Rented vintage china - each place setting different - and the most gorgeous flowers I've ever seen. |
My life's adventures including - but not limited to - consumer reviews of products, services and travel experiences of interest to baby boomer women.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
No rest for the road weary.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty
We've stayed in some plush places on this trip, but no lodging feature has been more sight-for-sore-eyes-worthy than the whirlpool tub in Hampton Inn and Suites Room 602. I was incredibly stiff - sore, even! - from sitting all day on the journey from Santa Fe to OKC. (This is a new development I'm attributing to age.) A twenty-minute soak (and a little scotch) loosened me up for a night on Bricktown before the four-hour drive home tomorrow.
Whirlpool for two next to the wet bar. Winning combination. |
The corner room is ultra-comfortable and the view from our window makes me want to cry, "Plaaaaay ballllll!"
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. I could catch a good fly ball from here. |
Next up, a walking tour of Bricktown then Tapwerks Ale House and Cafe and Earl's Rib Place where I will not be having tequila or anything containing chiles. Tomorrow, my own bed. Ahhhh......
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
The windows of La Plazuela
The restaurant at La Fonda Santa Fe might be my favorite room in the whole world. I went a little overboard taking photos last night, thinking I may want to replicate some of them on the two little windows of our master bath. Project!
Ten Thousand Waves of Wonderful
The entrance to 10K Waves spa. 91 steps up to heaven. |
Looking down from the locked door, and we had the key! |
I actually took this from the water. Thank God my phone lives to tell the tale. |
They even had a closet for our standard-issue kimonos. |
85 minutes in the tub cost $100 for both of us. The overall experience and emotional bliss well worth the cost. |
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Farmers' Market and Folk Art
We're going to end our day in the most leisurely and luxurious way, so we got busy this morning and took in the Santa Fe Farmers' Market.....
and followed up with a visit to our favorite museum anywhere, the International Folk Art Museum.
We had already visited in 2008, but returned to see the Japanese kite exhibit which was nothing short of amazing...
Color me inspired.
Roasting peppers over the flame |
The Tuesday market at the Santa Fe Railyard |
Lots of chiles to choose from |
Door hangers for fall |
From the permanent collection. This is but one 3-dimensional scene featuring hundreds of dolls. |
This kite was huge - probably 16' by 10' |
Note number of strings required to get these babies to take wing. |
My favorites. |
Passamentrie, Bell Tower Bar, El Farol, La Fiesta Lounge
Watching the sunset from the Bell Tower Bar at La Fonda is a must-do on everyone's Santa Fe list. It was chilly last night, but the staff had Mexican blankets (and margaritas) and I had my new fab jacket purchased at Passamentrie, my favorite shop in Santa Fe which is - for better or worse - located downstairs in the hotel.
As sunset nears, the crowd grows and anticipation builds. Cameras come out, photographers stake out their spot.
When the sun finally falls behind the mountain, everyone applauds then quickly dashes off to their restaurant of choice. (For the record, I have to say that despite the Rocky Mountains looming in the distance, sunsets here can't hold a candle to sunsets in Kansas.)
We chose El Farol on Canyon Road, the oldest restaurant and cantina in Santa Fe, famous for their tapas.
Then, it was back to the hotel where we enjoyed a nightcap in the La Fiesta Lounge with a dozen of our new best friends and listened to the Wise Guys....
...who were so good, the hubs actually danced with me ALONE on the wide open dance floor. (The nightcap didn't hurt in that regard, either.) Here's a sample of the Guys. We're going back to hear them tonight.
Even those huge Foster Grants couldn't stop me from squinting into the sun. |
When the sun finally falls behind the mountain, everyone applauds then quickly dashes off to their restaurant of choice. (For the record, I have to say that despite the Rocky Mountains looming in the distance, sunsets here can't hold a candle to sunsets in Kansas.)
mejillonesmussels steamed in sherry-mustard cream with carrots and scallions |
Then, it was back to the hotel where we enjoyed a nightcap in the La Fiesta Lounge with a dozen of our new best friends and listened to the Wise Guys....
...who were so good, the hubs actually danced with me ALONE on the wide open dance floor. (The nightcap didn't hurt in that regard, either.) Here's a sample of the Guys. We're going back to hear them tonight.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Monday in Santa Fe
A storm was moving in last night as we dined at a place called The Palace Saloon, described by a local magazine as 'nice and a little naughty.' It was literally too dark to take any photos, but I ordered a "Dona's Damiana margarita" that was so memorable, we went to a local liquor store and bought a bottle of the mysterious herbal liqueur with legendary aphrodisiac qualities to take home. Okay, we bought two.
The hubs was drawn to the bottle, oddly enough. |
This morning, we were treated to a delicious breakfast in La Plazuela, the gorgeous restaurant here at La Fonda (more photos coming later.)
...and given the grand tour by Ed, the sales director for the hotel. It turns out, our room (which has windows on two sides) served as the model/prototype room during the renovation. We have the only clawfoot tub/shower (which really isn't very user-friendly) in the hotel.
Loving that raised sitting area by the window. And, I really want to steal the rug. |
The hotel boasts the most impressive collection of art - we're talking millions of dollars worth- I've ever seen, and there are impeccable nooks and crannies everywhere. Gorgeous.
A cozy nook in the lobby. |
After breakfast and the tour, we headed to the Loretto Chapel to see the famous floating staircase...
How does it stay up? It's a mystery. |
then on to the newly opened Museum for Contemporary Native American art for more inspiring sights.
Gorgeous beadwork |
Dreamcatcher bra and racoon jockstrap. (They wouldn't let us buy them.) |
I couldn't get this woman to stop pouring sand on my head. |
Did I mention it's sunny, 63 degrees and 30% humidity? I love this town.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Ooh la La Fonda!
Our Deluxe King Room |
Each room features an individually hand-painted headboard, done by local artists. |
I've always wanted to try one of these! |
Bathroom. Note how the door slides on wrought iron tracks. |
Clawfoot tub with shower. |
The perks of travel writing are many, my friends. Cheers! More later....
On the high road to Santa Fe
They did not permit photos inside the church but you can see some stunning images and read all about it here.
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