Farmington to Santa Fe, New Mexico

American quirkiness:  At Mom and Pop's RV Park, in Farmington, New Mexico, a miniature railway and town built by the 80 something owner.  The trains aren't working now, but the owner says, maybe next year.

We visit the Bolack Museum of Fish and Wildlife.  The owner of our RV park told us this was "the best kept secret in New Mexico, no, in the world!"  A quintessential american story is told in photos and newspaper articles framed on the wall - a self-made man striking oil on his well-considered purchases of land.  He eventually becomes lieutenant governor and governor of New Mexico. The human history is more interesting to me than his collection of animals. An avid hunter, the museum is largely made up of hunting trophies.

A collection of seeds at the Museum.

On the way through central New Mexico, we spot a forest fire.  Planes and helicopters drop water and retardant.  It's an important topic on the local news - it spread to about 50 acres and was contained fairly quickly.  New Mexico continues to suffer from draught.

On to Santa Fe where I go to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.    The kids are with Dad on the central Plaza. Georgia O'Keeffe lived near Santa Fe for many years and the near-by area is the subject of many of her paintings, especially in the latter half of her life.

The Museum is small and has only a tiny portion of her life work.  But it also contains things like these art materials from her studio.  I'm not really touching them or the glass!

A close-up of a painting O'Keeffe made of a door at her home.  I'm seeing her brush strokes for the first time - something not usually captured in art books.  

Her camping implements.  O'Keeffe would go by herself or with others into the dessert to paint.

Santa Fe is a jewelry lover's paradise.  It's filled with beautiful silver and stone jewelry.  Here is one little jewelry store window.

Back to the Plaza. The kids always find friendly people and dogs.  The plaza brings together the many people of the area: among them, tourists, Native Americans, Mexicans, the well healed, and an assortment of pan-handlers. 

Phil considering the possibilities.

On Santa Fe Plaza, Native Americans offer their wares as tourists browse.  I bought a beautiful turquoise pendant set in silver with the artist's name stamped on the back.  It's very pretty.

Public transportation is pretty good in Santa Fe.  We take the bus to and from our RV park.  Gwen and Phil play with their balloons on the way home.

On to Taos, New Mexico tomorrow.