Our second week in Albuquerque was just as jam-packed as the first.
Enchanted Trails RV Park
After a repair of our landing gear was finalized, we moved from High Desert RV Park to Enchanted Trails RV Park across I-40.
The reason for our move was twofold. First, although High Desert was accommodating and clean, our site was unlevel. Second, Enchanted Trails had more personality, and we were ready for a change.
Interspersed with the RVs at Enchanted Trails are lots of vintage campers and vehicles. We loved checking them out on our daily walks. The park rents out the campers to overnight guests.
This 1950 Hudson Commodore is matched with a 1954 VaKaShunette
Here's something we don't have for our 5th wheel yet. (Not that we need it, gift-buying-types!)
A red and white Shasta is a perfect backdrop for a flamingo lawn ornament
Silver and gold and way-too-cool. We could totally live in this!
This 1974 Silver Streak is named Della
They sure don't make 'em like the used to, huh?
Another Hudson is matched with a 1963 Winnebago canned ham
There were plenty of other pieces of vintage charm around the park, like this directional sign.
This directional sign points out nearby landmarks
The laundry area and recreation room looked like they were right out of the 1950s, and these signs spruced up the maintenance building in the back.
Even the buildings' walls are vintage-cool
I liked that some of the decor was also functional, like this tractor.
Tractors keep each site level with weekly raking
I never knew Airstream made motorhomes until we visited this park — here we saw two of them!
This Airstream Excella motorhome has driven all of Route 66 — and she's for sale
RVs face each other in pairs, so you share a picnic area with your neighbor. We lucked out with a friendly one.
Our neighbor's vintage pickup fit right in
A Day in Santa Fe
On Saturday, we headed up the scenic Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe, where we started our visit with lunch at the Shake Foundation.
Burgers, fries and Taos ice cream milkshakes
It was a little too chilly for milkshakes, but the hatch chile burgers and fries warmed us right up.
And not just any fries. Shoestring fries.
Then we headed to Canyon Road, not really knowing what was in store for us.
Gallery 901 on Palace Avenue
I liked what I found so much, I did a little dance with these guys.
William & Joseph Gallery on Canyon Road
There's something for everyone on this road, which is packed with more than 100 galleries, shops and restaurants all within half a mile.
Santa Kalim on Canyon Road
From sculptures to paintings, whatever you're looking for, you can find it here.
Gallerie Corazon on Canyon Road
The artwork will bring out your contemplative side. For instance, I was wondering if the leash below was to deter thieves or to keep the pup safe at home. Deep, right?
Gypsy Baby on Gypsy Alley
These aren't the only mailboxes that caught my eye.
Mailboxes on Gypsy Alley
This one is embedded in the stucco. Who needs a pole?
Mailbox at Adieb Khadoure Fine Arts
We missed an opportunity to pose kissing this lovely sculpture.
Nüart Gallery on Canyon Road
Either way you go, you're bound to find something interesting along Canyon Road.
Nüart Gallery on Canyon Road
The variety of blues are amazing, from light turquoise to rich navy.
Silver Sun on Canyon Road
Not all of the art is for sale — or what we were expecting.
Private Residence on Canyon Road
Not only are there galleries along the street, but there are even more in the courtyards below and beside it, providing for hours of exploration.
Sculpture 619 on Canyon Road
I think scissors must have won this game.
Selby Fleetwood Gallery on Canyon Road
This gallery was my favorite. Although we never went inside, we spent a while browsing the sculpture garden behind the building.
Selby Fleetwood Gallery on Canyon Road
These origami cranes will never be damaged by the elements, as they're meant to be outside.
Selby Fleetwood Gallery on Canyon Road
The suspended photograph shows the restored building as it once was, giving a glimpse into the centuries-old history of Canyon Road.
Private Residence on Canyon Road
Not all of the art is contemporary. Behind this door are Navajo antiquities, including jewelry, blankets and baskets — all housed in a 275-year-old building.
Michael Smith Gallery on Canyon Road
Off the historic Santa Fe Plaza are many courtyards. This one is two stories, so we climbed the stairs to get a view of the restaurants and shops below.
Off Palace Avenue
We saw plenty of interesting people in Santa Fe, but none cooler than this awesome pup.
At the corner of Lincoln and San Francisco
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Perhaps the greatest hurrah of our second week in Albuquerque was our trip to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.
I had never heard of this remarkable place, but it was recommended to me by @CoryStalker, a virtual friend I met on Yonder, a great app for outdoorsy types.
Tent Rocks was only established as a national monument in 2001, but its name is ancient, meaning "white cliffs" in the traditional Keresan language.
The rock formations here boggle the mind
You don't have to travel all the way to Cappadocia, Turkey to see such fascinating formations. In fact, the national monument is just outside the Cochiti Indian Reservation between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Like Cappadocia, people have occupied this area for a long time — 4,000 years!
If you wanna feel tiny, go hike in a tall slot canyon
These conical rock formations were caused by volcanoes that erupted more than 6 million years ago.
Sunny skies and perfect temperatures
The biggest of the formations are more than 90 feet tall, and they're protected from erosion by boulder caps.
Delving deeper into the slot canyon
Wind and water created this beautiful slot canyon. Much of the time, it's just wide enough for one person, so hikers have to wait their turn.
Slot canyon pinch point
Some boulders have fallen into the canyon over time, making the trail all the more interesting.
The trail goes under this boulder
We took the Cave Loop Trail to the Canyon Trail, a 1.5-mile moderate hike that starts off flat and gets pretty vertical near the end, climbing 630 feet very rapidly.
It's all but impossible to get lost, but cairns mark the way just in case
But it was well worth the effort, because it turned views like this, where we were looking up at the tent rocks —
Tent rocks, all up close and personal
into views like this, where we could see them from above, as well as the desert and mountains beyond.
Snow-capped mountains in the distance
It was a rewarding hike that we won't soon forget.
King of the world!
What are your memories of Albuquerque and Santa Fe? If there's anything special we missed that we must see on our next visit, let us know.
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