Day 10: Santa Fe, New Mexico ... ahhhhh

First off, apologies for yesterdays post, it had been a long day and I was very tired but didn't want to let another day pass without posting. That said, the images weren't posting right and I didn't have the patience to fix so they aren't in order but close enough.  Maybe I'll go back and adjust.  But for now, onward.

From Fruita, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico, we managed to cross the 4,000 miles driven meter as we were pulling into the town this afternoon.  It has been an adventure filled with amazing sights and a few hairy moments (we have had more than a few deer cued up to cross the road as we were driving by) and we have made it to our turn to head back east to Nashville.

We started the day, as you do in Fruita, at the Dinosaur Museum.  Mind you, we didn't go in, but it was across the street from our hotel so we HAD to get our pictures there.  (And then got Starbucks.)

After packing up and loading the car, we went about a mile across the highway to pay tribute to Mike the Miracle Chicken that managed to live 18 months after being beheaded.  This artistic tribute was perched outside a local coffee establishment that somehow I imagine Mike would have appreciated.

A short walk (1/2 a block) from Miracle Mike we found Grrrreta hanging out in the local park.  Recently updated by the local elementary school, it was the magic that set us on our way.  

 Many miles were passed in beautiful open territory.  This shows just how open some of the landscape was, but we also went through gorges where it was a stream with trees and high hills on either side.  Beautiful.  Not what you think when you think New Mexico.

We arrived in Santa Fe about 5p with a few minutes to walk around before stores closed.  So, we fit in some sight seeing. 

 After a long day, and days, we decided to take a break and have a beer/cider at Desert Dogs Brewery & Cider and consider our options. (And enjoy a good view.)

Then a nice dinner overlooking the central square and back to our La Fonda hotel for a nice night of rest. 

We've decided to take a day off tomorrow and sleep in, take a walking tour of Santa Fe, and then do only about a 4-hour drive to Amarillo Texas and give ourselves a break.  

The beauty of this expansive country has been a revelation.  I knew from previous experiences that there are large open miles, but from Omaha to Rapid City; Cedar City to Fruita and now to Santa Fe, the amount of open and beautiful land has been amazing. For as crowded as we are in Los Angeles and New York, these vast open spaces are incredible.

Okay, time for a good nights sleep.