Destination: Santa Fe, New Mexico

First things first…donut shop…perhaps the best one in New Mexico…but at least the best in Las Vegas, NM.  Charlie’s Spic & Span Bakery & Cafe.  Each donut had to be at least twice the size of our donuts back home.  Not only big, but delicious!

A surprise university was right in the middle of town…the New Mexico Highlands University, founded in 1893.  For such an old institution, the campus was full of many art nouveau buildings.  Their mascots (2) are Cowboys and Cowgirls.

We then traveled on a section of pre-1937 Route 66 to visit the Pecos National Historical Park. This was quite a site!  I’m posting info from the visitor’s center /museum while Carl handles the beautiful grounds and history.  This is an ideal area that humans have called home starting 12,000 years ago.  The museum has a terrific collection of artifacts from the earliest era and forward.  The pottery examples are remarkable.  

Tonight we treated ourselves to a fine dinner at Joseph’s in Santa Fe.  When we were last in Santa Fe about 20 years ago, we ate at this same restaurant but it was located in Taos, just a bit north.  We were thrilled to find Joseph still serving wonderful and unique cuisine.  Carl started out with oysters on the half shell with 3 separate condiments, followed with Barbeque Duck Confit Pad Thai Style, ending with Basil, Vanilla Ginger, Duck Fat  Caramel sorbet.  Whew!  He is quite an adventuresome diner!  Me, I had a steak and strawberry sorbet. 

                                        Carl’s Pad Thai