Turquoise Trail

Quick note to all that we are in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a few days.  Arrived yesterday afternoon amidst a growing windstorm and landed at a nice little RV park in South side.  Pretty quiet for city life and near to everything. We had camped at Manzano state park (elevation 7600 ft) one night amidst the pines. Quiet and primitive but only $10, no hookups.  We liked the price and the view.

On the Road Again	Good Advice
Amongst the Pines in Manzano State Park	Interesting little choo choo on lawn mower

En route from Manzano State Park, we drove north over the Turquoise Trail east of Albuquerque.  The trip up from Texas has been on all back roads.  Haven't seen the interstate for 400 miles.  And won't for another 600+ miles until we reach Salt Lake City area May 9 or 10.

En route, we stopped at a couple places along the way.  We stopped in Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid), a few miles south of Santa Fe.  A former coal mining area which became an artists colony back in 70's.
Very narrow road caused us to almost not stop.  At north end we spied a possible parking location in a big lot next to a studio and the artist waved us in.  We parked and visited the studio.  Forgot to take photo here.  We walked back up the main road to see some other studios.

We also encountered this alien and his cowgirl freind.
           

Space monster

Cowgirl

Apparently, near Madrid, Cerrillos Turquoise is mined and many of the local artists use this in their jewelry.  It is unique, pretty form, different from anything we have ever seen before.  We didn't buy any though.

Cerrilos Turgoise (photo from a website not my photo)

We found a rug/blanket merchant who specializes in Navajo, Tibetan and Oaxacan blankets Sraddha loves textiles and fabrics.  We visited with the proprietor for a long time and ended up finding a new bedspread for our bed in RV.

New Bed Blanket

This is amazing Marino wool.  So soft. It can also do double duty as a blanket for the couch and wrap around on cold mornings whilst meditating or sipping coffee.

Rangewest Stone Fountain

One other artist was really interesting.  Rangewest fountains creates these really neat stone fountains, carved from rock found in an abandoned goldmine nearby.  The tops and bottoms are level and they drill a core down the middle through which flows water which then flows all over the rock on all sides.  It sits on a solid metal box with grate provided by the artist, stable enough to hold the weight. THe grate is covered with river stones and a pump lives in the box which recirculates the water flows back up to top of fountain. An amazing design, simple yet elegant.  Sufficient water flows to make it mesmerizing and quite meditative.






We drove up to central plaza area to have dinner at Cafe Pasquale as recommended by our long time Ananda friend, Jivani. We arrived early without reservations and lucked out with a table. It did not disappoint.  One of the best Chile Rellenos we have ever had with home made sauce.  Cilantro Rice, Corn Torte and grilled banana.  We did not need desert. The service was delightful.

at Cafe Pasquale last night

Today we took Charli, the RV into Hank's for routine service.  Had to be there by 0800 in order to get service done today.  New brake pads and fluid,  lube, oil change, filter, annual generator service,  routine inspection, etc.  Trying to do the preventative maintenance as much as possible.

We picked up our packages and mail at US Post Office general deliver station.  We had several Amazon packages, new water filters, and mail which came to village address.  Thank you Paalaka, my friend.

Now doing some shopping and using coffee shop to download updates and publish blog.  Also visited the local public library.