Scenes around Los Alamos

We were in Los Alamos, New Mexico two weeks ago during Susie's visit. The setting high in the Jemez Mountains is scenic. We got some pictures:

Fuller Lodge:




Rose Garden:




Scene of old forest fire from several years ago:



The view from the Jemez Mountains looking east towards Santa Fe and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range:





Storm clouds gathering over Los Alamos:

On the way up the Hill to Los Alamos

On the way to Los Alamos, part way up "the Hill" there is this descanso at the side of the road overlooking the great view to the east. The marking on the descanso says "McCown":

The area around Abiquiu

Some of my favorite scenic land in all of New Mexico is up in the area around Abiquiu. We were up there recently when my friend Susie was visiting and got these pictures:

The Rio Chama:











Stopping for ice cream in Abiquiu:

A trip to Abiquiu Dam

We love to go up to Abiquiu Dam. The scenery there is so magnificent, we wanted to show it to our friend Susie. It was a lovely day when we went there, and here are some pictures we got:

The crosses at Chimayó

There is a place along a chain link fence at the Santuario de Chimayó where pilgrims leave crosses they have fashioned from twigs and other simple materials.

The first time we went to Chimayó years ago and I saw the fence full of handmade crosses -- and realized the simple faith expressed in them, I was overwhelmed and I stood there for the longest time, in awe.

Since that time years ago, the fence has been moved to another location, along the paved walkway from the parking lot up to the church. I still take time to stop and look at the crosses ... but I am amazed at the numbers of people who walk right past them without looking. Seems like we do that a lot in our lives.

I took these pictures when we were in Chimayó a week ago:

A visit to Santuario de Chimayó

We did a lot of traveling around the area while my friend Susie was here. There were so many possibilities, so it was hard to decide what to include and what to leave for another visit.

Last Sunday we went up to Chimayó to see the Santuario. It was another beautiful New Mexico day. Here are some pictures we took:

On the road to Chimayó:



The Santuario:









Susie and I:

Santa Fe Plaza in September

Things in the heart of town start to slow down a little after tourist season ends following the Santa Fe Fiesta in early September.

We were down on the Plaza a week ago, and there was still a festive, party atmosphere and lots of people, but fall is in the air, and it seemed like there were fewer tourists in the stores and restaurants.

Got a few more pictures:







Me:


Friend Susie: