We arrived to our Air BnB in Santa Fe around 3am, weary after a full day in the car. We had rented a 1 bedroom casita within walking distance to the Plaza area and downtown. After sleeping for a few hours we decided to find a laundromat and drive around and get a feel for the town. We found a food truck right in town where the boys were able to get out and run around in the parking lot before we headed back home for early naps. Following our naps, we found a playground that had a walking trail along a dried up riverbed – an arroyo.
We were surprised by the lack of water, in Santa Fe and in other parts of New Mexico…a noticeable missing element in the landscape. All the rivers and riverbeds we crossed were dry as a bone. It seemed that the bridges were there to simply remind everyone that once there was water. A historical element really. This was juxtaposed with the reason that so many choose to visit the Southwest, as water IS the reason the Grand Canyon and in general the desirable landscape of the area was formed. We’ve traveled to the Southwest before but never to New Mexico and were really struck by this. Not a trickle to be found.
After the park and playground we realized that Reed was sick. His cough that had developed outside Memphis had developed into full-fledged hacking. Near the cemetery outside of Santa Fe, we had to pull over because the poor kid threw up from coughing so hard. I felt terrible for him.
We cleaned him up and headed into the Plaza where we grabbed ice cream and spent time in the square area. It was decorated for the holidays and two Native American gentlemen were playing drums. See the video below. The music was wonderful and the kids were able to keep running.
Reed’s cough continued so we took him to the nearest Urgent Care – Railyard Urgent Care – staffed with the nicest people ever. I was able to meet a number of locals who shared their favorite reasons for living and working in Santa Fe. The nurse practitioner had just finished a round of continuing education at MUSC in Charleston, it was a great experience. After picking up dinner at the staff’s favorite place, La Choza, we headed home.
My musings on Santa Fe – it’s a great place for food, art and spirituality. The shops and restaurants in the Plaza area were impeccable. If I had to do it all over again, I would have skipped the Air BnB and stayed at one of the beautiful hotels in town. That may have allowed us more room to walk and experience many of the streets right outside the Plaza.
The next morning, we packed up to head to the Four Corners, where Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado all come together. Our plan was another day of “road-warriors” with plans to get to Salt Lake City or further, so that we could get into Boise on Thusday afternoon. On the drive to Four Corners, when we were headed south towards Albuquerque to pick up the road, Reed proceeded to cough so hard that he projectile vomited everywhere. Like everywhere. All over himself, the seat, the back of my seat. Then Hale threw up. He was probably so grossed out
