Rollin' through the Desert

For Dan's birthday this year after we recovered from feeling the shakes on the 5th of July quake we rolled out of town to New Mexico with our friends. We boarded the metrolink to LA Union Station where we were shown by valet to our roomettes. Zach had taken care of the bookings and Dan and I landed in an upper story roomette - very posh. We were seated around 7:30 for a three course meal featuring surf and turf and salmon - all delicious dishes. For desserts we enjoyed caramel chocolate molten cake and flourless chocolate tarts - tre decadent!

Mary, Dan, Jérôme and Zach enjoying a three course dinner on the Amtrak

In the morning I was the first to rise from our party and after crawling out of my upper bunk and freshening up I went to the lounge car where I made the acquaintance of a New Mexican who let me know a bit about the towns we were rolling through.

Crossing the border into New Mexico on the Southwest Chief

When Amtrak dropped us off in Albuquerque we had a brief layover before we hopped on the Rail Runner to Santa Fe. So we hopped a ride to Old Town ABQ where Z showed me some of his favourite pottery stores and Dan made friends with an unusually short headless cowboy.

Dan and his new friend

San Felipe Church, founded in 1706 in ABQ

In Santa Fe we had booked a charming adobe home within walking distance of the depot and the plaza. We grilled a fantastic meal in our first night and enjoyed one another's company while waiting out a big summer storm. 

The next day we rented a car for a truly New Mexican day of adventuring. Our first stop was the Puye Cliff Dwellings. We were driven to the top of the Mesa where Royce gave us a fantastic tour of a kiva and the 140 room ancient dwellings. We enjoyed 360 degree views of the sacred mountains. Royce's knowledge of the architecture, archeology, and pueblo community life was extensive.  We then scaled down the ladders, exploring the caves along the way.

Our tour guide, Royce, on the hike down the Puye Cliff Dwellings

Next up we went to the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs which I had visited previously with my girlfriends, it was fun to go back to show the boys around and have more time to enjoy there.  J and I treated ourselves to multiple layers of hot mud which we let dry on us before we washed it out in the mud bath and the bucket showers. The hot springs at Ojo have been designated as sacred waters by the eight Northern Pueblo tribal communities for about 3,000 years. In the distance beyond our soaking tubs and mud baths we could see Pueblo ruins resting above the property.

Photo Courtesy of Ojospa.com

After freshening up back at the house we strolled into town where we had a delightful dinner at The Shed which had been highly recommended to us by a number of different people. Dan dared to try the HOT red chili sauce on his meal while Z and I opted to enjoy the milder (but still hot!) green chili sauce.

Loretto Chapel

Staircase replica

On our final day in Santa Fe we explored the Loretto Chapel and wondered in awe at the wooden staircase built with no nails, we also toured the capital building and Misión de San Miguel, the oldest christian church in North America built around 1626.

Our ride back to LA was severely delayed (over twelve hours) due to engine failure outside Chicago but we still had a lovely time on the train rolling through the desert. Until next time, New Mexico!