Santa Fe -The Plaza

Governor's Palace

 The last time we were in Santa Fe was September 1993.  So, we decided just to start our visit in the plaza to orient ourselves again.  The governors palace is on one side of the plaza.  It was commissioned by the Spanish in 1610.  Today, they have a program where Native American artists can display their works (mostly jewelry) along the front entrance.

Loretta Chapel

 The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is also in Sante Fe. 
It is a beautiful cathedral. There is also the Loretta Chapel built in 1878 and home to the miraculous staircase.  The story goes that the nuns only had a ladder to the choir loft and wanted stairs.  Local Carpenters told them that stairs could not be build without taking space away from the chapel. They prayed to St. Joesph, the patron saint of carpenters, for help.  A carpenter appeared with a tool box and a donkey and built a staircase with two 360 degree turns, which should have been impossible with the tools he had at his disposal.  We did not go in because we have seen it before, and did not want to spend the six bucks.  It is a beautiful staircase. If you have not seen it - it is worth the visit.

 There are many, many, many art gallery's in Santa Fe.  We love just to prattle through them but we also enjoy it when they put the art on the street for everyone to enjoy.  Today, we found these sweet donkey's.

 We also had to indulge in some more New Mexican food.  We tried "Tia Sophia's."  Catherine went with the stuffed sopaipilla, which was excellent.  I tried the chili relleno's- fair- batter too thick. The green chili sauce and beans were very good.

Outside of  Santa Fe, closer to the campground, we saw a this truck selling red chili Ristra's.  The chili is strung in these ristras to dry.  After drying, it  is used to make red chili sauces.  It is a decorative way to store the chili and use the dried pods as needed.  Tomorrow we plan on treking to Taos.  See you down the road....