Santa Fe

I made it to Santa Fe! When I arrived I was hungry, so I found a little eatery that had been recommended. It was closed. And, when I returned for dinner the next day it was booked for hours! I never got to try it, but it looked good.

 Santa Fe is know for its art:

 Ladro Chapel. It is known for a magical staircase. The nuns knew there wasn't enough room inside the church for a typical staircase so they said a novena for someone to build one that would fit. A man arrived and built a spiral staircase with no nails (only wooden pegs). It doesn't have any side supports, yet it stands on it own heavy weight. The front of the chapel is where the Santa Fe Trail ended.

 I stayed at the Inn and Spa at Laredo. The room was fancy and came with a little black bear that kept scaring me when I walked into the room.

 I got a weird sunburn from my drive. Poor shoulder.

I felt conflicted about history and social justice when I was in the Old West. In the middle of the town square is this memorial, the word "savage" has been excised. But, then why keep up the memorial? Or, it is a part of our history?

San Miguel, the oldest chapel. Closed for renovation.

Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. It was majestic. The baptismal font is new and full of symbolism: "It is eight-sided for the eighth day (Easter) which marks the new creation begun by Christ's resurrection. The pool is cruciform to remind us of the price of his love for us. It has three steps down into the water to call to mind the tree days Jesus spent in the tomb before rising. The grill has symbols of the four Evangelists casting the net for the fishing of [souls]. The font is located on an axis between the main doors of the church and the altar to remind us all of our baptismal journey".

Not in the official description, but my fav part was that there was
flowing water (the top right side) into the main font.

 St. Kateri, the first Native American to be named a saint.

Hey, it is too hot for Luke to visit. This sign was just up in the public park, I think dogs are allowed in city limits!

A cool courtyard cafe in La Fonte.

The last day was wet and windy, making for cool sculpture movement.

I ended my trip by listening to the sound of rain drip onto the balconcy. It was a great trip, and I'm glad to be home.