Santa Fe NM

 

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After Albuquerque we drove to Santa Fe. We did not take Route 66 though. We were pleasantly surprised by how pretty Santa Fe was. The leaves were in color and the sky was dramatic. While in Santa Fe we ate at a couple of the places featured on the Food Networks show Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. The Zia Diner was lunch and the food was spectacular.

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There were a lot of tourists in the area and a large number of bus tours. We arrived there on a Monday morning so I am not sure why there were so many tourists unless they were  like us and had just left the Balloon Fiesta.

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While Santa Fe may be the state capital the downtown area is small enough you park your car and walk. Most of the streets are one way and it can be hard to maneuver around so walking is just easier. Since we were there on a Monday all of the state run tourist places and museums were closed. Since they are open over the weekend they all close on Monday. The building in the lower left is La Fonda, an old Harvey House hotel.

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  click photo to enlarge