Inn of the Governors

The Inn of the Governors on West Alameda is where my maternal grandparents used to stay in the '60s and '70s when they'd visit Santa Fe, which was often. There is a cozy, homey ambiance here. You feel it as soon as you enter the lobby, where they have a lovely sherry and tea hour every afternoon from 4 to 5.

Three kinds of sherry, dry, medium and sweet. I tried them all.

Sunlight floods the lobby at sherry time.

My "superior king" room (with balcony) is ultra-spacious and airy, and the rustic decor features wrought iron fixtures and handsome black and tan carpet.

There are thoughtful little touches throughout....

5-stars: Magnifying makeup mirror

Large dispensers of Gilchrist and Soames shampoo, conditioner and body wash in the shower.
(No little bars to unwrap or bottles to drop.)

Nightlights. It's the little things, people.

The Inn enjoys high Trip Advisor ratings because of its ideal location and relatively affordable rates (which include a hot breakfast) and Del Charro, their lively (and cheap) bar and restaurant that's a favorite among the locals.

The house margarita, with shaker, equals about 2-1/2 margaritas. Proceed with caution.

The real silver of Santa Fe

When someone says "silver" in Santa Fe, you immediately think of the beautiful Indian jewelry sold all over this town. What I've noticed, however, are the number of women with gorgeous silver hair walking around, far more than I've seen at home or anywhere I've traveled. Here are just three examples of women I met who are rocking the gray. Here's to the natural look, Santa Fe style!

Spa receptionist

Art gallery associate

Artist and curator

Santa Fe School of Cooking

Before leaving Santa Fe for Taos, I was fortunate enough to get schooled in the art of making chile rellenos at the Santa Fe School of Cooking.

The fabulous, high-tech classroom at the Santa Fe School of Cooking

Relleno is Spanish for "filled" or "stuffed" and our teacher/chef, Michelle, showed us four ways to make this Mexican classic.

Making a beer batter which was almost as light as tempura. The secret: Lots of warm egg whites.

 The class was hands-on and a lot of fun, and I learned basic cooking tips I never knew including never hit the edge of the bowl with your spatula when folding in egg whites, always refrigerate garlic, and Monterey Jack was a real guy from Monterey, California, who invented the cheese.

The class was divided into three groups so each team could make two recipes and easily observe the other two recipes being prepared.

Filling the ancho chiles with chorizo, refried beans and Monterey Jack cheese.

Cream cheese stuffed jalapenos, ancho chile rellenos with chipotle tomato sauce, chile rellenos and chiles en nogada.

At the end of the three-hour class, we got to sample the fruits of our labor (the chile pepper IS a fruit, not a vegetable) with complimentary beer, wine or delicious iced tea. Highly recommended.

Eat, play, spa - Yes, Santa Fe, there is a Virginia.

From 7th to 12th grade, I attended Loretto Academy in Kansas City, run by the spunky Sisters of Loretto. It was a progressive and innovative, all-girls school and I loved the nuns who taught there. (Most of them, anyway.) So, when I learned that my beautifully appointed treatment room at the Spa at Loretto used to be a classroom in the old Loretto School in Santa Fe, I felt right at home.

The room looked just like this. Clawfoot tub, private bathroom with shower, gorgeous old pine floors.

The spa director set me up for a Mindful Massage. "Oh, you have Virginia," the spa receptionist said. "You're going to love her."  I wondered if there really could be too much of a good thing. Four spa treatments in four days? How impressed could I be? An hour later, I was telling Virginia that she was put on the planet to rub people and that it was the best massage I ever had. Some people are simply gifted and Virginia is one of them. Highly recommended.

Last day in Santa Fe...no agenda

With no itinerary except a dinner date with a new friend, I'm making it a resort day with a brief shopping session thrown in this afternoon. La Posada de Santa Fe is known as the art hotel which ensures that, everywhere I roam, I will be surrounded by fabulous works of local and regional art selected by the resort's own curator.

And the food at Fuego Restaurant is a work of art, too.

Benedict del Mar Verde

Southwest Omelet (dig the little jam and butter plate!)

After eating a hearty breakfast, one can walk off the calories on the expansive grounds or in the well-equipped workout room.

That doesn't necessarily mean that I will...but it is nice to know it's available. I'm leaving my options open today.