One thing we have learned from our rides in Colorado is in the summer we need to get an early start on our rides to beat the heat and, in some cases, the traffic. So, we hit the trail in Santa Fe at 7:18a local time. We started from a parking lot that was recommended by a local bike shop. We began riding on the Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail and after a few miles we merged onto the Santa Fe Rail Trail. We actually rode alongside the railroad tracks. We rode to the local arts and crafts and farmers’ market area of town. As we walked our bikes through the arts and crafts market we stopped and had a very interesting conversation with a man displaying his wares. Actually, he was spinning greasy (unwashed) wool from his angora goats into skins of yarn.
We continued into the farmers’ market and saw a man fire roasting chilies. We were on our bikes and without an empty carrying bag so we were not able to bring any of those chilies back home with us.
We headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up and get some lunch. We were hungry after riding 21 miles and shopping in the market!
After lunch we headed down to Historic Santa Fe.
Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, is renowned for its Pueblo style architecture and as a creative arts center. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1610, it has at its heart — the traditional “plaza.” Turns out, this weekend is the weekend of the Annual Santa Fe Indian Market in the Historic Santa Fe Plaza. It was very crowded!! As we explored other areas of Historic Santa Fe, we came across the San Miguel Church, regarded as the oldest Christian church in the nation. Although it first appears in historical records in 1628, it is believed it was actually founded in 1610. The church was built for – and likely by – Indian groups from central New Spain (Mexico).
From San Miguel Church we went to the DeVargas Street House, which rests on part of the foundation of an ancient Indian pueblo dating from about 1200 CE.
In Loretto Chapel, built between 1873 – 1878, we marveled at the Miraculous spiral stairway to the choir loft. The stairway is comprised of two complete spirals without center or side supports. How did they do that???
Finally, we visited The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Construction of the cathedral began in 1869 and continued until 1887.
It’s time to get some dinner and go back to the hotel to get some rest. Tomorrow we travel from Santa Fe to Albuquerque.
50-in-50 Challenge 
Fabulous pictures and videos! I felt like I was there with you! One of my favorite days of pictures so far! Such a fantastic trip!
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