Let it Rain



View from Santa Fe Ski during a cool rain

Wildfires are burning near Los Alamos and Santa Fe. I am thinking of my friends there, hoping that the monsoon rains come early and that the winds stay calm.

Rain dance Indian Market

Monday Morning WakeUp Call--Altitude with Attitude

Tales from the Trails (TFTT)

Something about the climate and the geography in New Mexico makes my heart sing. Seriously, I have more energy and I can't get enough of the clean fresh air and sunshine. Being from the east coast, I haven't had too many bad experiences when it comes to the altitude (7,000 ft). Except if you count not being able to sleep, like at all--wide awake pacing all night ....happened this trip and it wasn't until I really thought about it and of course, 'googled', found out that what I was experiencing was altitude sickness.

Seems one has to drink 1 ounce of water for each pound one weighs each day to acclimate. Without getting into the details, let's just say for me, that is a whole lot of water--not coffee, tea or wine, but water. This trip we were blessed with great weather that was cool and sunny. So while we drank water and in case you wondering, no tequila and minimal wine, it wasn't as much as we should have given the exertion of hiking every other day or would have given the typical warmer temperatures.

Here's a lesson from the trail at altitude, drink and drink and drink water--not coffee, tea, tequila or wine and you'll be fine.

Now what about these two kids? This was an 8th grade graduation project---how cool are they?

No matter your altitude, remember it's about the attitude. Make it a great week!

There's gold in those hills...

After spending a day walking about Santa Fe acclimating to the altitude (7,000 feet), Mr. Jackson and I decided that we would try out our new gps gadget, take a hike and locate a geocache named "Lucky Coin." Geocaching is a treasure hunt using a gps device to locate a geocache based upon the gps' coordinates. The "Lucky Coin" geocache trail is in area that we had never had a chance to explore so we filled up our camels and got in the car.  Completed in 2005, the Dale Ball Trails include about 22 miles of hiking and biking trails within 10 minutes of the plaza. We started in a section that is adjacent to the Audubon Center and an area of town which is owned by the Nature Conservatory --truly beautiful. The hike started with a .8 mile walk to the trailhead and then climbed via switchbacks 1200 feet to the point where my internal hiking clock said we had gone as far as we should go, about 3 miles, given our 'lowlander' status and the fact that we hadn't taken a strenous hike in quite some time. Mr. Jackson looked at me as if I were commiting mutiny--" we are just .5 miles from the cache."

"Yes, that's true but it is based upon a straight line (a gps triangulates based upon three points) and we will need to continue on the trail for perhaps, another mile or so, " I said.

Mind you both of us felt fine and were enjoying the view, but the little voice I hear when hiking was saying "It is two in the afternoon you have been hiking for a hour and half at altitude and have to get back." I always listen to that voice and after a bit of grumbling, Mr. Jackson agreed and we made our descent.

So, yes there is gold in those hills still--I assured Mr. Jackson that our lucky coin would be there the next time we visited.

Here's some shots from the trail:

Always remember it is about the journey...

Monday Morning Wake Up Call--Santa Fe

My home away from home--Santa Fe ...Mr Jackson and I will be having breakfast at Cafe Pasqual's or perhaps, the Plaza Cafe and then we are off to find new adventures or perhaps, new treasures...who knows...

Enjoy the week! I promise to bring you more tales from the trails when I return.

"There's no place like home..."

...ever feel like a place is home? That's the way New Mexico makes me feel every time I step foot on its soil and breathe its air. Mr. Jackson agrees and we have been walking the Plaza in heaven!!! The smell of sage, pinon and yes, roasted chiles fill the air which has a hint of fall in it.  more later..off to meet friends..

Theme Thursday-Sign

Cowgirl Cafe Santa Fe New Mexico

Life ain't about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

I took this Theme Thursday prompt "Sign" as a sign that I need to get back to Santa Fe soon, not just for the amazing frozen margueritas and ribs at the Cowgirl Cafe but also for a reunion with good friends, the air, the mountains and the feel of red dust on my skin. Time to pull out the hiking boots--
For more signs of the times--Check out Theme Thursday

Theme Thursday-Mirror

Happiness is a sunbeam which may pass through a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray; nay, when it strikes on a kindred heart, like the converged light on a mirror, it reflects itself with redoubled brightness. It is not perfected till it is shared.



Jane Porter

 
For more reflections--visit here!

Flash 55-Books

“No more than five”, the librarian said, scanning her card. She runs home, the leaves scurrying along side, thinking about the books left behind. New places, words and faces all within her reach, five books at a time. Climbing the stairs, her shoulder aches under the weight. She hears the pages whispering in her ear.

Flash Fiction--a story in 55 words---for more see the g-man!

Theme Thursday--Rhythm

Rhythm Santa Fe style--summer time in the Plaza, where locals and tourists gather to listen to great music and dance the night away. Blues, zydeco, country, alternative and new world, we have heard it all there. After the music in the Plaza ends, there is always a live band playing on the balcony at the Ore House--The HooDoos are a favorite of ours.
 
 
One luscious night, Mr. Jackson froze as we walked across the Plaza, the chords of Samba Pa Ti floating through the air. I watched as three, count 'em, other men stopped and looked at their companions with this faraway look in their eyes. We all samba'd into the Ore House and shared a beer. Mr. Jackson and I walked down the aisle to this tune.

That's the beauty of Santa Fe-everyone dances to their own tune and it is just fine.

El Pasatiempo

Today's the day!! The Burning of Zozobra begins at dusk.

Join in the festivities --watch it here live! Or check out last year's farewell to Old Man Gloom!

New Mexico Treasures

Since Mr. Jackson and I could not be at the market this year, I put together a gathering of treasures we found on our last trip. Here's an overview:

carving of angel using cottonwood and tin--new mexico folk art


acoma pottery

fetishes

Theme Thursday-Festival

Indian Market in Santa Fe New Mexico is an annual art market beginning on the third Thursday which runs through the third weekend of August. One of the largest American Indian markets in the country , it is recognized as the largest juried show of American Indian Art in the world. I have been fortunate to witness the event for ten years. There is music, art ,food and an atmosphere that is nothing like I have experienced any where.

Mr. Jackson was introduced to the market four years ago and every June he starts talking about what we are going to do and who we are going to see.

Santa Fe is a special place. Indian Market brings many people to this little town of adobe buildings. For some, the experience keeps them coming back.

Why?

The diversity-native american,latino,hispanic and anglo cultures co-exist.

Art-a community which is recognized as one of the art capitals of the world.

Community-A sophistication among adobe buildings which resonates in its food,culture and politics.

It's a worldly place without traffic and the noise. A place of refuge and discovery. The highest state capital in the country at 7,000 feet, Santa Fe is a glorious combination of the artistic and the historic cultures that have lived in this country for centuries. My secret is now yours--

A Raven's Call

Mr Jackson and I traveled to New Mexico last year for Indian Market and were very lucky to stay at Casa De Las Cuervas.



Located in the historic Guadalupe/Railyard District of Santa Fe, this amazing adobe was close to the Plaza so we could walk to and fro but not be in the midst of the madness that consumes Santa Fe during the market.



What made our stay extraordinary was not only the presence of Mercede Velarde's art and the collection of American Indian antiques but the presence of Mercedes and her partner, Mary Leonard checking in on us to make certain we were enjoying our visit. We spent many mornings and afternoons talking about Santa Fe, life, politics and the hope we had for the future.



Since then we have continued our garden talks via email keeping tabs on the happenings in Santa Fe.

Mr. Jackson and I hear the call of the raven and are working our way back, looking forward to experiencing the enchantment and wisdom we felt during our stay.

Rain Dance

The latest forecast calls for two days of rain. I'm one of those people who likes rain. It is wonderful because there is no guilt or angst about being inside. I find ways to putter around the house, looking over my books or photos, reading the NY Times and catching up on movies the rest of the universe has seen last year.

If I am really fired up, I can clean or pretend that I am Julia Child and whip up a fancy dinner for Mr. Jackson. Or, maybe two days might be just enough time to get through my closet. This particular closet holds a lifetime of clothes and shoes and purses and stuff. If I get too near the door, I hear a low growl or rumbling.

Perhaps, the rain is a sign. I'll put on some music, light the smudge stick and dance my way into organization.

It could happen.

New Mexico-First Conversations

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." – Goethe

New Mexico was a place so foreign to my existence when I first started to read about it. Red Rock, Mountains and high desert. My first visit was in May 2000 with Backroads. My trip brought me to a place I had dreamed of for many years and I was thrilled to be there. The minute I walked out of the airport in Albuquerque I sensed something magical.

Once I went north to Santa Fe, I not only saw the beauty of the area but also witnessed the fury of the Cerro Grande Fire which damaged sections of Los Alamos, Bandolier and the Puye Cliff Dwellings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerro_Grande_Fire

Almost 50,000 acres were damaged and the Puye Cliff Dwellings remained closed until 2008. I hope to get there on my next trip.

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/NM-PuyeCliff.html

A sample itinerary is pretty much the same as it was when I traveled with Backroads.

http://www.backroads.com/trips/WNMI/new-mexico-hiking-tour

With one minor difference, because of the fire, the guides had to re-arrange the scheduled hike based upon where the fire was and the level of smoke in the area. So that meant the level 4 hike at the Rio Grande was one of the first hikes we took. Did I mention that Santa Fe is at 7,000 feet altitude and I am from the east coast where there is lots of attitude but no altitude?

The hike started out easy enough –a couple of miles over flat terrain, beautiful azure skies without a cloud or a hint of forest fire, then the switchbacks to the riverbank of the Rio Grande stood before us.

A thousand feet down and my favorite part, a thousand feet back up. Talk about a good workout. I made it. That is the best thing about hiking, my body is spent but somehow it still says “Wow.”

The smell of smoke was constant. While in Santa Fe, I remember sitting in the plaza and looking up at the mountains, the smoke plume enormous and flames running through acres. It was then and when we visited Taos Pueblo that I felt an overwhelming sadness. The guides did an amazing job of keeping us safe and found ways to keep us entertained. Still, I was desolate, because after all, this was a place I had dreamed of for 20 years and couldn’t ignore or explain this emotion.

It took hiking throughout the southwest for the next three years to understand. The sadness I felt was about the land, the past inhabitants and their connection to the earth. New Mexico has 19 pueblos, distinct cultures that have survived in varying degrees, invasions, wars and disparate cultural influences.

By walking through miles of countryside, I listened and found a place that to this day feels like home.