Heading home.  Will probably stop in Fredericksburg for a little shopping.

Ambled through south New Mexico--almost as boring as West Texas.  At my insistence we stopped at Roswell.  I had to look for the aliens.  Didn't see any this trip except in the museum.  There was an interesting display on crop circles. 

 

Back up in the mountains--southern New Mexico this time.  Ruidoso, NM is a little town with lots of shopping and gambling.  One of the BIG attractions is the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe.  The resort is full of beautiful art and sculptures.

  

Albuquerque Old Town today:  San Felipe Neri Parish, Botanical Garden and Aquarium.  Full Day!!

 

 

Leisurely trip south from Taos visiting lots of old churches in the little towns in between.

San Francisco de Asis Rancho de Taos

El Santuario de Chimayo

Never dreamed that we would need winter clothes...not to speak of a heater for the van!  But look at this!!  Those are socks used for gloves.

 

Ojo Caliente is a ancient resort and spa that was a gathering place for Native Americans.  Of course, non-natives took it over and today it is a wonderful resort for all.  Babs had a herbal soak in water from the springs and I had a rock massage.  Relaxing, spoiled day was had by all. 

   

Lots of early American history and sites to absorb!

 

Earliest Adobe house

Santa Fe Trail

Visited the Basilica of St Christopher in Santa Fe.  It is a spectacular church with comparable stain glass windows (original from 18 something).  When built it was a decreed that nothing in town would be higher than the church.  They didn't put towers on it because it was decided that the foundation would not support more weight.  So..no dome on the Capitol and no high rises in Santa Fe.

 

New Mexico State Capitol Building

The state capitol building is interesting, but doesn't look like the capitols were accustomed to.  It doesn't have a dome...the only one in the country.  To add a dome would have made it higher than the Basilica of St Christopher (I'll tell you about next).  Since the people thought it wasn't pretty, they planted many flowering trees and plants.  Of course I concur with that!  And there are many great statues and artwork inside the capitol.  At this time they had a children's art display.

  

 

Took the train from Santa Fe to Albuquerque and back again.  Not a flier but a fun train and an good way to see the countryside.

 

At home at a KOA just outside Albuquerque.  We parked right by a flowering lilac--such sweet smells!!  Went to Santa Fe today to check it out.  Bigger plans for tomorrow.

 

Easter afternoon we visited the Amarillo Botanica Gardens.  Beautiful flowers...even a bunny for Easter day!

 

 

Attended the Cowboy Church on Easter Day.  Nice service--not much different from regular praise church.

Cadillac Ranch--I just had to go.  Babs thought I was crazy.  Must say I was disappointed.  Cadillac Ranch is  a public art installation and sculpture, created in 1974 by Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels, who were a part of the art group Ant Farm, and it consists of what were (when originally installed during 1974) either older running used or junk Cadillac automobiles, representing a number of evolutions of the car line (most notably the birth and death of the defining feature of early Cadillacs; the tail fin) from 1949 to 1963, half-buried nose-first in the ground, at an angle corresponding to that of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt (stolen from Wikipedia).

 

Palo Duro Canyon is something.  Beautiful, but second to the Grand Canyon.  Babs stole the prize--she saw and filmed a roadrunner with a lizard!  Other shots are good but not as exciting as her capture.  We were hoping that the canyon would be having an Easter Sunrise Service, but they are no longer doing it.  Decided to go to the Cowboy Church tomorrow am.  This will be an experience! 

  

Now in the windy, flat, treeless Amarillo.  Will be visiting the Palo Duro Canyon soon.  Never been to that wonder of nature.  Looking forward to it.  Meantime, we had dinner at a unique west Texas landmark.  Many sites indeed!  The 60.00 under the longhorn is to time the individual eating the 72 oz steak (about the size of an average placemat!).  If he/she does it they get the meal at a reduced rate and a free dessert!  Evidently some do it!