An Enchanting Stay in Santa Fe

Changing aspens near the Santa Fe Ski Basin

Driving to Santa Fe from Ft. Collins was no different from our last two long drives except we added hail into the mix of wind and rain.  Fortunately the hail was small and didn’t last very long.  And we had already slowed way down because of the heavy rain.  So there was no hail damage but Maya was fairly traumatized.  She is a pretty good ‘road dog’ but hail is just not ever going to be acceptable.  Thank goodness the worst was over in about 30 minutes and then it was mostly a slow and steady rain.  By the time we reached Santa Fe the skies were clearing and we were definitely ready for some green chili.

 

Walking in the aspen groves was almost 'impressionistic'

Santa Fe has so many things to recommend it but for us it’s about the fantastic New Mexican Food and the gorgeous outdoors.  Not that we don’t appreciate all the art, architecture, history and culture as well.  It is one of our favorite places and since it was our last stop before heading to Texas to see my parents in Odessa, we decided to stay a week and really enjoy the season.  Fall is so beautiful in Santa Fe.

Yellow and gold are the most common colors but some aspens are orange and red

 

 

We decided to stay at a commercial RV campground right in Santa Fe rather than camp in the forest.  For one thing we are still having some refrigerator issues so having electricity and staying in town close to great food made things easier.  Also, staying in town put us about half way between our two favorite hiking areas, making for easier access.  And of course staying in Santa Fe is just a lot of fun!  

Along the Aspen Vista Trail

 

I don’t know that our timing has ever been better for fall aspen color.  We have visited just before peak color or just after but we hit it on the nose this time.  The trails have been almost too colorful to be true.  The butter yellow, gold, orange and brilliant red of the aspen leaves contrasting with deep blue New Mexico skies was stunning.  Top it off with brisk mornings, warm afternoons and cool nights plus a snow one day high in the Pecos Wilderness (our 24^th wilderness this year) and you get the picture – we have been pretty much in heaven.

 

Looking up...

Or down...

Or out...  It is all beautiful!

Most days have consisted of breakfast at our RV followed by a beautiful drive to one of the trailheads from Santa Fe.  Then anywhere from a 5 to 12 mile hike and we were ready for a big New Mexican dinner and sometimes a margarita.  We had a few ‘town days’ where we goofed off, went out for breakfast and did some walking, shopping and driving around the city.  One night we met my cousin and her boyfriend for dinner in downtown Santa Fe.  All in all it was about the best time we've had in Santa Fe and a great way to finish our western adventure this year.

 

 

 

 

Even though we are at the end of our journeys for 2014 we still have a few adventures left in us.  We had a goal of visiting at least 25 wilderness areas this year and we still have a little time.  After a week or so in Odessa we will travel back across the New Mexico border and visit Ruidoso and the White Mountain Wilderness which will get us to that goal.  There are also a few wilderness areas in Texas, one in the Guadalupe Mountains and the rest in the pineywoods of East Texas.  Perhaps we can work in a Texas wilderness or two before we are done. 

 

David's Stats:
Days Hiked  6  
Total Miles Hiked   43.46  
Ave. Miles per Day      7.24
Total Elevation Gain     8,359
Ave. Elevation Gain per day  1,393

 

 

Aspen leaves are almost as much fun as snow