living in NC, but I sure don't miss those bugs!
Saxapahaw General Store with Meghan and some of her puppet people.  It was my first time in Saxy and I was impressed, however unfortunately many other people are also discovering and loving Saxy, too.  One more small town says goodbye...
Meghan is an artist and puppeteer for Paperhand Puppet Intervention, located in Saxapahaw, NC.  Their creations are incredibly beautiful and imaginative!
On Saturdays Paperhand has open studios and allows members of the community to stop by to check out the studio and even help build the puppets.  Not being particularly artistic, I was at least able to help paper mache a lamb's head, cut feathers for a phoenix, and base paint a giant hand.
 
 
This show looks so awesome!  I wish I could be back in NC to see it :o( 
Bluegrass at the Saxy Farmers Market

Meghan, her friend, Andy, and I went to Masterpiece Monday at Zogs in Chapel Hill
My still life didn't look quite like Meghan and Andy's...