Living the Dream in Retirement
On our final afternoon in Albuquerque we found this park and went on a nature walk leading us to Tingley Beach. Lots of folks were fishing and enjoying a perfect day. It was the perfect wind-up to our vacation in New Mexico.
After departing from our Airbnb in Santa Fe, we took the day to explore Albuquerque before our early flight the next day.
The scenery between Santa Fe and Abiquiu made this day trip drive memorable. It was pure majestic beauty combining mountains, desert and brilliant blue sky. I’m so in love with New Mexico after this trip.
While in Santa Fe we learned of a Candlelight concert to be held at the New Mexico Museum of Art.
We were already planning to tour the museum itself and decided to check out the venue while there. We came back that evening and thoroughly enjoyed the event.
When traveling to Santa Fe from Albuquerque, my friend Cindy said “why don’t we take back roads?” as our rental wouldn’t be available until 4 p.m..
This was brilliant and reminiscent of the best road trips I took over many years with Spence. He preferred going off highways, discovering places we would otherwise miss. In taking the back roads we discovered Box Studio. We actually passed it, looked at each other – simultaneously and enthusiastically saying “turn around!” When we did we saw only some of this magical place – they had closed for the day ten minutes before. We took a few photos but noticed they were open Monday-Friday from 9:00-2:00 and done for the season on November 1st. It’s close to Santa Fe so we made a plan to come back.
It was so much more than we could’ve guessed from the roadside. Called Origami in the Garden, this place is a sculpture garden wonderland on private property where the owners live and create. The show travels (in part) to other venues around the country. Each sculpture is first created with paper in origami taking a year to bring it to completion in their studio. It was very zen when walking amongst these artistic and lovely pieces with the brilliant blue sky as a backdrop. I couldn’t stop smiling throughout our hike.
There is a well-received documentary about Box Studio called Origami in the Garden, it’s available on Netflix. Should you find yourself near Santa Fe, make stopping here a priority.
As our trip to Santa Fe grew nearer, I was looking for unique experiences and stumbled upon this gourmet brunch. I checked with my travel companion who agreed it looked like fun; I signed us up.
After days of warm sunny weather, the temperature dropped and it was windy that morning. The brunch is typically served in their garden on the patio but they also have a charming, cozy kitchen where we shared a beautifully set, long table with six other fun guests celebrating a 50th birthday.
The chef, Carolina Olea Cosignani has earned the Grande Diplome from Le Cordon Bleu in Haute Cuisine and Patisserie. Her partner Manuel Lescano de Orleans is a Sommelier and served us the brunch. Much of the produce and herbs are grown in their garden at this Inn with the remainder being sourced locally.
We started with beverages, I opted for tea from this special silver box, also in that photo – little jars of homemade butter, fig/apple jam and coconut dulce de leche. Next was a selection of four breads, madeleines and chocolate filled shortbread cookies. Manuel served us tutti-frutti juice as well as water flavored with lavender, mint and basil.
Moving on, we next had a bowl brimming with fresh fruit – mango, strawberries, blackberry, home made yogurt and granola, local honey with saffron, lavender seeds and fresh mint. I was so hungry I forgot to take a photo – it happens….
Next up, a Galette Ratatouille – the gallette made with buckwheat in a crepe-style with fresh basil, veggies and feta. The crepe was delicate and the galette was full of flavor. Dessert was a fresh raspberry, mascarpone and almond confection topped with meringue, the perfect finish to our meal.
The Inn itself is elegantly decorated with so much ambiance. After leaving, we agreed it would be a perfect place to stay in the future!
I’m attaching a link to the Inn, if you’re planning a trip to Santa Fe, this is a truly special place:
https://casa-culinaria-don-gaspar-santa-fe.booked.net/#w
There are basically two ways to travel to Taos from Santa Fe, the High Rd or the Low Rd. So we did what (in our opinion) felt like the best option – took the High Rd to Taos, returning on the Low Rd, essentially seeing the best of both! What neither of us counted on was the fall colors which wereespecially prevalent with the golden Cottonwood trees lighting up long stretches along the Rio Grande (and virtually everywhere we turned) juxtaposed against the shifting colors of the mountains and the brilliant blue sky- it takes your breath away.
I’ve just returned from a wonderful week in Santa Fe. Spence and I had been here 20+ years ago and I loved it. They say you can’t go back again but this was not one of those times. Santa Fe was every bit as captivating as I remembered and I fell in love with it all over again.
We rented a home in the Baca District which is adjacent to the Railyard District – both are new since my last visit. The location was perfect and we found great coffee shops, galleries, a wine shop and restaurants within steps of our rental. Our rental car allowed us to explore Santa Fe, Taos, Madrid, Abiquiu and Albuquerque.
This post has scenes from the Railyard District and the Plaza. Art is everywhere and I’ve come home inspired to paint – once I’m rested!
Stay tuned for more posts from this trip!
