Santa Fe  (KSAF)

Santa Fe is also one of our favorite places.  And, it's pretty easy to fly there.  Basically you fly to Taos and then continue south for another 15 - 20 minutes and you're there.   Don't have a moving map GPS?  No problem,  just follow the Rio Grande.   The gorge will lead you right to Santa Fe.  (If for some reason LaVeta Pass is obscured, just keep flying south over Raton Pass, past Las Vegas, NM and come into Santa Fe from the SE.)  Since Santa Fe is a towered airport,  don't forget to notify the tower as you get close.  It's also a good idea to have listened in on the ATIS and acknowledge that with your first call.  If you're flying during the summer it's REALLY a good idea to try and arrive in the morning because the wind can pick up fiercely as the day progresses and you'll also run into the typical desert turbulence due to thermal activity.

The airport is on the SW corner of the city and we usually park at the Santa Fe Jet Center.  Yes, I know the Skylane is not a jet, but they don't discriminate.  They are friendly, have beautiful facilities and offer the usual amenities.   Several rental car agencies are in the terminal and if you let Jet Center know that you have a car reserved they'll arrange for someone to bring it out on the ramp for you.  At least Avis does that. 

Santa Fe does have it's very hoity-toity element and there tend to be a lot of jets parked on the ramp. (Hey, they don't it the Jet Center for nothing.)  We early-on discovered another good reason to keep our dogs on leashes when at the airport.  One time we landed and Simon & Idgie decided that rather than go into the FBO, they preferred to head up the stairs and into a parked Cessna Citation.  The FBO personnel thought this was pretty entertaining.  The people in the jet were a bit surprised but handled it well.  After all, this IS Santa Fe!

We actually flew first to Taos on this trip for two nights and stayed at Taos Lodging where Simon and Idgie were able to relax (well mostly) on the porch.   We then flew to Santa Fe in the morning.

We also departed early in the morning to avoid the bumps going back.   Sunrise is Santa Fe is beautiful and that was one of the arguments I tried on Sue to get her up at the crack of dawn.  It worked!  The photo to the left is actually looking to the west from the airport ramp. Speaking of ramps, Simon can longer jump in the plane and he absolutely, positively refuses to be picked up.  So, naturally, I got a dog ramp.  This unit will fold in half and fit perfectly between the front and back seats.  After some practice, training and many, many, dog treats, he now goes up and down the ramp with no problem.

Places to Stay

There are many dog friendly properties in Santa Fe.  We prefer being within easy walking distance of the plaza and the Eldorado Hotel is a great choice.  Rates can vary widely depending upon the time of year.  This is usually our choice for New Year's Eve.  They also have another property that is more like a B&B - the Casa Pueblo Inn.   If you're looking for a smaller, quieter venue,  this is a great place, too. 

Las Palomas is our current favorite,  as of August, 2004.  There are beautiful, large rooms both Territorial and Pueblo style, on several levels. 

El Paradero is a slightly longer walk but also a wonderful place.  The two dog rooms are actually in separate small, residences that used to be railroad worker houses.  Breakfasts here are outstanding!
Activities

Santa Fe is either art paradise or art hell depending upon your perspective and how many galleries you have visited in any given day.  It is possible to fatally OD on paintings/drawings/sculptures of Indians, buffalo, cowboys and desert sunsets.  And, you'll probably wonder how there could be one more ounce of silver left in the ground after you see the incredible quantities of silver necklaces, bracelets, rings, pins, ear rings, etc.

We always try to go hiking and there are many opportunities around Santa Fe.  Tent Rocks will give you a taste of a slot canyon.  There are also several trails emanating off the road heading up the ski area. 

The Santa Fe Opera is an architectural jewel with great acousticsand we try to get to one opera every year. 

Eating

This is one of our favorite activities because there are so many good restaurants in Santa Fe.  A few of our favorites are:

The Plaza Restaurant.   Yes, it's on the plaza!  New Mexican.  Fantastic breakfasts but also lunch and dinner, too. 

The Compound.  Very upscale with an award winning chef.  It's expensive but worth it.  Lunch is always a good option, too.

Horseman's Haven.  Tucked away behind a gas station on Cerrillos Road we love the breakfasts here.  For a religious experience get a side order of their Level 2 chilie.

Maria's.  This Santa Fe icon has terrific New Mexican dishes and an extensive, I mean really large, collection of tequilas.  We like to do a mid afternoon tequila tasting with a couple of their fabulous tamales.

Il Piatto.  Need a break for Southwestern cooking?  Try this wonderful Italian on Marcy Street just off the plaza.  If you don't have a reservation you can eat dinner at the bar, which is actually our preference.

Paul's.  Another non-Southwestern choice.

Coyote Cafe.  Seems almost like a cliche but the food is still remarkable.  We've never been disappointed in the 17 years or so that we've been visiting Santa Fe.   The cookbook, however, is terrible - nothing works!