Day 8 – Happy Birthday to me, in Santa Fe

Well, I did it, I made it to fifty! What can I say, it feels the same as 49, as you probably guessed 🙂

Anyway, after leaving Albuquerque, and a frankly quite terrible hotel, we scampered up the I25 to hwy 550 to take the long way to Santa Fe, on the advice of my good friend Rene. Well, what a side-trip! We ended up stopping in Jemez Pueblo and had some ‘fry bread’ at one of the little roadside stands. The woman there was so friendly, she told us all about the bread, and the area around Jemez, and where to go to see some extra sights. Well, the fry bread was awesome…it was something like an elephant ear, but lighter and fluffier. It was really great.

Anyway, the drive went through the Valles Caldera, which is a 13 mile radius caldera, left over from a volcano some 13 million years ago. It was very picturesque and quite remarkable. It is also at ~11 thousand feet, so the coolness at that high elevation was quite nice for a change.

After leaving the caldera, we started descending the mountain and the lo and behold, we found ourselves in Los Alamos. It was a small place, though larger than I would have though (around 1ok population). After going through the security check at the town entrance (I guess the DOE is still operating there, who knew?), we parked and walked over to the Bradbury Science Museum and watched a short movie about the place, which was interesting. Other than that the place was a bit dated for a science centre, but we enjoyed it all the same.

Then it was on to Santa Fe, where we found ourselves at a really nice little “Lodge at Santa Fe”. We got settled in and then went to the Ten Thousand Waves spa resort.  After a deliscious japanese meal, highlighted with Wagyu beef, and some great Cucumber Wakame salad, we were treated to an hour-and-a-half therapeutic massage and then a 50 minute private hot tub. Pure bliss, and a great way to end a hectic day, thanks to the love of my life, Sandra. She is very good to, and for, me!

Anyway, we were completely bushed after that and made our way in complete darkness down the mountain  and back to the lodge. That was pretty much the best 50th birthday anyone could ask for! Thanks Honey!
Peace and love,

Byron