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