Downtown Again

This morning Duane played pickleball at the neighboring community center.  After lunch we hopped the bike for a tour of another part of Old Santa Fe.  Our route took us along the original Santa Fe Trail. 

As tourists we had to see the famous spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel.

These pictures depict

how the staircase looked when it was first built,

and how it looks now. 

Next we visited the Cathedral Basilica of St Frances of Assisi.  A cathedral is a large and imposing church where the bishop has his seat.  A basilica is an architectural type of building.  

The doors (added during a 1986 restoration), have twenty bronze panels portraying events in the history of the church in Santa Fe.

The hardware on the doors is hand forged. 

In the sanctuary above the alter is a reredos or alter screen created for the 100th anniversary of the Cathedral in 1986.  In the center is an 18th centuray statue of St. Francis.  He is surrounded by painted images of saints of the New World.

Above the altar and reredos  is a replica of the crucifix in Assisi, Italy.

 After our tour of these two historic buildings, we took a stroll around this part of the old town,

 randoming wandering in and out of stores that piqued our interest.  Outside one shop we found a sign that said "historical marker inside".

In another store Duane found a new hiking hat which repels uv light and is made of cooling mesh.  We wandered along this arcade of stores looking for the free chocolate advertised outside.

The free sample was enough to convince us to split a $5 truffle. This one was made with Makers Mark Bourbon. It was quite tasty. 

On our way home we stopped by the local H-D store.  This store has the most friendly staff of any we have visited.

This is home for the week.

There are about 10  30 amp full hookups here, at $25 a day (daily rates only).

Our view out the back includes part of the arena

and the stock holding pens.

Out front we have a view of the Sangre De Christo Mountains, and part of the community building where Duane played pickleball this morning.  This spot isn't stellar,  but it is quiet and safe (fenced with a locked gate), and close to the city for touring, and the mountains for bike riding.

So far we like this area at this time of year.  The weather is perfect for touring or riding with a mix of sunshine and clouds and temps reaching into the mid to upper 70's, a cool breeze (sometimes a bit windy), and low humidity.  

Tomorrow we plan another short ride.

Louise and Duane