Sumner Lake was glorious. We could have stayed there beyond our two nights, but we had new experiences awaiting. We took one last dip in the lake, packed up the tent, greeted the arriving weekend crowd and were on our way. We stopped at a famous cafe in Santa Rosa, just 20 miles north, called Joseph's. There, we sampled New Mexico's finest crop, green chilies. They are thrown into every item on the menu and we had hearty green chile enchiladas. With a full stomach, we headed down Route 66 en route to Albuquerque. After the drive through the desert, we eventually arrived in New Mexico's largest city.
Outside Joesph's Cafe. The green chili enchiladas with rice and beans were phenomenal. The rest of the car ride was less pleasant.
Peter politely rolls down the window to alleviate the stench.
We arrived in Albuquerque a bit too early. The bars opened at 4 pm and our parking meter expired at 4:22. Luckily, The Library was open. Not your conventional library as we consumed a couple Modelos inside, but we did get in some quality blog work.
After The Library, we walked down Central Avenue in the heart of downtown and stopped at an assortment of shops: hat shop, shoe shop, thrift shop, and the Indian Jewelry and Crafts shop (pictured). We began to see a lot of these Indian jewelry shops that sold handmade jewelry and other crafts from families of local Native American tribes. Eventually we stopped at an unopened retro bar that was playing the 70's band, Cactus, and we stayed for awhile playing shuffle board.
And then we were off to Santa Fe. The Albuquerqueans piqued our excitement for what the state's capital had to offer. We took the scenic Highway 14 byway through the Cibola National Forest. Along there were a few small towns like Madrid that had funky little shops and studios that looked like buildings out of the Flintstones (cue Mt. Rockmore). We tried stopping at a music store that caught our eye; but as the theme continues, businesses in small towns operate on their own time.
When we arrived in Santa Fe, we set up our tent in Santa Fe National Forest. With our resting place settled, we hit the town.
Peter watching the 49ers play the Broncos in an exhibition game at El Paseo Bar and Grill.
Another beautiful sunset in New Mexico.
There was a concert going on at the main plaza, but we arrived right as a band finished it's last set.
This is a view from the plaza looking down San Francisco St. with the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi at the end of the road.
Very impressive cathedral.
Peter couldn't pass up the double chocolate ice cream cone at Haagen-Dazs.
Campfire before hitting the cots. Temperature was lovely in the fifties.
Cactus - "One Way...Or Another"
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