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USA

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-- From 2012/11/19 to 2012/11/25
-- From Albuquerque to Taos, back to Santa Fe
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The GPS road tacklog
From Albuquerque to Taos
from 2012/11/19 au 2012/11/25

Albuquerque

I remained at KOA-Kampground up to midday to carry domestic and administrative works. Then I did shopping without much success. Finally I returned to Wal-Mart for overnight.

Petroglyph National Monument

On the way to Santa Fe I made a detour to visit Petroglyph National Monument located beyond the Rio Grande and at the bottom of an ancient volcano. Rinconada Canyon has approximately 1200 petroglyphs dating back from 400 to 700 years. They were pecked in the basaltic rock. The four-km walk is a rapture for eyes, animals, insects and humans were represented. I arrived in the late afternoon at the carpark of Wal-Mart in Santa Fe at approximately 2000 meters of altitude.

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And the Spanish came

Santa Fe

The state of New Mexico counts a little less than two million inhabitants and its capital, Santa Fe around 72000. One should not expect museums which they are as those of the big cities on east-coast. The exposed objects are worthy of interest, alas very often No Photo.

Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi

The cathedral of St Francis of Assisi has the oldest statue of Madonna in the USA, “La Conquistadora”, whose history is related to the conquest of the NM by the Spanish. She is in Santa Fe since 1693.

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Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

The first visit was the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum who lived in Abiquiu and who became an icon of New Mexico. The photographs presented are those of the booklet!

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Purple Hills Ghost Ranch Ghost Ranch Landscape

New Mexico Museum of Art

New Mexico Museum of Art exhibits art in all these aspects, Anglo-American.

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Acequia Madre by Fremont F. Ellis Padernal with Red Hills by Georgia O'Keeffe

New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors

By-against the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum is a vast building gathering the history of Native American, Spanish and the conquest of the state by American, not always glorious.

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Palace of the Governors
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State Capitol

Finally I finished the day by the visit of State Capitol which does not resemble those of the other states. Architecture is circular surrounding a rotunda with on the ground the symbol of the state, Zia Sun Symbol. I am always admiring facility with which it is possible to visit these buildings without any control.

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I must plead guilty not to know the public holidays in the USA. This November 22nd fourth Thursday in November is the day of Thanksgiving. Out thus I found closed doors at museums on Museum Hill. Consequently I installed me on the empty carpark of The Home Depot to profit from Wi-Fi connection before returning on that of Wal-Mart for overnight. Tomorrow…

In this last Friday of November I climbed, with my truck, the Museum Hill where four museums are. I must make amend of my judgment of Wednesday. The visit, superficial, of these museums was an enchantment.

Museum of Spanish Colonial Art

The museum of Spanish Colonial Art presents some ancient objects and especially 20th century. It reflects the policy of the Spanish Empire, Glory, Gold & God.

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Museum of International Folk Art

The Museum International Folk Art is especially dedicated to the collection of Alexander Girad, Multiple Vision: A common bond. Puppets coming from the whole world are put in scenes within their culture. The other galleries gather temporary exhibitions, as that devoted to the popular art in the Andes.

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Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

Well yes, there is a museum entirely dedicated to Indian Art & Culture. It would take more than one day to visit it. A walk in eight stages, ancestors, cycles, architecture, the language & song, animals & plants, exchange, survival and arts. Other rooms are devoted to the painting by Magarete Bagshaw and basketry.

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Wheelwright Museum

The fourth museum is primarily a trading post where a cerberus takes care to prohibit photo.

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Taos

After a cold night, -2°C under my truck, I moved towards Taos at the bottom of mountains north of Santa Fe. On the way an accident caused a stop prolonged with landing of a medical helicopter. I arrived in mid-morning in the sun and a limpid blue sky at around 2100 meters of altitude. The air was cold. I went at once in Taos Pueblo to avoid the crowd of end of the week. The visit was rather disappointing, no animation in the village. Only the shops were open. I lunched in my truck on the spot. In the afternoon at Taos I visited the Blumenscheins Museum. Then I strolled in Taos, shops for tourists and restaurants if not nothing… Taos and Taos Pueblo were not a great moment.

Taos Pueblo

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Taos

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Street in Old City Kit Carson's Home
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Church at Ranchos by Blumenscheins Mountainn in Arizona by Blumenscheins

Gabriel's

On the way towards Santa Fe I lunched at Gabriel's on advice of my Texan friends Olivia & Fred H., at exit the 176 of Hwy #285. The waiter advised me Plato de Carnitas, very tasty, accompanied by a wine glass, Louis Martini. Then I continued my road up to Santa Fe to bivouac at Wal-Mart, for one week I have spent my nights at Wal-Mart…