New Mexico lowrider

This half of a lowrider car is on exhibit at the Santa Fe State Capitol, a tribute to an Hispanic cultural custom:

Oooooooh, Pei Wei!

When we have visited our kids in Texas and when we lived in Kansas, one of our favorite places to eat was Pei Wei, the diner version of P.F. Chang's Asian Restaurant.

I've missed Pei Wei ever since we moved, so last night was a real treat. We were in Albuquerque, where there are two Pei Wei locations, so that's where we went for dinner.

Teriyaki chicken rice bowl! Mango chicken! Yum Yum Yum. I swear I think I could eat their food every single day.

What I am hoping for now is that some P.F. Chang's corporate executive has the idea to open a Pei Wei in Santa Fe. They would sure get our business ... and very often.



(The view of the Sandia's from the front of the restaurant...)

Riding the rails to debt?

It looks like the Rail Runner is going to be a huge issue in the political campaigns this year.

The Democrats who are running for office, generally support it (it is known as Bill Richardson's legacy here) and in some cases, want to expand it.

The Republicans are for the most part are opposed to it, and some want to scrap it entirely, because it is a huge money loser for the state, racking up millions of dollars in debt the longer it operates.

As for John and I, we think it is cool to see it in Santa Fe and we like to watch it. HOWEVER, when we look in the cars and try to estimate how many people we see riding it at any give time, the cars are mostly empty. I guess we are not seeing it during the rush hours in the morning and evening; perhaps it has some riders then, but I don't think they are enough to keep it in the black.


(The Rail Runner in Santa Fe June 1, 2010, Cerrillos Road and St. Francis Drive))

Up in the mountains

We went up for a drive to the top of the Sangre de Cristos a couple of weeks ago when our kids were out here visiting.

We never get tired of that trip up the mountain, and it's always fun to take visitors up there:

The Burrito Company

We love the Burrito Company just off the Plaza in Santa Fe. The place is nothing fancy but the food is fresh and delicious and the menu is huge.

We recently went there when the whole family was in town for a visit ... and no-one was disappointed.

At the Railyard in Santa Fe

The Railyard district in Santa Fe has been undergoing development and renovation for several years, and has become a wonderful people place.

Our grandchildren enjoyed the playground there during Memorial Day weekend:

Tin-Nee-Ann in Santa Fe

Tin-Nee-Ann is one of our favorite stores in Santa Fe. A fun place to shop for souvenirs, but at prices we can afford. The place is packed with colorful and fun items.

Tin-Nee-Ann is fun on a normal shopping trip, but even more so when accompanied by a six year old who loves to pose for pictures.

Campaign 2010 heats up in New Mexico

The political campaigns are beginning to heat up here in the state now that the primary election is over and both sides have our candidates.

John and I looking forward to working on the gubernatorial campaign, which is going to be an historic battle royal between two women.

Saw this sign on Susana Martinez's Facebook page:

Realburger

Realburger is not too far down the road from us on the way into Santa Fe on the Old Pecos Trail. It is located right next door to a motel, The Old Pecos Inn, and gets a huge crowd of locals and tourists for the breakfast, lunch and dinner crowd. It's been busy every time we go there. Nothing fancy inside - but bright colorful decor and a HUGE area for seating so you never have to wait.

We like the eclectic menu - from hamburgers (green chile cheeseburgers - my favorite!) to a large selection of New Mexican food and just plain old homecooking. We've been there several times and had the same waiter each time - a friendly and efficient but not intrusive young man.

Realburger appears to be a place where locals on the southside of Santa Fe go for simple but good food, and to meet up with friends. Nice place. We'll be going back a lot.

Oh, my wonderful penstemons!

They are everywhere. Every year they multiply. Our front yard is full of them, and they bloom for a long time in the early summer.

Right now our penstemons are in full bloom, turning our yard into a wonderful happy flower garden:

The National Cemetery in Santa Fe

The National Cemetery here in Santa Fe is in a beautiful setting in the northwest section of the city, on a hillside full of big shady trees.

We went to the cemetary last week on Memorial Day to pay our respects to our war dead:

Fun in Eldorado

The family was all here over Memorial Day weekend, and we took grand-daughter Victoria to the Eldorado Community Center to play on the playground on Sunday:






She was watching a prairie dog burrow a hole in the dirt:







At the dog park in Eldorado: