The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
If you are traveling with kids and they need to blow off some steam in an air-conditioned environment then you won't find a better place than the Children's Museum of Santa Fe. On a hot summer day this place was a godsend. The kids got to run around in a self contained environment with tons of stuff to keep them busy and the moms got to catch a break, have some adult conversation, answer emails and just … [Read more...]
Around the corner from the oldest house is The Loretto Chapel, another quick thing to check out. As legend has it, the Loretto church needed a new staircase when it just so happened a traveling carpenter came to town. He built the staircase, which goes against all the rules of engineering and stands miraculously without any support from a center post. No one knows how it was done or the identity of the mysterious … [Read more...]
Apparently there is some discrepancy as to whether or not this really is the oldest house in the USA, but that’s what the sign said. Here’s what we found out: The house was originally constructed as a part of the Pueblo de Analco—a Pueblo Indian community that existed in what is now Santa Fe, New Mexico. While the exact date of construction is unknown, it was probably constructed some time in the Thirteenth … [Read more...]
The Rodeo De Santa Fe is a seasonal show that takes place during the summer, so make sure you check ahead if you’re hoping to catch this authentic rodeo experience! We had actually planned our trip to coincide with it and I am so glad because it's something none of us will ever forget. It was so memorable as none of us had ever been to a real rodeo—and this is as real as it gets. First out the gate were the … [Read more...]
The New Mexico State Capitol Building in Santa Fe was not what we expected. It's pretty modern and unlike most statehouses that we've seen. Unfortunately as we got there when it was closed so we missed checking out the inside. Here are a few interesting facts though. The New Mexico statehouse is the only round state capitol building in the U.S. and it was designed to resemble the Zia Sun Symbol with four … [Read more...]
There's a lot that goes into choosing travel dates-everyone's schedules, costs, weather and more. Another thing to consider as you choose your dates and even route is the calendar of regional events that are happening in the place you are planning to visit. One of the best ways to soak up local color and experience the area you are visiting is to attend a regional event, festival or fair and if you plan it right it … [Read more...]
One of the all time coolest and most meaningful souvenirs we've gotten on any trip are the Native American fetishes we purchased on our trip to New Mexico. If you are like me, when you hear the word fetish you think of a weird obsession with sexual overtones like a foot fetish. Fetishes are also amulets or good luck charms and every culture has them. In Native American culture fetishes are small stones or other … [Read more...]
Making our way to Seward from Anchorage we stopped at the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center. As you've probably figured out if you've been reading my posts, I am not a huge fan of zoo's or any place that confines animals in small places for people to look at. While it does feel like a zoo as there are fenced in areas to view various species of native wildlife, the center has a higher purpose than just … [Read more...]
There is a reason New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. It's earthly beauty draws you in in what can only be described as a sort of spiritual experience. For those who have never been, New Mexico evokes visions of barren desert landscape with not much to see or do. I am here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. New Mexico is gorgeous and filled with interesting things to explore and is … [Read more...]
The state slogan of New Mexico is "The Land of Enchantment," but it seems it seems the food and regional cuisine is equally enchanting enough to get me yearning to come back to sample more of it's spice and spirit. Heck, I wanted to jump in the car and drive there several times while writing this article. To get some authentic flavor, I consulted two people who really know food in New Mexico, my friend Jason and … [Read more...]
