It's Hard to Breathe Up Here

First, a note: Some of you might be wondering why a blog about life in Languedoc seems to be about a trip across the United States. That's because we are taking the time to see some of the US before we settle permanently in Languedoc. So, for the next few weeks, we will be writing about our cross-country trip.

We drove out of San Diego along the route outlined in Google maps. It might have been the most direct, but it certainly wasn't the most scenic. There was one rather dramatic stretch through the mountains, but the next several hours were through rather boring and hot desert, until we headed north from Phoenix, where the elevation rose and the landscape was more alpine.

Arrived in Flagstaff (actually, the outskirts of Flagstaff) tired after an 8-hour drive. Picked the closest restaurant to get some food to take back to the room. We'll spare you the details, but it wasn't gourmet food. We started feeling some of the effects of being at 7,000 ft. elevation.

Drove out the next morning & headed to the Petrified Forest & Painted Desert, which are both pretty amazing. It's hard to believe that what is now desert was once a swamp, but the change left some incredible remains. The petrified wood is so beautiful -- there is no wood left, & it's been replaced by agates, amethysts & other types of quartz, still in the shape & design of wood, bark & all. The colors & shapes in the Painted Desert are beautiful, & the altitude made the air crystal clear & the cloud shapes are different at that altitude.

From there we drove to Albuquerque & stayed at an old-fashioned, kind of funky motel a few blocks from Old Town. Loved the neon signs for our motel & the one on the same street, so had to take pix.

Had New Mexican food for dinner, which was so-so, but came in enormous portions. There is no reason to serve so much food. We were still trying to adjust to the altitude, which gave us headaches.

Walked around Old Town the next morning & although the shops are cute, there was not really anything we wanted to buy. 
Next stop is Santa Fe, & we're glad to be in one place for 3 days. Santa Fe is a beautiful city with a lot of history. It's the 2nd oldest city in the US (after St. Augustine, FL) & recently celebrated its 400th anniversary. The downtown area is well preserved & maintains the feeling of the old city. Nearly every building in downtown is built in the adobe style, which really maintains the continuity & feeling of Old Santa Fe. There are no chain stores allowed along the plaza, & even those a few blocks away maintain the architectural style. There are many upscale shops & galleries, but we didn't see many people buying things.

One reason so many artists are drawn to Santa Fe is the light. It IS different in Santa Fe, much the same way the light in Paris is different from the light in other places.

Took a walking tour that focused on the history of Santa Fe, & it was a good way to put things in perspective. We're starting to adjust to the altitude, but it isn't as easy as we'd hoped it would be.