Tuesday, May 3, 2011

HOME FROM THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT

I'm home from a wonderful five-day trip to New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. Eight of us from all over the U.S. met up in Santa Fe for our 55th (yes, that is right - 55 years) high school class reunion. As high schoolers we attended a girl's boarding school together here in Colorado. The Senior Trip back in 1956 was to Santa Fe, so we returned to celebrate!
We stayed at the LaFonda Hotel, which is right on the plaza at the end of the Santa Fe trail. The hotel was built in the 1920s, as shown in the first picture of the below mosaic. The second picture shows the hotel as it is today. We had wonderful accommodations with great atmosphere and service.


One of our day trips was to the Georgia O'Keeffe Ghost Ranch, where she spent her summers painting. After seeing the landscape, it was easy to recognize her inspiration for some of her paintings.


We spent time touring small churches, the cathedral, the museums including the Georgia O'Keeffe and the Folk Art museums plus a trolley tour with lots of history all around Santa Fe. Oh yes, there was a fair amount of shopping going on, also!

There were many meals of great New Mexican food in several different restaurants. We laughed constantly, shared memories, and passed around pictures of our grandchildren. We were the talk of the hotel for five days - the young people couldn't believe that old lady classmates could be having that much fun!




I'm linking up with the following parties. Be sure to check them out!

Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

Sally at Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday

16 comments:

Marilyn said...

I have fond memories of the trip Sarah and I took last June when we went south to Taos and Santa Fe. I'd go back to either one tomorrow, if someone would finish out the school year for me! ♥♫

PS- I am counting the days now!

Anonymous said...

Sally it looks like you had such a great time!! Those pictures of my New Mexico mountains made me homesick!!

I guess I will have to forgive you for not stopping! The retreat is fastly approaching and I sure hope I am ready for it. After that maybe we can set a date!


Have the room painted. Need to paint the radiator tomorrow and get things back in the room- then start on cleaning this place up!

bee blessed
mary

Deborah Kay at The Paint Splash said...

How wonderful to be able to attend your reunion and return to Santa Fe! Blessings, Debbie

Light and Voices said...

I used to live in Albuquerque, NM as a child. I loved all the elbow room, the flowering mesa in the morning and at night, but most of all the sunset and sunrises were fantastic.

I have been to Santa Fe; but I have put on my "bucket list" to see Georgia Okeeffe's door that inspired her to purchase a place in NM and to rethink the art work she had already done.

Looks like you all had a nice reunion. What a fun time you must have had; and the memories you have made.

Joyce M

Tina´s PicStory said...

Very nice photos. Thanks for sharing them with the world. Lg Tina

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fun Sally.I loved seeing the photos. My friend JoAnn just returned from a trip to New Mexico with her daughter. They've spent lots of time out there.

JoAnn and I were in the same class in school. Our 50th is this year.

lvroftiques said...

55 year reunion? Y'all look too young to have a 55 year reunion! And what a beautiful place! I've never been to Santa Fe, but I certainly want to go now....Actually right NOW this minute! *winks* Glad you all had a wonderful time...but I think that would've been the case regardless of where you were. *winks* Vanna

Sue said...

I remember a set of twins from my hometown that went to a Catholic girls boarding school in southern CO. I don't remember the name, maybe Canyon? How fun to be in NM. Did you know that is where I grew up? Haven't been back for a visit for some time now. Miss the weather and the scenery. :-) Lucky you! ~ Sue

SmilingSally said...

Long-time friends are the best kind; there's always so very many happy memories.

I love those blue skies!

Happy Blue Monday, Sally

Barbara Rosenzweig said...

I loved traveling to that area and seeing Georgia O'Keefe's inspiration. She inspires my floral paintings.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos.
I'm your new follower,
Barb

LV said...

I envy you getting to go to Santa Fe. I love it down there. Thanks for letting me enjoy seeing some of it through your lens.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Great pictures! They look strangely familiar! Ha! What a fun time you must have had! It's wonderful that you all could do a trip like that together.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful blues!

Please drop by at my BLUE, when you have time. Thanks!

Elaine said...

Wow, it looks so beautiful and so nice to spend your days with old friends.

I have never been to New Mexico but it has always intrigued me.
Thanks for sharing your photos!

xinex said...

What a wonderful time you must have had. I love Sta. Fe! It is so beautiful with all the adobe buildings and the mountains. I have a giveaway going on, I hope you will come and sign up for it, Sally...Christine

Picket said...

That looks like a fantastic place girl....I bet y'all were like giggley school girls! What a blessing to meet together again...Hope you had a beautiful Mother's Day sweetie...thanks so much for coming by...Picket