Thinking outside the Box - Adobe Box Houses
by jumpingnorman
The Adobe houses in Santa Fe are very distinct – these box-like architectural designs are representations of the history of Spanish and Native American cultures using durable adobe which is produced from combining sand, clay, water and fibrous organic matter like sticks or straw.
The Palace of the Governors is one perfect example of an adobe structure. In the past, the buildings were traditionally made by shaping the mud-based substance into bricks, with supports provided by large logs, called vigas.
But now, they still retain the box-like buildings but using “faux-dobe” and one of these newer buildings include the New Mexico Museum of Art.
Even though Santa Fe is the...
by Routeman
Even though Santa Fe is the capitol of NM, the third largest city in the state with a population of 60.000 and has been around longer than all but one other city in America it is still relativy unknown to many U.S. travelers.
Pedestrian Safety
by CCW
In my experience, tourists in Santa Fe are so often swept away by the ambience (narrow streets, casual attitude, wonderful scenery, fascinating locals, too many Margaritas, etc.) that they wander around without taking the usual pedestrian precautions.
Please, folks: for your own safety and the locals' peace of mind, don't step into the street without looking, and don't stroll down the middle of the street! This is NOT a joke -- we've had some dreadful accidents (even a death recently) where pedestrian carelessness was a major factor. Don't let it happen to you!
Good cheap art on Canyon Road
by rexvaughan
Most of the art works for sale on Canyon Road are quite expensive, but toward the north end of the road is an area below the level of the street where there are a couple of local artists who are a bit offbeat from the regulars on this strip. I encountered one of them, David Vigil. He is a very likeable character and has done some paintings in the style he calls contemporary exprssionism, one large and quite beautiful ond called 'Loretto Sunset' which he informed me sold for several thousands of dollars. However, to make ends meet he does small ones on pieces of wood and told me they were only $20. He then offered to make a box for one which had room above the painting so the paint could dry. When I touched one, it was still wet and I left a small smudge. I was embarassed but he said, "If you buy that one you can tell your friends you participated in the painting." Anyway, I did indeed buy one for $20 which I think is quite attractive. You can see it in the photo.
Just next door to David Vigil's studio is the Ed Larson studio. His art is somewhat primitive but appealing and has a very definite political bent to it. He even writes poetry (doggerel?) and leaves copies for free pick up. I have one in a picture here and while you probably can't read it, it is entitled 'To All You Red State Republicans (I'm Worried About You).' It is a Bush basher - you can probably see the drawing at the top illustrating two lines in the poem: 'He ain't got no cattle, The man is all hat.' Politics aside, Mr. Larson is very entertaining.
Not just for birdwatchers
by CCW
A much beloved location for locals, but not often visited by tourists, is the Randall Davey Audubon Center at the very top of Canyon Road. Randall Davey was an early artist in Santa Fe who left his property to the Audubon Society. The house usually isn't open to visitors (although tours can be arranged); but there's a small visitor center, and you can walk on some easy trails around the grounds and a slightly more ambitious one up Bear Canyon. Besides the excellent birdwatching at any season, it's a great place to view the local vegetation and just enjoy the fresh air. The trails are open sunrise to sunset every day. Their web site has a guide and a printable trail map. From about April through early September, the parking lot absolutely buzzes with hummingbirds!
The Nature Conservancy purchased some adjoining property a few years ago, and new trails have been opened in that area -- I haven't checked them out, but they sound wonderful
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Grave marker, Rosario Cemetery
Art alfresco
Goodfish in a cavate
Sculpture, Canyon Road
