My Roadtrip To Santa Fe, New Mexico
By Kristin Taff
Two weeks ago, I had a strong universal push to hit the road to Santa Fe, New Mexico. It’s a place that’s been calling me back for years now.
I looked at my budget to see if I could swing a three-week excursion, something I had never done before. I trusted that if I only did the things on the top of my list and chose my accommodations wisely, I could pull it off. My desire for an extended trip was long overdue. I was also ready to unleash the intrigue of why Santa Fe kept calling me back. I knew a perfect time would never arrive. It was clear it was exactly what I needed to do.
My remake journey was taking the road
So, I packed my car and my dog, and off we went. I'm not sure I've ever felt this wild and free as I did on the road. Our first night we landed in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the next day we pushed it 10 hours to Amarillo, Texas. On day three, we finally landed in Madrid, a quirky little artist town about 20 minutes outside of Santa Fe
My first mission was to go back to a gallery where I bought my favorite art piece 18 years ago. The town hadn’t really changed. It’s as if it’s still lost in time. I was greeted by the kindest people, and even had a musician welcome me by singing “Georgia on My Mind” at the restaurant where I had lunch. Romeo plopped down beside me and soaked in the music and chill vibes.
Where we stayed in Madrid
I decided to keep it quirky while in Madrid and booked a red bus named “Flo.” It had been converted into a stationary AirbnB. After lunch, we made the trek up the mountain to find Flo. I knew from the directions we were going on an adventure. We arrived after a rocky drive in the desert and found her tucked behind the junipers. Romeo was in heaven! We couldn't hear a sound for miles. It was tranquil, peaceful, and for sure one of the more adventurous things I have ever done solo. That evening the temps dropped to 29 degrees. I would love to say I could tend the little wood-burning fireplace that was nestled inside Flo, but not a skill set I’ve acquired! LOL! So, after a frigid night, I got up extra early to make coffee hoping to warm up, and hit the road.
Only a 25-mile drive and an unexpected beautiful snowfall, we landed in a warm cozy casita in downtown Santa Fe. The first thing I did was take a warm shower, and then off I went to the grocery store, honoring the budget. I was ready to revisit old places and discover newly recommended restaurants and art museums several friends had suggested were a must-see. I made dinner a few nights in and enjoyed a few local spots, such as The Shed and Cafe Pasquales. One of my favorite museums is the Georgia O’Keefe exhibit. After I left I just kept thinking of the connection I had with her. What an inspiration she was and still is today.
I have more to return to in Santa Fe before I leave, but our next Airbnb was about 30 minutes north. I was excited about being outside of town and experiencing the sunsets I had envisioned. I wanted to feel the vastness of the mountain range and clean air, and explore hiking and solitude. Right when I drove up, I knew we had landed on incredible views and the golden sunsets I was craving.
A tiny man with a long, grey beard greeted me after about an hour. He is part of the Ram Dass Ashram that I had passed on the way here. He and his wife have lived on the 28-acre property for 30 years. The first thing I did was walk up to the pergola that is perched on top of a mountain peak. I sat down on a concrete bench that I assumed was for meditation and soaked in the 360-degree views. I’ve been to a lot of beautiful places in my life but I think this tops my list. I’m not sure if it’s the season of life I’m in or my location, but all I could think of was this was the most peaceful I have ever felt.
I’m on day 5 of 10 days at our next casita. After much solitude, I was happy to greet my friend Susie, who had decided to fly in and join the adventure with me for 5 days. As soon as I picked her up at the airport, we went straight to Ojo Caliente, an incredible mineral springs spa close to Taos; after a lovely four-hour soak, we had a reservation at a quaint little restaurant, The Love Apple, a little catholic church that was built around the 1800s and in operation for 100 years. It was well worth the long drive up. The intimate ambiance was so enchanting, and the food did not disappoint. Susie and I both realized that no one had a cell phone out, and everyone was engaged in one another’s conversation. It was magical energy!
The next day we hiked Bandelier National Park, and afterward we enjoyed a lovely dinner at home using some of the homemade spices I bought while visiting Santuario de Chimayo, a national historic landmark famous for its founding and a contemporary pilgrimage site. It’s another well-worth visit.
“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.”
— Georgia O’Keefe
Conclusion
Maybe my call back to Santa Fe is about spiritual and creative energy. It’s so quiet and tranquil you can hear yourself think more clearly. The call to step away from my home office where complacency was setting in and let the vast landscape ignite me with renewed energy. I was craving the golden hues to illuminate me from the inside out. It’s something we all need in order to feel alive, motivated, and energetic. If we always wait on the perfect moment to make a move or a change in our lives, the only result from waiting is complacency. I appreciate you for taking the time to read about my road trip experience to Santa Fe, and I hope it inspires you in some way. We all need to listen to the push, even if it’s terrifying.
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