DAY TWO

Yesterday Brenda and I arrived in Santa Fe about 1:30. We drove straight to the downtown area and parked the car. Our plan was to get a bite to eat and call all the hotels around The Plaza (old town square) and try to get a place to stay. We wandered into La Fonda on the Plaza planning to eat at their restaurant and begin our calls. But the truth is we liked what we saw and promptly registered.

La Fonda means "the inn" and it’s the only hotel in New Mexico listed in the National Historic Hotels. The town dates back to 1607 (same as Jamestown) and La Fonda claims the site goes back to that time. The building we are in now was erected in 1925. Our room is really cool with interesting woodwork and art and a deep set window that overlooks an old church. We went into it (the church) yesterday and it is famous for a free standing circular stairway that has no visible means of support.

Brenda and I enjoyed bargaining with the sellers that had set up on the street. She bought stuff for the children, but the only thing I got was a handmade purse with lots of colors in it. Then we finished the day by eating a light dinner on a heated balcony overlooking the plaza. We enjoyed watching the people (there are some really strange ones – lots of aging hippies).

I am having a slight problem with the altitude. I had forgotten about that aspect of being 7000 feet high, but I get out of breath very easily and one glass of wine is all I can have.

Today we will attend a church service in one of the many old churches around and then perhaps journey up to Taos. It’s up to Brenda because I have already been. If we don’t go, we have plenty to do here.

Then tomorrow we will start out for Truth or Consequences for a three day stay at a place overlooking a river. Maybe the hot springs will help all my aches and pains.