New Mexico

On the turquoise trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, there are two former ghost towns. About the only thing left in Golden is this adobe church up on the hill. We drove right past it the first time around.

Madrid, on the other hand, has blossomed as an artist’s colony.

It is too hot and dry for garden gnomes, but they do have cacti clowns.

A pre-gentrification model.

The Sante Fe cathedral has quite a rich history. One of my old professors (now retired) is a docent there.

The door has scenes carved into the panels.

Heather tries on some of the local fashions.

This is the main river through town.

Another carved door.

Here is a modern building built in adobe style.

Gothic architecture for contrast.

Albuquerque is mostly a modern city, but it does have an old historic section.

This plaza looks like it is ready for a fiesta.

Albuquerque is home of the national atomic energy museum. This cold war era missle is a local landmark.

An agave and cactus cuddling close together.

Here are some trees in the state park on the western edge of town.

The Rio Grande really was a big river, I was surprised that it was not depleted by irrigation.

Local lawn art.

The University of New Mexico is known for its faux adobe architecture.

Perhaps one day the maglev bound for Ithaca will stop here.

The Hiway House Motel, my lodging for the last night of my trip was a true piece of Americana right on old Route 66.