P+T+A+Trish in Santa Fe (Day 2)

Yesterday morning, Bandelier.



Thinking about the crowds and the potential for hot, sunny weather, we headed out early. Managed to stop by the Smith's to pick up lunch and breakfast, and make it out onto the Frijoles Canyon trail by 9:30 or so. P+T+A had spent a little time there on their visit last year, and wanted to show it to Trish and maybe make it further along.



Last year, Audrey loved climbing up the ladders to the cave cliff dwellings, and this year was no different.



We made it to the end of the trail, to the big climb up to the kiva. Thunderstorm was rolling in (and our rain gear was all safely back at the cars); and it was decided that, no matter how good Audrey had been at climbing so far, seven ladders and 140 feet was probably a bit much. Hurried back to the visitors center and had some lunch, watching the bit of the rain that did come through. And judging from the line of cars to get into the parking lot, we were wise have arrived early.

Several squirrel spottings on the trail. Regular gray ones, menacing a sleeping hiker; and an Abert's that rushed us.



Spent the afternoon with a few errands, then had the group over for a cookout. A little cloudy, but still comfortable. And, with the brats, delicious. A little stroll through the neighborhoods after.

They were planning on hitting the road early today, so we said our goodbyes last night.

P+T+A+Trish In Santa Fe (Day 1)

So, then, P+T+A+Trish arrived into town last night. They've been on a week-long tour of the Rocky Mountain states (and are now better traveled in the Land of Enchantment than we are), and made it safely into town through the rain and hail. That meant a cool and cloudy evening, though, and not so good for grillin' the care package from Usinger's that they sent along. So off to Blue Corn instead, and then a little hanging out and catching up.

We got together this morning and walked to the temporary location of the Farmers Market at DeVargas Mall, a stroll that takes us through the neighborhoods. Some breakfast burritos and wandering around, checking out the scene. Then walked back by the little park that runs along Alameda, and across the river.



Yes, there is a river in Santa Fe.



Admittedly, that photo is framed and cropped to make it look strong and lush. Most people would call it a creek. Even in the rare instances it's running. And it's the most endangered river in the country.



Hung out at home, got our energy back. Audrey and I played out the yard for a bit, then we hopped into the car and went downtown. Wandered around the Plaza, where Audrey got a balloon flower.



Then off to Museum Hill to round out the afternoon. We chose the Museum of International Folk Art because there's a variety of cool stuff for adults and kids to see, but also a children's play space. And Needles and Pins, an exhibit Monica did the graphics for. There's a hands-on area, and Audrey really got into working on the loom.




Went to our respective homes, rested up. Dinner at Whole Hog (I think I successfully planted the idea in Paul's head). Caught up with Trish, who'd spent the day around town (and up on Museum Hill, it turns out) with a friend. Audrey met some kids there, and soon had them playing her game.



Planning on Bandelier tomorrow.

The Bad Local Radio News Gets Worse

Apparently the proposed sale of Indie 101.5 will also encompass Blu 102.9 and KBAC — in one fell swoop, eliminating most of what I brag about in Santa Fe's radio scene.

A Web site has launched to try and keep these stations local, and they're providing a PDF with a form letter and contacts on the second page.

Mowing and More from the Weekend

After hearing me talk about how our yard is getting out of control, what with the actual rain we've been getting here, M+D gave us a push mower. Arrived this week, and Saturday morning, Monica put it together.



The yard before:





Monica dives in:



Total time spent mowing tough to gauge. It wasn't continuous, there was a break for breakfast, and some touch-ups later. But figure 30 minutes, tops. Another 25 or so with the "side yard," less space but more overgrown and with less room to maneuver.

The day after, and after some clipping around the edges with the shears:





Sunday also brought the painting of our house number on the curb.



At one point, I headed outside while Monica was doing some weeding. One of the neighbor kids had set up a table and chair at the end of her driveway and looked, I thought, kind of like a little anchorperson. I asked Monica what was going on. "Art sale."

When the chores were done, we headed over and negotiated a drawing in exchange for some irises from our front yard.



Not a lemonade stand, but an art sale. Very Santa Fe.

Met another one of our neighbors; retired, and a native New Mexican. Described living here as "offering many of the benefits of living in the United States."

Scenes from Bike to Work Day

Friday was Bike to Work Day (a part of Bike to Work Week, which is a part of Bike to Work Month). Santa Fe celebrated the Week; I managed to bike in on Monday — and Friday, which was the official celebration at one of the parks downtown. There were free breakfast burritos











The piñata was a goathead, the bane of all sorts of fall outdoor activities.