Sunday July 21

Aztec to Chama to Santa Fe

No catchy sub-title today... brain-freeze. After leaving Aztec, we headed east (sorta) toward Chama. There were 2 roads I could have taken to get to Santa Fe; one which would have taken me through Bloomfield (where the rodeo was being held) and the other east into Chama (the historic Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad). Julie from the motel suggested that we take the scenic route through Chama to Santa Fe and so we did.

The scenery changes we went through are totally fantastic. First we are seeing desert-southwest scenery and next what appears to be an Appalachian mountainside. Then back to desert scenery again. We travelled about an hour without seeing anyone with the exception of a car passing me every now and then. Eventually we entered the Jicarilla Apache territory and just as quickly exited it. Nearing Chama, I realized that what I was seeing looked like an old western ghost town from the movies. But it's very much alive, being a tourist stop along the oldest running narrow-gauge railroad. We took a few pictures but it was so hot that we didn't stay long.

Turning south out of Chama, I stopped to have my oil checked. The mechanic (the FIRST mechanic I'd seen since Flagstaff) told me that my oil was over-filled and I did recall that day in Kayenta when my dipstick showed "L" and I added a quart, but it brought me a wee bit over the "F" line. I was told to change it as soon as possible. He said I'd be fine to Santa Fe. But change it, he said! We filled the gas tank and were back on the road.

As we neared the city of Santa Fe we were overwhelmed by signs for various Pueblo villages, all living descendents, all tourist areas now. We did want to go to Bandelier Monument, but when I got off the highway, we discovered it was another 30+ miles west and we were both too hungry and too tired (and I still had to deal with the oil being overfilled). We drove on into Santa Fe. Not too far from the city, we passed a sign for Camel Rock Casino. I didn't pay too much attention, until we saw Camel Rock off to our right. It's just amazing the shapes that erosion can create!

Of course, I can drive cross-country never looking at a map, but put me in a city and expect me to be dizzy. I did finally find our motel, south of the downtown area. It was the only motel NOT done-up in Santa Fe style. The City of Santa Fe must have the same kind of strict building codes as Sedona and Page, but not outside their downtown area. After settling into our motel, we went exploring.

Driving into the downtown area, I was awed by the architecture, the scope, the artistry of the area. A cross between Spanish and Indian with a little bit of Appalachian flora thrown in, Santa Fe is probably my favorite city. We parked the car at a large downtown hotel/restaurant near the town square and then found a quaint place to eat dinner. Called the Atomic Grill, the food was really great. I video-taped the area and took some digipics, then we went for a walk around town.

I remembered seeing the Pena Gallery somewhere on our way to dinner, so I was on the hunt. But Corey kept insisting I was going the wrong way. No matter, I was thoroughly enjoying the architecture and sorta having fun not having a clue where I was. Eventually we went into the restaurant where our car was parked and Corey heard the song, "Take it Easy" with the line about "standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona." Eric's nickname is Winslow and we had driven through that town in the truck on our way to Flagstaff. In the restaurant was a live band and the lead singer looked just like Eric Clapton 10 years ago. We stuck around to watch and listen for about an hour.

Finally, on the way back to our motel, I spotted the Pena Gallery and made a note as to the name of the intersection so I could find it again tomorrow before we leave for Amarillo. All the streets have Spanish names and that didn't help me much, since most of them I couldn't pronounce. One road, tho was fairly easy to pronounce but it was a circular road going around the downtown area, so I did manage to "get lost" the next morning. I never did make it to the Pena Gallery.


On the Way to Sante Fe

Cumbres & Toltec RR

Chama Station

Camel Rock

Eating in Santa Fe

Pre-1937 Route 66

Corey at Atomic Grill

Me at Atomic Grill

Architecture of Sante Fe

Art Gallery	Loretto Motel	State Capital
Outside a Gift Shop	Casa de Santa Fe Gift Shop	Jackalope Gift Shop

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