santa fe

Adventure adds spice to life. Enjoy every moment to the fullest and celebrate often.

John outdid himself when he surprised me on my birthday with a balloon ride outside of Santa Fe. Even though I used to work chase crew for Arizona Balloon Company a lifetime ago, I have never been up in a hot air balloon… that is until now.

He had signed us up for a special experience with Santa Fe Balloons, owned by the colorful character, Johnny Lewis. I can’t imagine a better guide through our maiden voyage as Johnny explained the art and science of ballooning as he deftly showed his experience through his skillful hands.

We floated effortless and quietly across the ravines north of Santa Fe, not a power line or city in sight. The views were stunning, and made better only by the commentary and education we learned as Johnny entertained and delighted us.

Johnny deftly walked the balloon across the nap of the earth, through the valleys, and gently raised it over ridges just as we wondered if we’d hit ground. He did things with a hot air balloon we didn’t know could be done giving us a thrilling ride.

Then he brought us to 1000′ altitude so that we could view the landscape from a-high. I can’t imagine a better pilot for our first ride.

He worked the winds as if he controlled the gods from above as he made the balloon yield to his every whim. His masterful touch, his charismatic wit, and undeniable charm just added to this amazing experience.

With a kiss of the earth and barely a bump, he walked the balloon back the the trailer waiting on the ground. He was showing off his experience to anyone able to see it. It was a sight to behold.

Johnny was aided by a faithful crew who had clearly been to this rodeo before, as they handily aided in the deployment, catch and release of this ancient art. Jeannie, Johnny’s co-pilot was a delightful companion as she shared history and stories to enhance our experience.

We toasted our safe return to the earth with champagne and the balloonists prayer:

The wind has welcomed you with softness. The sun has blessed you with his warm hands.

You have flown so high and so well that God has joined you in your laughter and set you gently back into the loving arms of Mother Earth!

Thank you Johnny, Jeannie and crew of Santa Fe Balloons for a wonderful adventure and adding spice to our life for a memory of a lifetime. And to my loving husband who I love more today than the day I married him 36 years ago.

Just got back from a road trip to New Mexico. We saw lots of old and new. The shops along Canyon Road in Santa Fe are fun to walk around with great conversation fodor, and potential new project ideas for us at home.

Of course the eats are always terrific with great New Mexican green chile and green chile cheeseburgers like the one at The Shed.

We visited Red River for the first time. At 8600′ the weather was still cool if not a bit chilly.

We stayed at the Junebug Campground and loved the babbling brook behind our camp.

Outside of Las Vegas, NM we visited the Dwan Light Sanctuary on the United World College campus for the first time.

The Light Sanctuary was conceptualized by Virginia Dwan (funder), Charles Ross (solar spectrum artist) and Laban Wingert (planner – architect) and opened in 1996. It is intended as a place of peace and spiritual refuge. We found the play on the light through the many prisms cast onto the walls of this circular building 36′ in diameter by 23′ high, to be fascinating.

Following our brief visit at the Sanctuary we did an overnight at the newly re-opened Harvey house, Castaneda Hotel, in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Th Castaneda was originally opened by Fred Harvey in 1898 in the heyday of railroad hotel hospitality. The hotel has been closed since 1948 and only just re-opened in April 2019. It was refurbished by the same folks that re-opened the La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ, not far from our own home. They did a fabulous job keeping true to the heritage, architecture, and furnishings of the period. It was an enjoyable step into the past.

From there we stepped even further into the past when we briefly visited Chaco Canyon near the border of NM / AZ.

Chaco Canyon is quite the impressive complex of ruins built by the Puebloan culture over a period of 300 years between 800 AD and 1100 AD.

The vast community spreads over miles with multiple story buildings, whole civilizations, ceremonial grounds, and shrines.

To see the architecture, windows, doors, rooms, walls, and vastness from a culture so long ago was truly awe inspiring.

Photos cannot do it justice.

Unfortunately, by late May it was already terribly hot (86F), and with Journey not allowed on the trails, we were unable to stay long. If you find yourself in the area (and it is a long way off the beaten path), it is certainly worth a visit.

From there we overnighted at Navajo National Monument.

Which, at it’s higher elevation was cooler for Journey.

Our campsite offered terrific views of the canyons at sunset and sunrise.

It was a quick tour of a lot of fascinating historical sites… but made for a great get away. Next time, we’ll have to go earlier in the year (or later) when it is cooler and more comfortable for a pet not allowed on National Park trails.

We missed you Dave….

kritterspix

K. Ritter's photographs and photo musings from northern arizona

Santa Fe Adventure

Road Trip – New Mexico