Friday, August 26 -- The Last Day

WARNING:  This is a long one.  Get a cup of coffee and relax. The photos with the text about the flea market are just for interest.  Cameras are not allowed on tribal lands.

Our last day in the Land of Enchantment.  We have been enchanted, entranced, entertained and enveloped.  We have time to ourselves today to revisit favorite places and explore new ones.  The Tesuque Pueblo Indian flea market is a must for me on each trip.  It is usually the first place I go; where I usually purchase my first silver and turquoise trinket.  But this was the last day and all of my treasures were since accumulated.  Still, I can shop 'til I drop, much to hubby's dismay.  There were bargains to be had, but I figured that a line really needed to be drawn somewhere in this sandy ground.

  The little bowl of cereal we had for breakfast was no longer keeping us satisfied and the aroma of Santa Fe victuals was enticing us to discover the source.  I had read somewhere that a particular food booth here could rival the best restaurant in town.  We were hoping that we found it...Maria's.  Perhaps that was she at the grill with an aged woman at her side to assist with our order.  I can imagine the wrinkled, experienced hands making a fresh tortilla for my bean and cheese burrito.  Steve ordered a sope', which is similar to a gordita, we were told, but instead of stuffing the taco, the ingredients were placed on top.  While we waited for our order, we sat at a shaded table with a cold drink -- a combination of lemonade and watermelon juice.  Refreshing !

Bellies filled once again, we walked between the booths, looking for one last souvenir.  We learned quickly that if you show the slightest interest in something the vendor was soon beside you to offer a deal.  This seemed to apply to those who were, no doubt, from Mexico, and most likely needed to send their earnings back to family.  I tried hard to find something in order to help a man I learned was named Juan.  Because I spoke to him in broken Spanish, he said, he would give me a better price.  Alas, I was unable to help him and hoped that another visitor might.

All week I had been searching for more Mexican blouses because it was warmer than my wardrobe; I brought too many long sleeves.  I could not resist choosing two tops from a sweet lady from Guatemala.  Short and plump, and ready with a lower price, she accomodated me with a grateful smile.  We found two other goodies here, but I will not reveal what they were, since they are to be gifts.  On the way out I tried very hard to pass the bead booth, but that proved too difficult for me and I stepped forward to fondle the pretty strands.  Steve knew I lusted after the amethyst sugalite bear necklace and he purchased it for me, placing it around my neck.  Some of the beads hanging from the ceiling escaped their moorings and jumped into my straw shopping basket, and I found it necessary to rescue them.  I was happy to leave with heishi and magnesite.

From here we traveled scenic Bishops Lodge Road back to the edge of town.  I drove so that Steve could enjoy a rare glimpse of something other than asphalt.  That was short-lived since he just is not a good rider.  After hearing from a friend in Albuquerque expound the virtues of Hyde Park Road, and then meeting a local who reiterated the same we drove to the Santa Fe ski basin in the mountains above town.  The temperature at the bottom was a warm 84 degrees and dropped steadily as we rose in elevation.  The winding narrow road lead us through fragrant pine forests and into the quaking aspens.

This is a day for wildlife, it seems.  We pass a pair of tawny bucks in the shelter of the trees above the road.  A photo opportunity.  Earlier this morning a checkered snake near our trailer was lounging in the warmth of the road, obviously having had his own breakfast quite recently.  We did not believe him to be harmful, but we respectfully gave his four-foot length a wide berth.  Birds which may be common here are a treat to see because they are unusual to me; the blue birds are a gentian never seen at home.  Sweet chipmunks are always a favorite of mine, too !

At 10,400 feet we reach the top of the mountain, the ski lift abandoned for the season and awaiting the first good snowfall.  Now twenty degrees cooler, 64 feels awesome, especially knowing that we will not enjoy this coolness for months to come.  We begin our descent, passing the majestic views which we sought at the top, and leave behind begrudgingly.

Back at town-level we map our way to the downtown plaza where we had not yet been together; this is usually something we share.  Curious as to the road blocks around the plaza, we discover the reason... a rainbow of vintage cars, shown off by the just-as-colorful owners.  Although a treat for these ex-owners of a 1955 Chevy Belair, our current mission is to locate the shop where Steve usually finds his only purchase of the trip, a Santa Fe-ish leather belt.  We are successful and leave with the prize -- a length of brown leather accented by silver medallions, stamped with Zuni sun symbols.  Although we still have 59 shopping minutes on our parking meter our tired tourist bodies bid us rest.  We gift the free time to the next silver-seeker.

This is the time of year when Hatch green chiles ripen and are sought far and wide by connoisseurs of the firm, fleshy, fiery pepper.  We are here at an opportune time.  Not necessarily for ourselves, but for friends who cannot get them otherwise.  Normally you find stands on nearly every street corner offering these southwestern must-haves.  Roasters blacken the chiles while you wait, the tang bringing tears to your eyes, like a fresh-cut onion.  Although I had seen chiles at the farmer's market, it was too early to get them.  We were lucky to find them at a grocery store for much less than the "tourist price," too !  Woo hoo !

We make our way back to our home away from home, discussing what to do for our last Santa Fe meal.  We had made a point to try a different place each time but we opted for a favorite place because it was raining gatos un perros, and it was closest.  We shared the Mi Generale plate which consisted of a thin tasty skirt steak, grilled shrimp, nopalitos, jalapeno rice, and a bowl of charro beans.  Oh yes...and two large fresh flour tortillas.  Washed down with iced tea and an icy margarita.

The rain stopped by the time we left and I could not help wishing we could see this in Texas.  Refreshing, energizing moisture from heavy skies.  It was beautiful.  We know that tomorrow we will leave the land of summer monsoons and return to the dry hellish piece of earth that we call home.  We were told this week that the Native Americans had been producing their wares in the shape of frogs.  More than usual.  This was to ensure the rains would come.  I left a swimming pool full of tadpoles when we left home 8 days ago.  Maybe that will tempt the rains to change venue and make a long visit to the skies over our parched fields.

 Our bodies tired from a long last day, we want only sleep and Steve succumbs first.  I suffer yawns a bit longer to write what you may be reading tomorrow.  I hope you have enjoyed it.