New Mexico Day 3 - Santa Fe to Albuquerque

After spending two nights in Santa Fe, we will be heading back to Albuquerque today. Our day started quietly at the hotel with getting some free coffee at the lobby and we headed to Clafoutis for a taste of France in Santa Fe.  

6:15 am by the hotel lobby

Colorful yarn adorned the hotel lobby

Made it to Clafoutis, a French Bakery

Which one to choose?

Seated next to an old industrial mixer

Cream served in a mini milk jar

GG got the crepe

French toast

After a pretty substantial breakfast, we decided to walk off the calories by visiting the Cross of Martyrs, the Loretto Chapel, The St. Francis's Basilica, Open Market at the Palace of Governors, and taking a cruise around town in the "lowrider", the '64 Chevy Impala offered by our hotel. 

Cross of Martyrs, commemorating the Spanish lives lost in the 1680 Pueblo Revolt 

Name of the martyrs - martyrs or conquerors? depends on which side of history you are on

One of many plaques along the short walk up to the cross, each plaque tells a piece of history of New Mexico

The Loretto Chapel, originally opened as a girl's school for the local Spanish speaking residents in 1853, now a major tourist attraction and wedding venue

The main altar of the Chapel

The famed "Miraculous Staircase" of the Chapel, a self-supporting staircase built by a mysterious carpenter

Statue of Kateri Tekakwitha in front of the Basilica of St. Francis. Kateri is the first Native American to be proclaimed a saint

One of the many pieces of artwork in Santa Fe

The Open Market by the Palace of Governors

Taking a joyride in the '64 Chevy

GG by the lowrider

Before heading out of town, we had one more stop to make - Meow Wolf Santa Fe. 

MM outside Meow Wolf

MM coming out of an ice chest

MM coming out of a frig

MM feeling the crowded and weird vibe at Meow Wolf

Back in first grade

After the weird, somewhat expensive and very crowded experience at Meow Wolf, we were finally on our way to Albuquerque under the mid-day sun.  

We made it to our hotel - Hotel Chaco shortly after 1:00 pm. Hotel Chaco, another Heritage hotel property, is inspired by the Pueblo ruins of the Chaco Canyon. Opened in 2017, this hotel is very new and has great amenities such as roof top bar, swimming pool and a large gym. 

Since we arrived early our room was not quite ready. So we walked across the street to MM's favorite spot on this trip - The Sawmill Market for late lunch.

Sawmill Market, located just across the street from Hotel Chaco

It's past 1:30 pm and I am really hungry

No shortage of colorful decors inside the food hall

Checking things out

Ok the food is finally here

and ice cream bar after

Hotel Chaco under the mid afternoon sun

Checking out the roof top bar "Level 5"

Sawmill Market viewed from the roof top bar

Finally checked into our room at 3:45 pm

After freshening up and taking a much needed rest, we headed to our dinner spot tonight - The Sandia Peak via the Aerial Tramway. 

Our plan was to have dinner at the casual dining lounge area of the restaurant Ten3 and catch the sunset at the peak. 

We stayed until the city lights came on and rode the Aerial Tramway backdown through the darkness of the mountain pass. 

Passing one of the towers on the way up

Approaching the 10'300 feet observation deck

On top of the Sandia Peak

MM on top of the Observation Deck

Ten3, a restaurant at 10,300 feet

It's a ski destination in winter

Chip Trio to start

The food is actually surprisingly good

Ready to dig in

This is huge!

Sun is beginning to set shortly before 8:00 pm

8:06 pm

Sunset on Sandia Peak

Albuquerque City Lights, 9:02 pm

Back down shortly before 10:00 pm

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