Santa Fe Oil Drip - 2022

Once again, everyone chose how to best spend the third day of the Oil Drip. Debbie and myself, accompanied by Lloyd and Michael decided to visit Albuquerque  - about 60 miles to the south of Santa Fe. We packed in a full day with visits to the Wildlife West Nature Park, Old Town Albuquerque, and Sandia Crest. We chose the backroad route to east Albuquerque known as the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway which passes through a number of the old Turquoise mining towns including Madrid and Cerrillos. This turned out to be a very enjoyable drive on a generally well-paved road through a scenic landscape - a great contrast from the freeway we had used previously between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. We arrived at the Wildlife West Nature Park a little after 10am. The park is devoted to taking care of native animals and birds that have been rescued, and for one reason or another cannot be returned to the wild.  The animals and birds are housed in large fenced enclosures on a huge property, and a paved

One of the features of the new "hub and spoke" model for this trip was the freedom it gives participants to do their own thing each day and then rejoin the group back at the central base at the end of the day. Today was a good example. I will report on the choice we made to visit the Bandelier National Monument. We were joined by Mary and Drew, Christine and Rick, and Michael.  Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged but beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back over 11,000 years.  Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities. The park is about 60 miles from Santa Fe, of which the last 20 or so are by shuttle bus due to limited parking at the Frijoles Canyon visitor center.  Ruby and Earl After the 20 minute shuttle ride we embarked on the 1.4mile Main Loop trail that took

Many of us had driven more than 1000 miles over 3 days to reach Santa Fe, so the first day was largely a "no drive" day with opportunity for relaxation. Everyone chose to do this in their own way. Several chose to experience Meow Wolf - an "Immersive Art Adventure".  https://meowwolf.com/visit/santa-fe Others walked around the shops and galleries that fill the downtown area close to our hotel - The Inn of the Governors, ideally located to experience the downtown area.  Beautiful flowers decorate the balconies at the Inn of the Governors Debbie and I spent the morning visiting the downtown area of Santa Fe, before visiting the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens, and a couple of local Nurseries in the afternoon. The downtown plaza surrounded by stores and galleries Santa Fe Botanical Gardens