April 19, 2023

We are in Santa Fe, NM currently, as we start our way home. Went down town to the Plaza of Santa Fe Monday and looked around the shops. This is a very artsy area and the prices reflect that. But the area attracts tourist from all over the country. One of the shops had all sort of metal art, large and small figures. Almost purchased a small one for $$$ but decided against it. Beautiful stuff though. 





We visited the Loretto Chapel in down town which is noted for the spiral staircase that goes up to the choir loft. It was made without nails by a carpenter who only had a hammer and a carpenter's square. The staircase is known as the "miraculous staircase" because it has two complete 360 degrees turns with no center pole for structural support.  He finished the work then left without thanks or payment and remains unknown to this day. The type of wood has been identified as a type of spruce that is not native to New Mexico and scientifically not identified anywhere else in the world. The bannister's were added ten years later (in 1887) due to the difficulty of climbing the tall tapered stairs with no railing.The underside of the stairs were originally open but was filled in with a horse hair and lime mixture painted to look like wood. It is theorized that the carpenter could be Fracois-Jean Rochas, a reclusive rancher and carpenter who came to New Mexico from France around the 1870s. He was killed in 1895, but there is no proof.


Hiking today at the Thumb Trailhead about 10 miles from our campground. Beautiful day with temps in the low 50's and sunny. Nice trail with some hills to climb. walked for an hour and got our 5000 steps.




This may be the last post for this season. After we leave here it's making it for home. We should be there either April 26th or 27th. That would be 167 days on the road. We have about 1400 miles to go so it could be 5 more stops after we leave here on Friday.

 We loved Moab, Utah so much for the town and trails including Arches National Park that we booked a month there next spring. And yes it coincides with the Jeep Safari 2024 over Easter. Now I just need bigger tires on the Jeep 😅



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