Day Two – We get into vacation mode
So, on Day Two, after another delicious breakfast at our B&B, El Farolito, we decided to go check out Tent Rocks National Monument on the Cochiti Pueblo. Absolutely the most amazing place we’ve seen in Santa Fe. The Tent Rocks are volcanic remnants that have been eroded into giant, pointy turrets. We got ambitious, and took the adventurous trail that leads up through a “slot”: a narrow, winding cavern between tent rocks, up to a very high vista point. And I mean narrow. And also covered in snow and ice. We hiked up for a good hour, and we were determined to make the point. Unfortunately, the ice at the upper elevations, combined with the fact that I was wearing a pair of Uggs rather than hiking boots, made it too treacherous. So we turned around. Still, we had two hours of great exercise, beautiful scenery and great photo ops.
Then, we headed back to the Plaza to Cowgirl BBQ where we shared guacamole, green chili stew and a green chili cheese burger. And I had a couple of festive margaritas. That’s when I started feeling like I was really on vacation. 
We capped off our day with an incredible meal at The Compound. It’s too swanky, and too dark, to take many pictures, but we did snag a few. It’s a beautiful space. I had an endive salad and Scallops Diane. I could have licked my plate. Les had Butternut Squash Soup and the Beef Tenderloin. We shared Coconut Cream Pie and a deconstructed cheesecake for dessert. A lovely meal, although Geronimo is still our favorite. We’re heading there for New Year’s Eve.
Today… Ten Thousand Waves and dinner at Leon and Pamela’s!
You can find all of our vacation photos here.
Our First 24 Hours
In Santa Fe. VERY cold and snowy! After we made it to El Farolito, we went to India Palace with Leon and Caldwell, who are the very best company. This morning, we went to several museums, including the Palace of the Governors and the Museum of Fine Art. We also grabbed a hot chocolate and palmier at the French Pastry Shop and Cafe. Then later, we ate lunch at The Pantry. Yummy green chile stew!
Now, we’re just taking a break before catching the Broadway show tunes at La Cantina!
A Girl and Her Dogs
Actually, Angus is missing. But Finn and Izzy are representing! Les was taking some photographs for friends today, so he tested out his camera on me and the girls.
Tonight, we are eating Chinese food and watching The Princess Bride, one of my all-time favorite movies. If we’re still awake, we might watch From Beyond… another classic! In the morning we’ll open our presents and stockings in front of the fire, after we eat our traditional tamale breakfasts. Then we’re off to Philip and Craig’s for Christmas dinner and Martha and Bryan’s for Christmas cocktails. Then home to pack for our holiday!
The Family That Plays Together…
The skies finally cleared in Dallas, although we had a high in the 30s. Les was going to go to the shooting range, but my whining made him reconsider. So we walked the dogs down by the river on the Trinity River Levee Trail.
I was worried that Izzy would get cold, so I layered her up. Les though she looked like a bag lady.
But she just takes after her mother. Nice hat. I think I had three sweaters on under my coat.
Then we went to El Ranchito for lunch. I guess we wanted get an early start on all the eating that we’ll do in Santa Fe. While we were there, the mariachi band start playing, complete with disco lights. A bit much for Sunday lunch, but hey, definitely festive!
Now we’re snuggled up, waiting for our steaks to finish grilling and watching Lost Boys 2. Classic holiday movies are always so enjoyable. Two works days and then 12 days off. Hooray!
Home for the Holidays
I’m home until we leave for Santa Fe the day after Christmas. Above are pictures from my last, very good, meal in Southern California. We sat at the gargantuan communal table at Le Pain Quotidien in Pasadena. I had Mint Chamomile Tea and Curry Chicken Salad Tartine. Another great chain that isn’t in Texas. Now, I’m sitting in front of a roaring fire with a small dog on my lap and tea by my side. It’s 30 degrees in Dallas today but it’s great to be home, no matter how cold.
Tags: travel, food, restaurants, Southern California
It's That Time of Year When the World Falls in Love
Every song you hear seems to say, “Merry Christmas”. That’s what the band is singing in the giant tent below my room at the Hyatt Regency Century City. Above is the view from my balcony. I’m enjoying my last trip of 2008 here in southern California. I flew into John Wayne Airport and had a quick visit to Orange County, before driving down to San Diego. I stayed in a new Marriott Courtyard. They seem to be taking a page from Hyatt Place. The rooms have wi-fi and big flat screen TVs. The lobby is full of flat-screens, electrical outlets and data ports, so that you can hang out and be all connected. There is a bar and a take out counter. I see that hotels are really courting the business traveler with technology and comfort, but in a self-service, economical format. Not bad for $129 a night. But this evening, I’m back in Los Angeles at the luxe Hyatt Regency. I am marveling at how technology is improving our lives. While being driven from San Diego to Los Angeles, I was hooked up to the internet using my computer’s built-in wireless card. So I popped my web-cam onto my laptop and opened Skype to call Les. So, there I am, in the car, on the web, talking to my husband via webcam. For free! It’s just like the Jetson’s or something!!!
So, two more days in LA, and a day in Pasadena, and then I fly home. Then it’s just a week and a half until Christmas and our annual trip to Santa Fe. I love the holidays!
Tags: southerncalifornia, travel, hotels, technology, work
Inspiration
Our friends, Barb and Dick, just returned from a three week trip to Patagonia. Despite being in their mid-sixties, and Dick’s cancer diagnosis, they hiked all over on what Barb said was “the most strenuous trip” they had ever taken. And this is from someone that has kayaked and long-distanced ski-ed across Alaska! They are a testimony to positive mental attitude and healthful living. I hope I have a fraction of her energy when I’m their age.
Another Jingle Bells on Bishop
Another Jingle Bells on Bishop on Flickr – Photo Sharing!
It’s weird when you start anniversary-ing things you’ve blogged about. It makes me even more aware of time passing by. Although things certainly are different this year. For one thing, I no longer allow myself to look at my investments or 401k. I may check it again in about 2 years. But, life goes on. So, last night Howard, Lisa, Les and I went down to Bishop Arts for Jingle Bells on Bishop, It was terribly quiet, but maybe that’s because it was Friday night. We had an awesome meal at Eno’s Pizza. We walked around a bit and went into the new bookstore, Dicho’s and had cake and coffee at the little bakery in the back. We stopped by Indigo and Fete and then waddled home. Today I’ll purchase my last Christmas gift while Les spends the day in Santa’s Workshop. He’s making me something for Christmas. Hooray!
Tags: bishoparts, jingle bells on bishop, dallas, oak cliff, eno’s pizza and tavern, fete, indigo 1745, cretia’s dicho’s, holidays,