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Salem, Massachussetts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem%2C_Massachusetts
Located in Essex County, this small village in Massachusetts through the ages turned into a small city of 40,407. (2000 census) The name “Salem” comes from the Hebrew word “shalom”, meaning peace. Though in the 1600’s, it did not portray “Peace”. Most famous for the Salem Witch Trials, this town had alot to repair through the ages. Now their history is the focus on their economy - tourism - based on the history of the Trials and Witchcraft. It used to be used as an oft-used port for East Indies Trade as well as the American China trade. Salem is also home to the House of Seven Gables where Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804. The city is also notable for its large collection of federal style mansions. Today, the “witch” is an emblazened icon throughout the city from street signs to logos on police cars. The new Witch movement known as “Wicca” has seeded many magical boutiques, events, and reclamations on the city as a ’sacred place’. Witchcraft Museums sprouted all over the city. In the late 1990’s, Governor Dukakis erected a statue to a local witch. In 2005, TV Land - a sitcom network known for their series “Bewitched” erected a bronze statue there in honor of Elizabeth Montgomery.
 Artistic rendering of Hena in the gallows, Salem, Massachussetts (click image for span view) |
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The Enchanted Circle
Have you ever heard of this mesmerizing location? What exactly is it? It is New Mexico’s alluring 84 mile scenic byway that loops through the Carson National Forest’s astonishing wooded valleys and magnificent mountain passes. Taking this drive you’ll discover the rich history and culture of New Mexico wandering through mountainous heavens and outposts such as Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Taos, and Questa. The road circles around Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest peak. It’s also a great journey for skiiers and snowboarders as it’ll take you through some of the world’s best ski slopes.
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San Francisco De Asis church
Hwy 68 in Rancho de Taos
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/amsw/sw44.htm
Established around 1772, this church is one of the most known and photographed of all missions in the American Southwest. Made by the Spanish colonists, this handcrafted real adobe building houses twin bell towers and an arched portal entrance overlooking a enclosed courtyard. Still an active parish, its a must to see when exploring Taos.
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 San Francisco De Asis Church, Taos, NM
Back of San Francisco De Asis Church, Taos, NM
©2005 technogypsie.com |
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Pilar
Hwy 68 towards Taos from Santa Fe, NM
“In 1795 twenty-five families were granted land along the Rio Grande at Pilar, then known as Ciene’ guilla. The Battle of Cieneguilla was fought at Embudo Mountain near here in March 1854. A large force of Utes and Jicarilla Apaches inflicted heavy losses on sixty dragoons from Cantonment Burg’ win near Taos” - Roadside Marker at Pilar along Hwy 68.
Driving along Hwy 68 you will encounter the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center where there are lots of water rafting sports, hiking, camping, and geological exploring. The Visitor Center was closed when I visited but from the outside looks like a good resource.
SANGRE DE CHRISTO
“BLOOD OF CHRIST”
“From left to right along the eastern horizon, two of New Mexico’s highest mountain ranges are visible, the Truchas Range and the Santa Fe Range. Both are part of the Sangre de Christo Mountains of the Southern Rockies where glacier carved alpine peaks rise to elevations exceeding 13,000 feet.” - highway marker along Hwy 68.
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 erosional hill formed into a shrine along hwy 84/285/68
Mural along highway 84/285 in NM
©2005 technogypsie.com |
Wednesday, 9 November 2005
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Curving down the roads through the adobe bricked neighbourhoods of Santa Fe, I made my way up to the top of what is called “Museum Hill”. It’s where most of Santa Fe’s museums reside. Unfortunately, I have limited time and budget, so I only paid to go into the Museum of Indian Art and History. I do plan on returning to see “all 5″ of the museums which you can get a pass for that is good for most of the week. Adobe structured like all the rest of the building structures in this area of New Mexico, I climbed the stairs to a plaza (Milner Plaza) which had a beautiful labyrinth, desert garden, sculpture garden, and some free art to view outside of the various museums. A cafe is set across from the Anthropologie laboratory. A large kachina statue overlooks the museum.
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The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
On Museum Hill in Santa Fe.
The Museum of the American Indian Arts and Culture is a beautiful 3-4 exhibit hall museum with lecture hall, theater, classrooms, and an enormous gift shop. The museum changes exhibits frequently with an array of contemporary and historic Native American art emphasizing the Southwest. For a $7 entrance fee, you do get a good array of history, arts, and artifacts. I wish I had more time to spend there when I did. There were three main features: “Beauty Within” which took you through a history of Native Peoples and where they are today showing various aspects of their life. “Iconoclash” which is a modern art outlook from a Native Indian’s perspective on how their people was used to brand products. “The Pottery of Santa Ana Peublo” featuring some of the most exquisite pieces of Pottery from the Santa Ana Pueblo peoples. Rated: 4 1/2 stars out of 5.
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 Museum Hill, Santa Fe, NM
(sculpture/statue from Milner Plaza @ Museum Hill, Santa Fe, NM)
©2005 technogypsie.com |
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The Santa Fe Trail - The Road to Opportunity
“For almost 60 years, from 1821 to 1880, the Santa Fe Trail was part of a complex web of international trade and business. The trail began as a connection from the Missouri frontier in the United States to Santa Fe in New Mexico. Spanning 900 miles the trail also linked to cities in Mexico via El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. In its earlier years, trade stabilized and supported the economies of Missouri and the Mexican province of New Mexico in an era of monetary upheaval in both the U.S. and Mexico.” “Prior to 1821, Spain’s colonial policy restricted the kinds and numbers of trade goods in New Mexico. Trade barriers were lifted after Mexico achieved independence in 1821. American and Mexican merchants as well as Cherokee Indians prospered from the trade. “
“A cheer went up from the drivers. I think both Will and I regretted that we had come to the end of the trail. We had loved the feel of the grass under our feet and the sound of the wind and the waters. The trail has been our point of outlook upon the universe. The blue sky above us had been bread and meat for our soul. If you have ever followed the old trail over mountains, through forests, felt the sting of cold, the oppression of the heat, the drench of rains, and the flurry of winds in an old covered wagon you will know what I mean.” - M.S.R.
(Road marker/diorama @ Museum Hill, Santa Fe, NM)
 (mural from Road marker/diorama @ Museum Hill, Santa Fe, NM)
©2005 technogypsie.com |
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 (sculpture/statue from Road marker/diorama @ Museum Hill, Santa Fe, NM)
(sculpture/statue from Road marker/diorama @ Museum Hill, Santa Fe, NM)
©2005 technogypsie.com |
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Tortilla Flats
3139 Cerillos Road
Santa Fe, NM
505-471-8685
A homestyle New Mexican Cuisine restaurant featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a cantina. A taste of New Mexico. I encountered great service and hospitality, a very nice tasty and strong margarita, good salsa (though the chips weren’t the greatest), and an excellent stuffed Sopapilla meal. I ordered the Chicken and Potato stuffed sopapilla, and 2 sopapilla sides. Heaven. Rated 4 stars out of 5. Visited 11/8/05.
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