Non-Consumer Photo Essay -- Santa Fe
My husband and I dedicated the Monday of our New Mexico trip to driving up to Santa Fe for the day. Why Monday? Because we wanted to tour the state capitol building's art instead of paying admission to one of the museums. Mind you, I'm fully aware that the museums are fantastic, but I'll always choose the free option when it's available.
We drove the Turquoise Trail national scenic byway and it did not disappoint. This is how we always drove up to Santa Fe when we were students in the 1990s.
Blue skies + rock formations = worth the drive!
I experimented with taking photos through my polarized Red Cross sunglasses for some extra photographic intensity. I'm now artsy!
The New Mexico State Capitol building, known at the "Roundhouse" is open to the public and has over 300 pieces of artwork on display. It also offers free parking and nice clean bathrooms.
Here are a few of the pieces that spoke to me. This painting that combined Native American imagery with pop art aesthetic. Titled "Spirit Pony of The Canyon." and created by the artist "Tavlos."
I didn't get the artist name for this piece, but this mixed media buffalo is created from film strip, newspaper, plastic spoons, (the eyes) paint brushes and so many other items. It was huge!
My photo does not do justice to this spectacular textile, as the deep pigments simply didn't translate to my crappy phone. Stunning weaving.
This tryptic absolutely glowed from within and I could've spent an hour examining the details.
This photo collage from the artist Patrick Nagatani was especially fun to come across, as he was one of my husband's favorite photography professors back in the day. I met him a number of times and was always a bit intimidated.
Even the handles into the building were created with an artistic eye, with imbedded torquoise.
It reminded me of how the Nebraska state capitol building had numerous corn-centric elements throughout the building, including the handles on this spectacular set of doors.
My husband and took a selfie under the stained glass dome. Unflattering, but does that really matter?
I wanted to reference when we did the same thing under the Nebraska dome in 2023.
Our plan had been to explore the plaza area and then treat ourselves to Frito pies, which were invented at Santa Fe's long gone Woolworth's. I'd read that they were still sold at the "Five & Dime" store. Unfortunately, they'd closed the snack bar down for the day, which left us without a meal plan.
Funny story -- when we lived in Albuquerque, our friends used to reminisce about how amazing it would be when they'd serve "Frito pie" for school lunch. I was so confused about this, as I kept hearing it as "food-o-pie!" It took me awhile to realize what it was they were actually saying.
I decided that our failed plans were the perfect opportunity to hit up a Blake's Lotaburger, which is a New Mexico fast food staple. Home of the New Mexico style burger, which is enormous and loaded with hatch green chile! Priced at a bit over $9, this was a bargain, as it's easy to spend a bundle in Santa Fe! We didn't add fries or drinks, as we had our reusable water bottles.
I love their branding, this guy is just the cutest! Is he Blake?
Lastly we drove around the historic Eastside neighborhood, but didn't actually get out of the car as the sidewalks were either dangerously narrow or simply nonexistent.
We chose the straightforward highway back to Albuquerque, which took around an hour. This deposited us back at the hotel in time for their free "evening reception," which added some much needed fruit and vegetables to our burger dinner.
Santa Fe is always such a satisfying day trip! It would be easy to turn it into something expensive, but with a bit of planning it can be very budget worthy!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Instagram.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.
My husband graduated from high school in Clovis in 1962. I remember him talking about Frito Pie. It was a favorite of the high schoolers even then.
Looks and sounds like you're both having a great time. It's nice to get away every once in awhile...especially when done frugally.
Thank you for the photos of the gorgeous Southwest art. I'm with you on choosing free museums while on vacation. Another addition to my places to visit while away are public libraries. They often have displays of artwork and local history. We ran for cover into one in Rapid City S.D. during a damaging hailstorm and happily browsed the hour or so away.
My sister lives in Santa Fe and it really is a beautiful City. I will have to check out the Capital Building the next time I visit.
I loved the Folk Art Museum and Museum Row. So beautiful.
And I probably won't go to the Balloon Fiesta again. Did it once and it was nice, but extremely crowded for a morning event.
And we won't go to Santa Fe at Christmas either. That was crowded walking around seeing all the farolitos luminarias. Although walking into all the art shops was like visiting a free art museum. There are some extremely talented artists in Santa Fe.
Love seeing all the sights with you! I'm taking a frugal free virtual vacation with you two.
Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous! Everything!
I’ve been to NM a few times. I went with friends when I was in college, and we spent a week camping in Chaco Canyon. It was one of those super frugal trips where we probably ate ramen and beef jerky every day. I don’t think we even brought a tent! Oh, and there was a flash flood. So. Much. Mud. My memory of Albuquerque is getting to shower the mud off!
I'm taking notes! I want a vacation this year to Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Husband wants to go to the Big Island. Decision yet to happen.
I thoroughly enjoyed your photo essay from your trip!! Such beauty. Thank you!!
Great pics! Thanks for sharing them with us. The buffalo is especially amazing.
What a fun trip! We love going to museums and cultural centers when we travel.
My husband and our oldest daughter errands today, taking piles of things we no longer need to a children's consignment shop and a second hand bookstore. They attempted to go to a coin shop but they were closed. My daughter regaled me with their adventures when they got home.
I got the house cleaned and food prepped while our youngest daughter napped. I also made a decent dent into a new audiobook that I'm absolutely loving so far!
It sounds like you've gotten a lot out of your time in NM.
1. I shipped an item I sold on Ebay and dropped it at the post office while I was out.
2. I returned an item to the store that didn't work for me.
3. I used the McDonald's app to get some free fries.
4. I had oatmeal for breakfast one morning and finished off the last of some past the best by date cottage cheese another morning.
5. I paid my son-in-law my portion of our family plan phone service.
Along with everyone else, Katy, I'm greatly enjoying the photos, especially the Capitol building's artwork.
And for everyone's entertainment, here's my funniest story from DH's and my 1994 NM trip: We were doing some bumbling around and wound up in Las Vegas, NM, one night (not to be confused with Las Vegas, NV). As we were finishing our dinner in an excellent Mexican restaurant, we noticed that two or three waitresses were talking in a corner and looking at me. Finally one of them came over and asked shyly, "Are you the lady who plays Gunny on Major Dad?" (Major Dad, for those who don't know or don't remember, was a sitcom about a Major in the Marines who married a journalist with three young daughters. Gunny, or Gunnery Sgt. Bricker, was the secretary to the Major's commanding General--a real spit-and-polish lady Marine.) Apart from my horn-rimmed glasses and my talking in complete sentences, I didn't see much resemblance, but I accepted the compliment--if it was one!--as graciously as I could. DH and I reserved our giggles till we were safely out of the restaurant!
Thanks again for the virtual vacation! What fun!
1. I did my taxes yesterday and both federal and state have been accepted. I owed nothing and I'm not getting a refund, so it seemed like a pointless exercise. But it's done.
2. I took a walk outside for the first time since Thanksgiving, I think. I may have squeezed in a few after the blizzard and before the polar vortex. Anyway, it was refreshing to walk outside. The indoor track at the community center is a great resource, but it gets boring. I picked up a bag full of trash and found a receipt. I also picked up a loaf of bread at the little free pantry. The Pepperidge Farm delivery man drops off all his day-old bread there; it's a great resource.
3. A few days ago I thawed broccoli cheese soup from the freezer. I had it as soup the first day, but it wasn't very cheesy. And it was very thick. Since then I have been having it over toast, with added cheese, and it's better.
4. I am not buying Valentine candy this year. Only one of my grandchildren is nearby, and he is old enough not to care. I am not going to be at home -- I'll be helping a friend convalesce from surgery -- so my plan is to send cash to all four kids. I may buy candy AFTER the day for myself, however. As long as it's deeply discounted.
5. I have always been a shower-every-day person. Since I've gotten older, though, I've noticed that my skin is dryer and more fragile. So I've given myself permission to skip every so often, just cleaning the crucial areas at the sink. Not sure that this actually saves money, since I pay for water through my assessment fees, and those are fixed, and I'm still using cleanser. But it does feel more leisurely!
Truly my favorite city on planet Earth! Being a full time caregiver has made traveling impossible, but posts like this help some. Glad you got to go! Do it now because someday you might not be able to.
Those photos were fantastic! You captured some details that really brings home how cool Santa Fe really is! Thanks for reminding me.