Santa Fe, New Mexico

I had the pleasure of living in Santa Fe for almost three years. After my move away, I made several visits back. Santa Fe is truly a magical place that possesses a unique charm. Although summers in Santa Fe are beautiful, sunny, and warm, I have a particular love for autumn, when the aspen leaves turn to a bright gold, and for winter, when the scent from fireplaces fill the streets and farolitos (luminarias) are lit along Canyon Road for Christmas. If you love art, the city holds Indian Market every summer, which features arts and crafts made by Native American artists from a long list of tribes, and art fairs featuring the work of local artists are held almost every weekend during the summer. And of course, you can enjoy Santa Fe's wealth of art galleries at anytime of the year. It's a great place and the surrounding area is incredibly beautiful. Here are some choice photos from my previous visits.

Ristras hanging from a balcony, Santa Fe, NM

As well as being used for cooking, ristras serve as a beautiful symbol of traditional New Mexican culture. Some stores sell Christmas lights in the shape of a ristra strand, either in traditional red or with a more modern multicolor twist.

Just off the Plaza, Santa Fe, NM

The Plaza in Santa Fe serves as the downtown's main retail and entertainment hub. Many art galleries and restaurants are open around here, and at the Palace of the Governors, across the street from this building, Native American artists sell their artwork directly to interested tourists. The park placed in the center makes for a great meeting place. The Plaza Restaurant, also just off of the Plaza, is a great place to grab a breakfast of huevos rancheros. Get it Christmas-style, meaning with red and green chile together. If hot and spicy is not appealing for breakfast, then try their blue corn pancakes, and yes, the corn is naturally blue.

Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM

On this stretch of Old Santa Fe Trail is another favorite restaurant of mine, Guadalupe Cafe. They also have fantastic huevos rancheros and blue corn pancakes, but I also love their eggs florentine. Great coffee, too, and a nice ambiance!

Adobe building with turquoise door, Santa Fe, NM

There is nothing more signature Santa Fe than an adobe building with a turquoise-painted door.

San Miguel Church, Santa Fe, NM

If I recall correctly, this is the oldest church in the United States.

Adobe-style house and mountains, Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe lies in the center of a number of mountain chains. Imagine living in this adobe-style house with a view of the mountains and rolling hills with trees and shrubbery.

Desert beauty, outside Santa Fe, NM

This photo was taken on the trail I used to walk along on many an afternoon.

Along the trails outside Santa Fe, NM

Classic rural New Mexico beauty just outside of Santa Fe.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains, outside Santa Fe, NM

This bush at the front center is actually a type of cholla cactus. They get the most beautiful, large, and bright magenta blooms. Classic New Mexico!

This post is dedicated to the memory of my mother, who bravely fought stage-four ovarian cancer for five-plus years. May she be blessed with peace.