We stayed a second night in Santa Fe and had a late lunch at Tomasita’s which is where all the locals eat and was recommended by Noah at our hotel. The food and margaritas were really good and reasonably priced. After a second hearty breakfast as Las Palomas, we were off. Our first stop was the National Petroglyph Monument right outside of Albuquerque. It is a a very dog friendly place and Kismet was given a Bark Ranger scarf. We watched a movie about the history and preservation of the petroglyphs but didn’t have the time for hiking to see them all. Next time!!
From the movie, we learned that the efforts to preserve the petroglyphs began in the 1970s. To Native Americans, the entire monument is a sacred landscape, a landscape alive with the sights and sounds of the high desert as well as the spirits of those who created these narratives. There are over 24,000 images in stone, some recognizable as animals and people. Some are more mysterious.
Then we realized that on the way to Winslow, we would pass right by a National Park, the Petrified Forest. We couldn’t pass it by, especially after finding the drive through the park would end at a point that would be a short drive to rejoin I-40 on the way west. So we spent a lovely, warm day working our way through the Park.
It was just getting dark as we arrived at what would be the most special hotel of our trip, La Posada. It was recommended by our friend Carolyn or I would never have thought to look for something in Winslow. According to their brochure, the hotel was built in 1930 and was the last and most elegant of the Great Fred Harvey Hotels built by the Santa Fe Railroad. The Fred Harvey Company was the original owner of the Harvey House chain of restaurants and hotel built alongside railroads to cater to the growing number of train passengers. r
The grounds were still decorated for Christmas and were quire the welcoming site to two weary travelers. The only gotcha was that steps to the second floor (no elevator) but they offered to help us with our luggage. We were both tired and hungry but in retrospect, perhaps more tired than we should have been.
The hotel was designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter who is described as an American genius, influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement. There is beautiful art throughout the hotel. The photo of the painting below is a bit dark, titled as a “New Years Party in Purgatory for Suicides in Which Liberace Makes a Guest Appearance Down From Heaven Just for the Hell of It.” The restaurant on-site is called the Turquoise Room. We had an amazing dinner of elk and quail called the wild platter. after dinner, we enjoyed some live music in the lobby with a solo guitar player.
I thought of the Eagles song "Take It Easy." I went so far as to look up the lyrics and there was a link to the exact same place as where you are standing! Thanks for sharing. https://www.standinonthecorner.org/