Day 2 - Gallup, New Mexico to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Up at 6:00 (an hour before the alarm) and down for the hotel (in name only) breakfast by 6:45. A short drive back to the West got a Starbucks mocha and then it was off again Eastbound on Interstate 40.

New Mexico is a very pretty state when the sun is coming up. Not that it isn't pretty at other times of the day, but the sun shining over, around and off of the mountains, mesas and red rock outcroppings really is a beautiful sight in the early morning.

Interstate 40 changes quickly from smooth to rough. I'm guessing a combination of winter weather and the abundance of trucks takes it's toll. Dodging the not so filled in potholes quickly becomes an art, which I have nearly mastered. Besides the potholes, another interesting feature is the number of damaged guardrails. And by damaged I don't mean just a small dent. Drivers are taking out 10, 20, 30 or more feet of guardrail, along with the rather substantial posts that secure them in place.

New Mexico is a land of (pick one) indigenous people, native Americans or Indians. Today we passed through the Sandia, San Felipe, Acoma, Laguna and Santo Domingo Pubelos. There may have been more, but not less. Pubelos are not Reservations. Pubelo Indians were granted their land by a 1848 treaty between the United Stated and Mexico.

Arriving in Santa Fe much too early to check in, we did our usual walk up to the Plaza, stopping to visit some of the Indian pottery, jewelry and art establishments that inhabit old downtown. Purchases will be saved till tommorrow after all establishments have been inspected or until Barb finds the earings she wants. At which point it's mission accomplished.

After Some serious window shopping we returned to our upgraded room at The Inn of the Governors. We have been staying there for around 24+ years and always seem to get an upgrade to a suite in The Governors Wing. The Inn is two blocks from the plaza and near everything that matters, like all those pottery, jewerly and art establishments. It's also near really great restaurants like Coyote Cafe, The Shed, and La Plazuela. Tonight it was La Plazuela for really great Northern New Mexico cuisine and tomorrow we will visit our old friend The Shed.

All in all another great day. Now if we can just find thoses earings Santa Fe will be a success.