The story of this trip is that of the Phoenix rising out of the ashes of a catastrophe. "It's a long story - but it's a GOOD story!" - Ray Kinsella (1989).

Around June or July 2022 we decided we should take a trip back to one of our favorite cities, Santa Fe, NM. If only for the reason that, as many times (see our 3 previous trips) as we have been there to see the spectacularly colorful and beautiful, ancient and modern, Southwestern, indigenous and Spanish, artwork and architecture all over the city, we have only ever driven around (literally, as it is a circle) the State Capitol Building and we had recently seen a documentary on TV show how it displayed over 3,000 works of art from New Mexico artists in all mediums and genres. The art in the capitol building looked wonderful on TV and we had never stopped to see it live. So, Cathy got online and found an AirBnB that I (Joe R.) booked for a 5-night stay October 24-29.

October 24, 2022, we set out on the 5+ hour drive from Colorado Springs to Santa Fe (see map). As "luck" would have it, we arrived in town about an hour earlier than check-in time, but we decided to find our way to the AirBnB anyway in the event that it might be ready early. As we pulled into the off-street parking space, we heard the sound of a vacuum cleaner running in the unit. We went through the gated adobe wall to the patio entrance and saw a man doing the final cleaning of the place and asked him if was all right if we started moving some of our stuff in and he said, "sure". As we were carrying our stuff in, he asked our names and we introduced ourselves. He then checked his register and said: "Hmm, I don't have anyone by that name listed". I said, "Well, we booked 5 nights through AirBnB and I have my paperwork in the car". He said, "I will get the owner from next door and we can check it out". In a few minutes the owner came in and said she did not have a booking for us. I showed her my printed paperwork from AirBnB, and she said, "This is for October 24-29, 2023!". We were STUNNED and Cathy was DEVASTATED! I had REALLY screwed up big time. What was particularly strange was that I had communicated with the owner the week prior asking for check-in details and saying we were looking forward to staying at her place "next week". During those exchanges, she never mentioned "you mean next year, right?". Be hat as it may, she said there was no availability that week at all at her place and she suggested checking out a hotel nearby. Recognizing that Cathy was so distraught, she recommenced a small cafe around the corner for us to sit down and work out a plan.

At the cafe, Cathy was in tears and said, "All I want to do is turn around and go home!". I said, "I just drove 5+ hours to get here and I am too tired to drive another 5 hours back. Let's at least see if we can stay a night or two at the hotel". After a few more minutes to calm down she agreed we should check it out and I called and they said they may be able to accommodate us. So, we drove the short distance to the El Rey Court Hotel and told our sad story to the two young ladies at the reception desk. I explained how I really was too tired for another 5+ hour drive back home and we would settle for a night or two in a hotel room, but we were really hoping for a 5-night stay in a suite with kitchen facilities. Again, seeing the state Cathy was in, they really took pity on us and did some extensive searching on their computer. After about 10 minutes of digging, they said they could accommodate us with a suite including kitchen for 5 nights, and even offered us a special rate!! We previewed the room and were totally impressed, relieved and ecstatic that our predicament had a more than acceptable solution and our vacation was rescued. On top of that, the El Rey Court had a rich history, incredible Southwestern architecture, beautiful artworks and decorations and was well maintained. Not to mention the staff were extremely friendly, warm and accommodating. Phoenix rose from the ashes!

Our 5-night stay at the El Rey Court Hotel, "Where fast lives slow down". Built along the original route 66, El Rey Court officially opened its doors in 1936 with its traditional Northern New Mexico adobe-style architecture. It was extremely comfortable, accommodating, warm and magical (see the Slide Shows Menu below). It was centrally located and a great home base for seeing all the wonderful sights of Santa Fe.

October 25, 2022 - we take a self guided tour of the New Mexico State Capitol Building. It was breathtakingly spectacular. It is a circular building with three above ground levels and a little-known subterranean tunnel, all loaded with spectacularly colorful and beautiful artworks of ancient and modern, indigenous Native American, Spanish and Southwestern motifs in all mediums: sketches, paintings, montages, sculptures and pottery. Look closely and you may see Joe R. in some of the artwork.

October 26, 2022 - We see a few of the interesting sights in downtown Santa Fe and visit the Native American Market, which is open each morning at the famous portico of the Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the U.S.

October 27, 2022 - we visit the small town of Chimayo, NM and the world famous El Santuario de Chimayo, a small adobe church built over the spot where a shepherd was miraculously cured from an injured leg by spreading the dirt over it. Since then, people from all over the world come to worship at the church and visit the small "Holy Dirt Room" off the left of the altar and scoop up a baggie full of the magic dirt. Also, miraculously, after all of that scooping, and for at least 21 years since we first visited in 2002 (see our 2011 photo), the level of the dirt in the hole has not changed!

As for New Mexico itself, it was best said by Anya, a receptionist at the El Rey Court Hotel repeating a favorite quote of the famous Southwest American artist, Georgia O'Keeffe:

Speaking of New Mexico - "...a land where distance is lost, and the eye is a liar; a land of ineffable lights and sudden shadows..."
- "The Land of Poco Tiempo" (New York 1913) by Charles Fletcher Lummis (1859-1928)

Cathy & Joe R.

Colorado Springs to Santa Fe Click to enlarge

Santa Fe, NM to Chimayo, NM Click to enlarge