Autumn in New Mexico

  
Here are some photos taken earlier this month on a trip to Santa Fe. Although I've been several times, this was the first time that I have visited in the fall. It was the perfect time to see the rugged landscape dotted with golden aspens, and enjoy the cool, dry desert air.

     It's that time of year when the dried pepper ristras have been strung and are hanging in the markets.      
                        

The first morning in Santa Fe we headed for Albuquerque early in the morning to see the balloon festival. We were in luck because the ascension of the balloons had been canceled for the two previous days due to winds.

Next on the list was a day trip to Taos which is a beautiful ride. About 30 minutes north of Santa Fe is the tiny village of Chimayo, where a chapel was built in 1816. It is now called el Santuario de Chimayo and is visited by thousands of pilgrims who come for physical and spiritual healing.

Taking the High Road back to Santa Fe offered some beautiful valley views.

There is so much to do and see in this large artist community with its rich cultural heritage. I had never been to the International Folk Art Museum and of course a trip up Canyon Road was a must.

Just a couple of pieces of folk art in the musem

I could spend hours along Canyon Road dipping in and out of the galleries. Here are a few shots I took along the way.

The next day we drove out to Tesuque to the Shidoni Foundry to see the bronzes. If you love sculptures, put this on your "to see" list.

Brent sketching in the sculpture gardens

           

Old mixing cauldron inside the foundry. Saturdays are the best time to go if you want to see the pourings.

Back in Santa Fe we stopped by the Loretto Chapel with its mysterious staircase where my son and his wife were married. Just inside the foyer is this beautiful holy water fountain.

The smell of pinon, adobe architecture and the Sangre de Cristo mountains-it is indeed the "Land of  Enchantment".