Grand Canyon to Santa Fe, NM


 Day 12, continued                                                        June 26th, 2010
We then enjoyed the drive to Gallup NM., and sights along the way.  As we headed north from the north rim, we saw three deer very close to the road.  We had been told that, in the early morning and late afternoon, deer frequented the areas near the road, and frequently there were accidents between the deer and vehicles.   So, we exercised caution.  We were particularly interested in the meadows and we approached the park entrance.  They are apparently natural, and there is some encroachment of aspen on the fringes. 

Interesting to me that the meadows exist and haven’t been filled in by forest.
We also really enjoyed the drive along the valley looking up at the Vermilion Cliffs on the way to Navajo Bridge.  We understand that access to the interior area of the cliffs is very limited, mostly to hikers.

And then we arrived at the Navajo Bridge, which is a crossing of the Colorado River on its way to the Grand Canyon.  The Navajo Bridge is a few miles below the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and is the last bridge crossing before the Grand Canyon.  Well done visitors center, very helpful.
 
                New and Old Navajo Bridges              

             
     

                           Upstream from Old Navajo Bridge.  Bridges are over 600ft above the Colorado River
                        View of visitors center from Old Navaho Bridge.  Vermilion Cliffs behind.  Beautiful spot!
Stopped at Cameron and went through the Indian Arts and Crafts Center and Gallery.  Noted another animal rescue organization “Second Chance Center for Animals”, outside Flagstaff- http://www.secondchancecenter.org 
We stopped at the visitors center for the Petrified Forest National Park, and Painted Desert.  Run as a Fred Harvey establishment.  As we had done the complete tour of the park on a previous trip, we continued on to Gallup, arriving at about 6:00pm.
Day 13                                                                   June 27, 2010
Did gas and groceries, and then headed to Santa Fe, arriving at the Hilton at about 4:00pm.  We had stayed at the Hilton before, and the big advantage, besides being very nice, it’s a reasonable walk to the Plaza and the surrounding areas.  The Hilton was especially accommodating of our RV, and had us park it within a few parking spaces of the main entrance.  Most helpful! (No, our RV is the one on the left!)

In Santa Fe, we walked a LOT, and also took about a 75minute “bus” tour (Loretto Tours) in the morning of our
Day 14                                                                   June 28th, 2010
We took the tour in the morning, which included the areas in and around the Plaza, plus Canyon Road, plus a sculpture park associated with the end of the Santa Fe Trail.  I think we are due for captioned pictures to better tell the story of our Santa fe visit.

Palace of the Governors on the Plaza 



              


                                                 Native American Artists selling crafts, Palace of the Governors

















The dining room at La Fonda



Cindy outside one of La Fonda Entries                           

                                          

                                                    The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
 Told by our tour guide “Dave” that the church ran out of funds, and thus the planned spires for the two bell towers were never constructed.




And this was our tour bus.




The tour included a stop at a park "Mission Hill" with sculpture (life-size), depicting the condition of the weary travelers at the end of their journey.
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Miraculous Staircase, Loretto Chapel
                                   
                                     Miraculous Staircase as originally crafted----



The miraculous staircase to the choir loft in the Loretto Chapel, of course has a story behind it.  I found the original construction even more fascinating, as there are NO apparent supports for the staircase, other than the staircase itself.  The railings were later added, apparently because choir members felt insecure using the original spiral staircase.  I thought the railings had explained at least some of the structural support.  There were several professional technical articles on it for sale in the chapel’s gift shop. A version of the story can be found at-  http://www.lorettochapel.com/staircase.html
Our activities included:  The tour.  Walking.  Visiting the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis.  Visiting the Loretto Chapel.  Shopping.  Window Shopping.  The Art Museum(s).  The Galleries.  The Plaza.  The side streets.  More walking.  Dinner at La Fonda.  Lunches at/near the Plaza.  The Plaza itself (which, by the way, is the official end of the Santa Fe trail.)
We really enjoy visiting Santa Fe, and feel these few pictures and words don’t do it justice.  We recommend some time with Google searches, especially on Santa Fe, and the chapel and the Cathedral Basilica.  But don’t forget the museums and the art galleries.
                                  

THIS is the original by Georgia O’Keefe of a print we have in our family room at home.  We saw this, quite by accident, at the New Mexico Museum of Art, just off the Plaza next to the Palace of the Governors (Which has a commendable museum as well.)  See-- http://www.nmartmuseum.org
 Day 15                                                  June 29th, 2010
Had to say good-bye to Santa Fe and head to San Antonio, with two overnights along the way—Lubbock Texas (KOA Campground), and Abilene, Texas (Holiday Inn Express).  

Columbia River

Columbia River
I90 Bridge Across the Columbia