"Possibilities. Give people what they want."

Joe Boyden

If you did not know that the drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe was through the high New Mexican desert punctuated with sagebrush, golden chamisa, copper earth, and candy cotton clouds, you would swear your trek was north from Cape Town, South Africa, winding through the ancient and spectacular land formations and kaleidoscope hued wildflowers of the Little Karoo.

The one difference is that when breathlessly observing the land and sky on the drive to Santa Fe, there is an absence of zebra, giraffe, gazelle, and ostrich that pepper the southern continent. It is as if a slice of southern Africa was transported to glorious northern New Mexico.

Homes by Joe Boyden

Enter Joe Boyden.

Your first impression of Joe Boyden might be his easy gait, relaxed demeanor, and calm approach to life. Those characteristics are all right on the money. But what lies beneath the surface may surprise you.

This custom homebuilder has been at his game for three decades. Like a finely trained athlete, he has built his home building enterprise from the foundation up, as they say. He started working in the field and running 100 man crews as a teenager, earning $500 a week as a 16 year old in 1976.

He was younger than most of his employees, cranking out town home developments, private greenhouses, and framing homes against well known and well funded competitors. At the age of 21, he was the "go to" contractor. Want a spiral staircase? Call Joe. No one else could finesse the difficult details of those fantasy staircases that reach to the stars.

Flash forward 30 years. Homes by Joe Boyden is one of New Mexico's premier homebuilders with designs to match.

The Tijeras, New Mexico contractor is based in the Sandia Mountains, 20 miles east of Albuquerque. Joe is the designer on all of his homes, and he oversees construction of about 85 homes from start to finish per year. As Joe says, "A lot of builders forget to finish. We are finishers!"

Santa Fe Bella Donna Condominiums:

An American Treasure Chest of Creativity

When you crest the hill overlooking the nestled village of Santa Fe, the early morning purple and silver light hits you like the golden glow of the red tiled roofs of Italy. The Golden Age has returned to New Mexico.

Live in a mosaic of sterling art, eclectic opportunities to explore a landscape that glitters and glows, where the shadows come to the light, and you are infused with tranquil peace and purpose.

Our Bella Donna Condominiums reflect the 1912 Pueblo Deco style of the Don Gaspar Historic District. Blocks from the Santa Fe Plaza, Bella Donna offers you a tantalizing haven for the mind, body, and spirit.

Live the legend and luxury of Santa Fe, the profusion of the golden chamisa, the crisp and apple-sweet fall air, and the cathedral-like reverence of the first dusting of November snows.

Our renovated historical properties enable you to live the legend and luxury of Old and New Santa Fe. The imprint of Old World grace and style, coupled with contemporary beauty, creates these livable works of art.

Where high desert and adobe dwellings unite, our signature premier homes offer you a seamless tapestry of bronze sky, porcelain clouds, and hand woven landscapes.

Downshift your life. Embrace the virtual painting of architecture and landscape in Bella Donna Condominiums.

Special Features:

·         Careful attention to original features, including restored original hardware and refinished original trim. Where restoration wasn't an option, the team at Joe Boyden Construction, Inc. searched the country, literally, to match the original hardware. The work force replaced by hand those sections of trim that could not be restored.

·         Beautiful granite countertops paired with fine quality wooden cabinets throughout each unit.

·         Wolf Sub-Zero appliances for every kitchen pleases the most discerning chef.

·         Lovely warm hardwood floors that deliver radiant heat for cool New Mexico nights, paired in some units with original mason-laid brick fireplaces, and in others with charming pot-bellied cast iron gas stoves.

·         Easy walking access to the heart of Santa Fe.

History of Santa Fe

With 65,000 residents, Santa Fe is New Mexico's third largest city. It was originally settled by Spaniards before 1607, and is now the oldest state capital city in the United States. Its original name "La Villa Real de Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis", is Spanish for "the Royal City of the Holy Faith of St. Francis of Assisi".

At 7,000 feet above sea level, the city spans nearly 35 square miles in a valley near the Rio Grande at the southern base of the Rocky Mountains. It is nestled between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the Jemez Mountains to the west.

Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in North America and the oldest European city west of the Mississippi, is the site of both the oldest public building in America, the Palace of the Governors, and the nation's oldest community celebration, the Santa Fe Fiesta, established in 1712 to remember the Spanish reconquest of New Mexico in the summer of 1692.

The city has been the capital for the Spanish "Kingdom of New Mexico," the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, the American territory of New Mexico (which contained what is today Arizona and New Mexico) and since 1912, the state of New Mexico.

Santa Fe was originally occupied by a number of Pueblo Indian villages – mostly the Tewa people from 1050 to 1607. The "Kingdom of New Mexico"was first claimed for Spain by the conquistador Don Francisco Vasques de Coronado in 1540, 67 years before the founding of Santa Fe. Don Juan de Onate became the first Governor-General of New Mexico and established the capital in 1598 at San Juan Pueblo, 25 miles north of Santa Fe. After Onate retired, Don Pedro de Peralta was appointed Governor-General in 1609. One year later, he had moved the capital to present day Santa Fe.

Spanish soldiers and officials, as well as Franciscan missionaries, tried to conquer and convert the Pueblo Indians of the region from the period of 1607 through 1692. Pueblo Indians revolted against the estimated 2,500 Spanish colonists in New Mexico, killing 400 of them and driving the rest back into Mexico. The conquering Pueblos attacked Santa Fe and burned most of the buildings, except the Palace of the Governors. Pueblo Indians occupied Santa Fe until 1692, when Don Diego de Vargas reconquered the region.

Santa Fe grew and prospered as a city from 1692 to 1821. Spanish authorities and missionaries were under pressure from constant raids by nomadic Indians and often bloody wars with the Comanche. The Apache and Navajo people (who had formed an alliance with Pueblo Indians) had maintained a successful religious and civil policy of peaceful coexistence.

From 1821 to 1846 Mexico gained its independence from Spain, and Santa Fe became the capital of the province of New Mexico. American trappers and traders moved into the region. William Becknell opened the 1,000-mile-long Santa Fe Trail, from Arrow Rock, Missouri, with 21 men and a pack train of goods. Americans found Santa Fe and New Mexico not as uncivilized as they'd thought. One traveler called the region the "Siberia of the Mexican Republic."

For a brief period in 1837, northern New Mexico farmers rebelled against Mexican rule, killed the provincial governor in what has been called the Chimayó Rebellion, and occupied the capital. The revelers were soon defeated, however, and three years later, Santa Fe was peaceful again.

In the early years of the Mexican American War, an American army general, Stephen Watts Kearny, took Santa Fe and raised the American flag over the Plaza. Kearny easily took control of the area and was named its military governor on August 18, 1846. He ensured that a civilian government was in place within just one month. Two years later, Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, giving New Mexico (including what we now call Arizona) and California to the United States.

In 1851, Jean B. Lamy, arrived in Santa Fe when he began construction of the Saint Francis Cathedral. For a few days in March 1863, the Confederate flag of General Henry Sibley flew over Santa Fe, until he was defeated by Union troops. With the coming of the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe Railroad and the invention of the telegraph in 1880, Santa Fe and New Mexico underwent an economic revolution. Corruption in government, however, accompanied the growth, and President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed Lew Wallace as a territorial governor to "clean up New Mexico."Wallace did such a good job that Billy the Kid threatened to come up to Santa Fe and kill him.

The Museum of New Mexico had opened in 1909, and by 1917, its Museum of Fine Arts was built. The state museum's emphasis on local history and native culture did much to reinforce Santa Fe's image as an "exotic"city.

Today, Santa Fe is recognized as one of the most intriguing cities in the nation, due largely to the city's preservation of historic buildings and a modern zoning code, passed in 1958, that mandates the city's distinctive Spanish-Pueblo style of architecture This architecture is based on the adobe (mud and straw) and wood construction of the past. Also preserved are the traditions of the city's rich cultural heritage which helps make Santa Fe one of the country's most diverse and interesting places to visit.

Although Santa Fe has had history of conquest and frontier violence, the town has also been the region's seat of culture and civilization. Inhabitants have left a legacy of architecture.

Local Color, Characters, and Culture

Santa Fe is consistently rated one of the world's top travel destinations for its confluence of scenic beauty, long history (at least by American standards), cultural diversity, and an extraordinary concentration of arts, music and fine dining.

In the early 20th century, the area attracted a number of artists, including painter Georgia O'Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz. The region remains important in America's art scene. The arrival of Igor Stravinsky, the Russian composer considered by many to be the most influential composer of 20th century music, and the founding of the Santa Fe Opera, one of the world's leading opera companies, had a similarly invigorating and enduring influence on the musical community. Many people make a pilgrimage for spiritual gatherings and to practice meditative arts at the many spas and resorts that are in and around Santa Fe.

Santa Fe is rooted in paradoxes. On the one hand, it is one of the United States' oldest cities (by some reckonings the oldest), and many residents can trace their roots, and property holdings in town, back to the 17th century. Santa Fe has also been enjoyed the teeming influx of wealthy immigrants in the last 30 years. The desire to live amidst history, stunning architecture, and geography has generated new construction and created an international destination. These and other factors (not the least of which is a well-deserved reputation as a haven for flamboyant characters) contribute to one of Santa Fe's enduring and proudly-worn nicknames: "The City Different."

Much of the city's attractiveness, from both scenic and cultural perspectives, arises from its setting in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This location produces a mild continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are pleasant, with day-time highs usually in the 40s (Fahrenheit), often "feeling"warmer due to the sunny conditions. Snow varies wildly from year to year; some winters see almost no snow, while others will have several individual storms dropping a foot or more each.

Spring is usually dry and moderate in temperature, and the neighborhoods and plaza are painted in yellow and pink blossoms. Early summer is hot and dry, with highs around 90, but gives way around mid-July to a refreshing climate as summer, monsoonal thunderstorms peel off the mountains and cool the afternoons down. The monsoons typically die out in early September leading to a fall with dry, sunny days and clear, crisp evenings. The first frost is usually in October, with snow starting to stick in the mountains at about that time, and generally blanketing the city in late November and December.

Travelers following the Route 66 itinerary should note that Santa Fe was on the "original"Route 66, although it was bypassed during the 1930s as a result of some curious political shenanigans and the much shorter, "modern"Route 66 didn't go anywhere near Santa Fe.

Santa Fe has a small but vibrant downtown that is not only walkable, but walked, often, by many people late into the nights, particularly in summertime with the influx of tourists. Parking can be a significant problem during the summer and is not exactly easy to get at any time of year, but look for parking lots near St. Francis Cathedral, Sweeney Center, and between Water and San Francisco Streets west of the Plaza. If in town for the Santa Fe Indian Market, plan on parking a long way from downtown and taking a shuttle, e.g. from De Vargas Mall. Limited, but improving, public transportation is available at other times via Santa Fe Trails, the city's bus service.

The main roads through town are St. Francis Drive (US 84/285) from north to south, Cerrillos Road (NM SR 14) from the downtown area southwest to I-25 and beyond, Old Santa Fe Trail and its offshoot Old Pecos Trail from downtown southeast to I-25, and St. Michaels Drive and Rodeo Road and its offshoots, both connecting Old Pecos Trail and Cerrillos east to west. Most outlying attractions are accessible via one of these roads. The downtown area is a remarkable rabbit's warren of small roads that you really don't want to drive; park your car and walk. Streets tend to meander (Paseo de Peralta, one of the main roads in the downtown area, almost completes a loop) and, even when apparently rectilinear, are not necessarily aligned to true north/south/east/west.

If you're bound for the Santa Fe Opera from Albuquerque or points south, consider taking the Santa Fe Relief Route (NM SR 599), which leaves I-25 south of the Cerrillos Road exit, bypasses most of Santa Fe, and meets US 84/285 just south of the Opera. This can be a good way of getting to lodging and restaurants on the north side of town as well. Although the relief route is a few miles out of the way, the much less chaotic driving, particularly around rush hour, provides considerable compensation in time and aggravation.

Like many towns initiated by the Spanish, Santa Fe has a central square that is a gathering place for all types. For hours of entertainment, pull up a bench and people watch; you'll rapidly gain an appreciation for how the "City Different"nickname applies. Especially nice in the summer evenings as the temperatures drop (although rain may drop as well) and the people come out.

Museums

Santa Fe has a variety of interesting museums, most in the downtown area and easily reached on foot. The first five listed below are sub-units of the Museum of New Mexico, for which you can buy a shared pass that allows access to all five museums within a four-day period. If you only have time for one, individual passes are available.

• Palace of the Governors, The oldest public building in the United States, this 17th-century building houses a historical museum and museum shop, the latter with better Hispanic crafts than Native American.
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Museum of International Folk Art.
• Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
• Museum of Indian Arts & Culture Laboratory of Anthropology.
• Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
• Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian Institute of American Indian Arts Museum
• Rancho de los Golondrinas
• Santa Fe Children's Museum.

Architecture

• Francis Cathedral
• Loretto Chapel and The Miraculous Staircase

Santa Fe's origins as a venture of early Spanish colonists have made it the home of a number of legends, myths and stories mixing indigenous and Catholic themes, one of the most famous being the legend of the Miraculous Staircase. The choir loft at Loretto Chapel is reached by a winding staircase with two complete revolutions, and no obvious means of support. The otherworldly staircase looks as if it floats. Legend says that a mysterious carpenter built this staircase single-handed in the 1870s, then vanished without a trace before he could be paid or even identified. Some say that this carpenter was none other than St. Joseph, patron saint of carpenters, who came to earth.

• San Miguel Mission. Thought to be the oldest surviving mission church in the United States.
• Santuario de Guadalupe
• Scottish Rite Temple Startling, bright pink.
• The State Capitol Building. One of the country's most unusual and striking state capitol buildings, and is usually open to visitors during working hours. It's known locally as "the Roundhouse,"and even a casual look will tell you why. Free.

An enormous number of Santa Fe structures are on the National Register of Historic Places. A good way of sampling the Historic Places is to start at the Plaza (itself one of the designated places) and work your way out. At least 40 places on the Register can be reached conveniently from here.

Festivals

Santa Fe hosts a seemingly unending series of community fairs, festivals and celebrations, of which the most characteristic is the Fiesta de Santa Fe. This grand city-wide festival is held over the weekend after Labor Day in mid-September, after most of the summer tourists have left. The celebration commemorates the reconquest of Santa Fe in 1692 by the Spanish after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Fiesta opens with a procession bearing a statue of the Blessed Virgin known as La Conquistadora to the Cathedral of St. Francis. Revelry starts with the Thursday night burning of Zozobra, also known as "Old Man Gloom,"a huge, animated figure whose demise at the hands of a torch-bearing dancer symbolizes the banishing of cares for the year. Prepare for BIG crowds– this event is not for the faint of heart and can be downright scary for small children! The crowning of a queen (La Reina) of the Fiesta and her consort, representing the Spanish nobleman, Don Diego de Vargas, who played a key role in the founding of the city, is a matter of great local import. Revelry continues through the weekend and features such events as the hilarious children's Pet Parade on Saturday morning and the Hysterical/Historical Parade on Sunday afternoon. A Fiesta Melodrama at the Community Playhouse effectively and pointedly pokes fun at city figures and events of the year past. The Fiesta closes with a solemn, candle-lit walk to the Cross of the Martyrs.

A few of the other festivities during the year, are:

• ArtFeast, Edible Art Gallery Tour, February 22-25, 2007.
• Santa Fe Community Days, mid-May.
• Santa Fe Plaza Arts and Crafts Festivals, mid-June and Labor Day weekend
• Rodeo de Santa Fe, late June-early July.
• Santa Fe Wine Festival, first weekend in July, Rancho de las Golondrinas, taste some of the finest wines in New Mexico in the beautiful outdoor setting of a living history museum.
• International Folk Art Market, early July, a huge gathering of folk artists from around the world showing their work on the Milner Plaza at Museum Hill
• Summer Antiquities Show, July.
• Santa Fe Jazz Festival, mid–to late July.
• Summer Spanish Market late July in the Plaza.
• Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival international musicians, July and August
• Mountain Man Rendezvous, mid-August, Palace of the Governors
• Santa Fe Indian Market This annual mid-August event is the most significant Santa Fe festival for tourists and collectors. The entire downtown area is filled with vendors of American Indian arts and crafts, ranging from $10 tourist trinkets on up to breathtaking works of the highest quality. It advertises itself as the world's largest show for Native American artisans, and the description is probably accurate; an artisan who wins one of the top prizes in the juried competitions here is "made"as a significant folk art figure. Lodging is tight, so if you're attending, make plans early -–Indian Market weekend in 2007 is August 18-19.
• Thirsty Ear Music Festival, August-September, Eaves Movie Ranch
• Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta, in late September, pairs wines from vintners around the world with the spicy foods for which Santa Fe is known. Wine makers' dinners, special tastings and the Grand Tasting on the Santa Fe Opera grounds make for a vintage weekend! This event is a sell-out for Santa Fe, so lodging is at a premium– reserve early.
• Santa Fe Film Festival, early December; the web site is usually updated in the fall to reflect the coming offerings.
• Winter Spanish Market, early December.
• Las Posadas, a pre-Christmas commemoration of Mary's and Joseph's search for lodging taking place outdoors on the Plaza.
• Farolito Walk, a Christmas Eve walk around the historic areas of downtown Santa Fe, throughout which have been set farolitos, small brown bags filled with sand and a votive candle, to light the way for the Christ Child.
• Winter Antiquities Show, late December.

In addition, many of the Native American pueblo communities nearby schedule dances and other ceremonies to celebrate specific feast days throughout the year that welcome tourists (along with a few that are for tribe members only).

Music and Performing Arts

Santa Fe is an important center for music and musical groups, the most illustrious of which is the Santa Fe Opera. The opera house is on US 285 on the north side of town and is partially "open air,"so that opera goers get attractive views of the Jemez Mountains near Los Alamos as an additional backdrop to what's on stage.

The Santa Fe Opera is known around the world for staging American and even world premieres of new works, the operas of Richard Strauss, and promising new artists on their way up. Opera season is the summer, with opening night usually around July 1 and the last performances in mid-August. People-watching here can be as much fun as the opera itself.

Other important musical/performing-arts venues in town are:

• Armory for the Arts
• GiG, a spinoff of the Jazz Festival.
• Greer Garson Theatre
• James A. Little Theater
• Lensic Performing Arts Center
• Paolo Soleri Theater, outdoor amphitheater at the Santa Fe Indian School.
• St. Francis Auditorium
• Sweeney Center
• Many churches host concerts of various kinds, among them St. Francis Cathedral and the Santuario de Guadalupe, and the remarkable Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community extraordinary acoustics at the latter.

Some of the musical groups using these spaces are:

• Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. A professional ballet company that splits its time between Santa Fe and Aspen, Colorado.
• Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco/Institute for Spanish Arts. Internationally renowned Spanish/flamenco dance and music, summer season.
• Musica Antigua de Albuquerque. Many groups based in Albuquerque perform in Santa Fe as well; this one specializes in music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque, performed with period instruments as well as voices.
• MusicOne: The Santa Fe Concert Association. Not a performing group but rather the body that brings in many visiting artists.
• Sangre de Cristo Chorale. One of the best of the many "community-based"choral groups drawing on the enormous pool of skilled singers in northern New Mexico. Two repertoires per year (usually Christmas, with a well-regarded dinner concert, and spring), as well as special events throughout the year.
• Santa Fe Desert Chorale. Fully professional choral music, with summer and winter programs, including works specifically commissioned for the ensemble.
• Santa Fe Pro Musica. Chamber orchestra, multiple performances from September through April.
• Santa Fe Symphony and Chorus. Classical and contemporary works performed September through May, including interpretive lectures and occasional youth concerts.
• Santa Fe Women's Ensemble. A 12-voice choral group, performances Christmas and spring.
• Serenata of Santa Fe. Yet another choral group with a September-to-May schedule.

Outdoor Activities

As one might expect from its location between mountain and desert, Santa Fe is rich in outdoor activities, particularly hiking, cycling, and skiing.

Old Fort Marcy Park and Prince Park Commemorative Walkway, 300 Kearney Ave., is an in-town park suitable for a short hike to begin getting your cardiovascular system adjusted to the 7000-foot altitude.

• Santa Fe River Park runs along the so-called Santa Fe River (it rarely has more than a trickle of water), with access convenient along the south side of the downtown area. You'll share the path with myriad walkers, bikers and boarders.
• The campus of St. John's College, is the starting point for several hikes of lengths ranging from 2 to 7 miles, the latter being the ascent of Atalaya Mountain, one of the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos that rises just east of town. Park at the visitors' parking lot and choose your hike. (Note: if you get lost on these or one of the other trails nearby, take solace from the fact that St. John's College is also the home of a nationally-recognized search and rescue team.)
• Much of the route of the Santa Fe Southern Railway is suitable for hiking. There are trailheads on Rabbit Road (continuation of Old Pecos Trail on the south side of I-25) and on County Road 660 ("Nine Mile Road"). Needless to say, keep an eye out for trains.

A well-regarded bike shop is Rob and Charlie's. They have just about everything you'll need for riding in the area, including recommendations, but unfortunately, they don't have rental bikes. For rentals, try Mellow Velo (formerly Sun Mountain Bicycles). They also offer guided rides on some of the mountain-bike routes in the mountains. Note: if you're cycling, thorn-resistant tires and tubes are almost mandatory owing to the ubiquitous "goat's head,"a weed whose seeds seem custom-made to puncture bike tires. For hiking, trail running and climbing goods and services, check out Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works.

Shopping and Collecting

Santa Fe is probably the best place in the world to shop for specifically American Indian arts and crafts. How to proceed depends on what your goals are and how much you want to spend. If your goal is to obtain mementos of no great intrinsic value, check out the Native American vendors on the Plaza "Portal"(accent on second syllable) in front of the Palace of the Governors; the jewelry and pottery is inexpensive and its authenticity is guaranteed. Pickings may be a bit thin on Sundays, and the vendors pick up and go home after 5:30. A word of warning: do not patronize the similar vendors on sidewalks out around town unless you know they're OK. If they're not on the Portal, there's a reason, and one common reason is that they're passing off non-Indian junk as authentic. Some authentic artisans may be off the Portal, but caveat emptor.

For higher-quality (and higher-priced) Indian art that you'll feel good about when you get it home, galleries cluster around the Plaza. Three reputable ones (there are more) are

·         Andrea Fisher Fine Pottery

·         Packard's

·         Ortega's on the Plaza

For contemporary art, make sure you walk down Canyon Road, an easy stroll from downtown, which is full of unique, quirky and just plain fun art galleries. Other galleries are west and south of the Plaza in the downtown area itself. A small sampling to give you a sense of what's there:

·         Allan Houser Gallery. Focuses on the work of the prominent 20th-century American sculptor. Tours of his compound are available.

·         Gabriel Gallery

·         Gerald Peters Gallery. One of Santa Fe's "high-end"galleries, with works by some famous artists (Hurd, Remington, Miro, etc.), bearing six-digit price tags in some cases. The serious art collector should definitely check this one out.

·         Klebau Photography Gallery. The proprietor of this photography-oriented franchise is also deeply involved with Santa Fe's classical-music scene, and may be able to give you tips on what's playing if he's there (buying something doesn't hurt, of course).

·         Nedra Matteucci Fine Art, Traditional paintings and sculpture by contemporary European and American artists.

·         Nedra Matteucci Galleries. Another gallery by this well-known Santa Fe entrepreneur, with an emphasis on 19th–and 20th-century work, including a number of works from the Taos art colony.

·         Shidoni Arts, Bishops Lodge Road (village of Tesuque), 8 acres of sculpture garden display the diverse and eclectic work of the celebrated Shidoni Foundry, along with furniture, ceramics, photography, etc.

·         William R. Talbot Fine Art. Specializing in antique maps and prints.

·         Winterowd Fine Art.

This listing barely scratches the surface of the art scene in Santa Fe; the community phone book lists over six pages of galleries.

Only in Santa Fe: Another chapter was added to the weird, wonderful lore of the "City Different"in August 2007, when one of the many jewelry and art shops in the downtown area suffered a midnight break-in by -–no kidding -–a mountain lion. You won't have to compete for goods with this aesthetically inclined beast, however, as he was tranquilized by Fish and Game officers, removed, and released in the mountains of northern New Mexico.

• There are quite a few specialty stores for toys and lots of book stores, most of which are in the downtown area.

• A Santa Fe institution is the Flea Market just north of the Santa Fe Opera along highway 285. It's open on weekends except during the winter, and offers cut-rate shopping for just about anything you can get elsewhere in town. Look for random and interesting memorabilia and also for amazing people-watching.

Food

Santa Fe, and the rest of New Mexico, is known for its huge and spicy plates of Southwestern food. Restaurants in Santa Fe run from expensive haute Southwestern to down-home fast-food style plates, where you will be asked "red or green"(chile). You can try a mix of both red and green chile peppers by asking for your dish "Christmas style".

Santa Fe also has a number of excellent restaurants offering other cuisines -–possibly too many of them, in fact, as the highly competitive marketplace forces even some very good ones out of business before their time. It is almost impossible to overstate the dining possibilities here; they far outstrip those in most American cities ten times Santa Fe's size. As with several other New Mexico towns, restaurants in this description are broken into the sub-categories "New Mexican"(which, note, is not the same as "Mexican"by any means) and "Other."Meals (exclusive of drinks and tips) will usually cost $10/person or less at the "Budget" places, $10 to $25 at the "Mid-range"ones, and more -–sometimes much more -–at the "Splurges."Note that many Santa Fe restaurants are somewhat "casual"as regards business hours; if a place doesn't have hours listed below, inquire locally as to when it's open, as the hours may change erratically.

New Mexican

There are so many great New Mexican restaurants in town that a description here can barely scratch the surface. A note on red and green chile: half of the writers on New Mexican food claim that green chile is hotter than red, while half claim it's the other way around. In reality, the best authority on the spiciness of the chile at the particular restaurant you eat at is the restaurant itself, so if you're concerned about the chile being too hot, simply ask; you'll get a straight answer far more often than not. One thing that's definitely true, however, is that green tends to be fleshier than red, and adds a bit more substance to the dish, independent of the heat level.

Budget

• The local Woolworths on the Plaza is said to be the birthplace of the "Frito Pie"; it has since been replaced by the Five and Dime. The original chef is purported to still serve them there. The Frito Pie consists of a Fritos corn chips topped by meaty red chile and cheddar cheese, with onions and jalapenos as a garnish, served in the original Frito bag.
• The Shed. The quintessential New Mexican lunch spot. In a little plaza off East Palace Avenue in the heart of the downtown area, recessed off the street and hard to find, but worth the effort to poke around the several side plazas until you locate it. Its sister restaurant La Choza, is open evenings and is on an obscure side street close to the main drag of St. Francis Drive, well outside the downtown area. Both serve "traditional"New Mexican food (enchiladas, stuffed sopaipillas, and tacos).
• Cafe Dominic, is a relatively new eatery near the beautiful Santuario de Guadalupe. Open 7 days for all meals, but try this one particularly for breakfast; the breakfast burritos and Santa Fe omelettes with green chile are excellent.
• Diego's, in DeVargas Mall. A down to earth local hangout on the north side of town, with excellent local fare. Many compare it favorably to Tomasita's, and you can get in without waiting for an hour. Don't be fooled by the fact that it's in a mall, it's excellent.
• Felipe's Tacos,.Huge burritos, tacos and very, very authentic Mexican food for as little as a few dollars. It's located only a few blocks from Santa Fe High, so after school can be a little crowded, but it's worth the wait. Open Mon-Sat, closes at 4:30.
• Plaza Café. An old standby a stone's throw from the vendors on the Portal. Open 7 days for all meals, but particularly recommended for lunch, although it's crowded.
• Tia Sophia's. Breakfast and lunch 7 days; much loved by locals for breakfast.
• Tortilla Flats. A well known New Mexican establishment with typical Santa Fe fare. Frequented by many locals, another great stopping point for a quick meal or a casual dinner.

Mid-range

• Tomasita's. Considered by many to serve the definitive "traditional"New Mexican food. Expect to wait, as it's enormously popular.
• Blue Corn Café. Lunch and dinner 7 days a week. A curious combination of New Mexican cuisine and a microbrewery.
• Maria's New Mexican Kitchen. Prides itself on margaritas, but the traditional New Mexican cuisine is also great.

Splurge

• La Casa Sena. "Southwestern cuisine"– the merging of traditional New Mexican preparation and presentation with more modern, creative ingredients.
• Coyote Café. A highly-regarded "Southwestern"dining experience.
• Gabriel's. As much "Old"Mexican as New Mexican. The guacamole appetizer is fantastic, as are the fajitas. Dinner with guacamole and sangria will cost $25 or so.
• Ore House on the Plaza. Combines Northern New Mexico cuisine and steakhouse offerings, with balcony dining on the second floor. The cantina (bar) is a popular watering hole as well.

Other Cuisine

Santa Fe has plenty of standard chain restaurants (Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster, etc.), but why bother? There are enough excellent "local"ones that you can save your trips to these more ubiquitous eateries for cities less well-endowed from a culinary point of view. All restaurants below are uniquely Santa Fean in their character and cuisine.

Budget

• Bobcat Bite. An utterly unpretentious burger joint.
• Chopstixs. A fast-food, take-out or dine-in Chinese restaurant.
• Dave's Not Here Restaurant. Local hangout featuring burgers with a New Mexican flavor.
• Pyramid Café. Good Greek/Mediterranean lunches.
• Santa Fe Baking Company. Sandwiches, soups, etc. for lunch, but don't go just for the lunch (or breakfast); grab a dessert while you're there, these being what it's known for.
• Santa Fe Steamer. Seafood, breezy and informal yet with attentive service.
• Upper Crust Pizza, Widely considered to serve the best pizza in town.
• India Palace and India House, Excellent Indian cuisine, both operated by the same family, with essentially identical menus. India Palace is more "atmospheric," India House more convenient (better parking), and the sag paneer at both is to die for.
• Mariscos La Playa Restaurant (two locations).An example of the difference between "Mexican"and "New Mexican"cuisine; these restaurants definitely are the former, with an emphasis on seafood prepared as in Old Mexico. (You definitely won't find the Pulpo -–octopus -–dishes on the menu at their New Mexican counterparts!)
• Mu Du Noodles.Features noodle/pasta dishes from around the world, but most of the dishes are from China or Southeast Asia.
• Pasqual's. An old standby in the downtown area. As with many Santa Fe restaurants, the menu blends New Mexican cuisine with traditional American fare.

• Pink Adobe. A long-time Santa Fe standard, near the downtown area. A mix of continental and New Mexican cuisine that borders on "Splurge"territory.
• Pranzo Italian Grill. May be the best Italian restaurant in town.

Splurge

• 315. A restaurant whose name is also its street number. French/Continental cuisine in a sidewalk-bistro-like setting. Good wine list, and save room for the creme brulee dessert.
• Bishop's Lodge Restaurant. At the pricey Bishop's Lodge Resort, north of downtown on the way to the village of Tesuque. One of the few "Splurge" restaurants that offers three meals a day, including a Sunday brunch. Eclectic cuisine, basically American.
• The Compound. Located on Canyon Road near the art galleries. Although the Compound once enforced a dress code of jacket and tie, new chef/owner Mark Kiffin eliminated any formal dress requirement. Southwestern cuisine.
• Geronimo. Another fine restaurant amid the Canyon Road galleries. The menu tends toward Continental but is entertainingly diverse and changes frequently.
• El Mesón. Spanish cuisine, well prepared and attentively served; the paella is excellent.
• Santacafe. One of Santa Fe's big-name restaurants, and you probably pay a little extra for the celebrity, but the American/Continental fare is creative
• The Old House Restaurant. AAA Four Diamond restaurant that Zagat honored as New Mexico's best. Contemporary global cuisine featuring seasonal and regional ingredients, with Southwestern and Asian influences. The wine selection earned Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence
• Tulips. Santa Fe is full of unpretentious, little-advertised, yet good hole-in-the-wall restaurants that nobody has heard of, and this one is better than most. American-meets-Continental cuisine; the elk tenderloin is marvelous.

Drink

Two of the ubiquitous alcoholic beverages in Santa Fe are the familiar margarita and the possibly-less-familiar sangria, a wine-based concoction incorporating fruit, more commonly associated with Spain and Central America. Most of the better New Mexican restaurants in town have their own house sangria; it goes well with New Mexican cuisine, and is claimed by some to be a useful antidote if the spicy food gets the better of you. It's considered much more of a day-to-day beverage here than in many other places.

Much of the beer consumed in the community is imported from Mexico, and there are also a few microbreweries. If you're sticking with non-alcoholic beverages, a tip: Many locals advise against having soft drinks with New Mexican food, instead preferring iced tea. This preference is based on the belief that carbonation in drinks (including beer) tends to accentuate the spiciness of the chile peppers and cause the spicy component to hang around in the throat, while iced tea mutes it.

Where to enjoy the cocktail hour

• St. Francis Hotel is one of the best places for people-watching in all of Santa Fe. The crowd tends to be more sedate here than at some other places.
• The Inn on the Alameda includes in its rates an afternoon wine and cheese reception, and, with its location at the base of Canyon Road, offers an easy way to relax after a day of gallery-hopping.
• Changes in New Mexico laws during the 1990s led to the development of casinos at a number of nearby American Indian pueblos. The closest to Santa Fe are along US 285 on the way to Pojoaque. Big-name acts occasionally appear and liven up the night life, although you're as likely to catch a falling star on his/her way down-and-out as a current, lively act. The two listed here may run shuttle services connecting to the major in-town hotels; inquire locally as to availability.

·         Camel Rock Casino, US 84/285 (10 miles north of town).

·         Cities of Gold, US 84/285 (15 miles north of town in Pojoaque).

• Several of the local-style bars can be found on Cerrillos Road and St. Michaels Drive, if you'd prefer to avoid the touristy places.

Sleep

Most Santa Fe hotels, motels and B&Bs are in one of two areas: downtown (near the Palace of the Governors and Plaza) or on Cerrillos Road, the commercial main drag. The distance of the Cerrillos Road hotels from the downtown attractions isn't significant from a purely physical point of view; the most distant ones (near Villa Linda Mall) are still within a couple miles of the downtown area, which can be reached quickly by car or shuttle bus. However, the atmospheric distance is enormous. Downtown has the fabled Santa Fe ambience of a sleepy old Western village frozen in time and transported to the 21st century (with, of course, a few modern amenities and nuisances added, like cars), while Cerrillos Road has the "ambience" of a shopping district in a suburb of a major city. In compensation, hotels on Cerrillos Road tend to be less expensive on an amenity-for-amenity basis. When deciding where to stay in Santa Fe, give particular thought to the balance of ambience and economy that fits your needs.

"Budget"lodging (if any) will start at less than $75 a night, "Mid-range"from $75 to $150, and "Splurge" greater than $150, with some of the luxury suites, etc., ranging far upward. A warning on the "Budget"and "Mid-range"classifications: Santa Fe hotels and motels are prone to very substantial seasonal variations in availability and price. A hotel that may look like "Mid-range"during off season (spring, fall exclusive of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta week, usually in early October) may be "Splurge"material during ski season and the summer, particularly around significant events such as the Santa Fe Indian Market, Fiesta, opening weekend of the Santa Fe Opera, etc. Check carefully on rates when booking; most of the more important hotels/motels have informative web pages.

Budget

Budget hotels and motels in Santa Fe are few and far between. The economy-rate chains Holiday Inn Express, Motel 6 and Ramada Limited all have franchises in town, but it's not clear that any can really be considered "budget"lodging. Try one and write it up here.

• Santa Fe International Hostel. Part of the American Association of International Hostels. Places like this in Santa Fe tend to lead a precarious existence; it would be a good idea to call and verify that they're still there before you plan on staying there.

Mid-range

• There are a number of bed and breakfast establishments beyond the ones shown here. For more information, try Bed & Breakfast Accommodations. Rates vary not only seasonally but also with the room, as each establishment will have a range of room sizes and accommodations; larger and more luxurious rooms are likely to reach the "Splurge"category.

·         Casapueblo Inn. One of the newest downtown inns. Located in Santa Fe's historic Plaza.

·         Dancing Ground of the Sun Bed and Breakfast.

·         Pueblo Bonito.

·         Water Street Inn.

·         Zona Rosa Suites. Each one, two and three-bedroom suites is appointed with a Kiva fireplace, saltillo tile floors, and viga ceilings.

·         Dunshee's B&B and Casita. A small B&B near the Canyon Road art district.

·         El Farolito Bed and Breakfast. Authentically furnished casitas and great gourmet breakfasts -–the chicken-and-apple-sausage quiche is worth the trip in and of itself.

·         Alexander's Inn.

·         Delmar En La Cienega.

• Most major hotel chains have franchises in Santa Fe, mainly located outside the main tourist areas. A few on Cerrillos Road removed from downtown, hence better value-for-dollar if you don't mind the distance:

·         Hampton Inn. Notable for accepting (attended) pets.

·         Holiday Inn.

·         Quality Inn.

• Several of the classic downtown hotels/lodges approach "Splurge"status, particularly during peak periods, more for their locations than for their quality. A couple of the more reasonably priced ones:

·         Inn on the Alameda. Between the Plaza and the galleries of Canyon Road, an ideal location for exploring the attractions downtown. The Inn includes in its rates a lavish continental breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese reception. Pets under 30 pounds accepted in dedicated pet rooms with a nightly deposit.

·         Hotel Santa Fe. A little more distant from the Plaza than some of the others, hence a little less expensive and still within comfortable walking distance of most of the good stuff.

·         Hilton of Santa Fe. An old standard, one of the few downtown hotels that doesn't raise its rates during the tourist season .A great place for conferences too.

·         St. Francis Hotel. Atmospheric, and close to the downtown attractions. Good, if sedate, people-watching at the bar. On the National Registry of Historic Places.

Splurge

• Bishop's Lodge Resort. A full-service resort (tennis courts, summer children's program, etc.) in a peaceful setting away from the hubbub of the Plaza, but not so far away as to be inconvenient.
• Eldorado Hotel & Spa. A large and spectacular property convenient to the downtown attractions. Rooms are well done and atmospheric. The Old House restaurant was honored as Zagat's top pick for dining in New Mexico.
• Inn at Loretto. One of numerous downtown hotels that trade heavily on their proximity to the attractions.
• Inn of the Anasazi. This four-star Santa Fe luxury hotel offers fine dining, a business center, and Southwestern style boutique accommodations.
• La Fonda Hotel. The quintessential Santa Fe hotel, with the Plaza on one corner, beautiful Saint Francis Cathedral across the street, and several interesting and not-too-touristy shops on the premises.
• Sunrise Springs Inn and Retreat, outside town on Los Pinos Rd. Has spiritual gatherings, spa and conference facilities in a far more rural, rustic setting than most Santa Fe lodging.

Camping

There are several commercial campgrounds in town (Los Campos de Santa Fe RV Resort Rancheros de Santa Fe, Santa Fe KOA, Santa Fe Skies RV Park), but the camping is much more rewarding along the road to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. There are several campgrounds in the Santa Fe National Forest on this road, and there is also good camping at the very pretty Hyde Memorial State Park between forest and city. If you're planning on using the national-forest or Hyde Park campsites, make sure you have enough clothing and bedding to stay warm. They're in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and can get cold at night.

Extras

• Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa and Resort (on the way to the Santa Fe Ski Basin). A Japanese bathhouse with communal and private hot tubs, body wraps, several schools of massage, facials, etc., that can feel incredibly good after a day of skiing. Reservations strongly recommended, and mandatory if you're getting a massage or comparable treatments. Mainly a "day spa,"but there are a small number of rooms for overnight stays, in the "Mid-range"to "Splurge"class.
• More pedestrian resources for the traveler (laundromats, grocery stores, auto repair shops, etc.) tend to congregate along St. Francis Drive, St. Michaels Drive and Cerrillos Road. If you look for these services downtown (Plaza area), you'll pay extra for them without getting anything special in terms of goods and services; get away from the glamor district and save some money.

Finally, be alert for signs of health problems associated with high altitude, particularly if you venture out of town toward the mountains. Most often a severe headache may occur, and simply going to lower altitude may help relieve the pain (a trip down La Bajada to the reservoir will usually do it). Also pay attention during hikes and bike rides. The dryness of the air combined with physical exertion will often leave you not sweating through your clothes even if it's 85 degrees out, and many people won't realize they are working hard without that. Dehydration is a common issue for visitors-bring more water than you might otherwise.

Native Americana

One of the major contributors to Santa Fe's fame is the large number of American Indian pueblos nearby. Several are important centers for folk art; most permit visitors at dances and other tribal ceremonial events; and from a more contemporary perspective, several host casinos with gambling, night life, etc. There are also, however, some pueblos that jealously guard the privacy of their residents and admit visitors only grudgingly, if at all. Nearly all pueblos charge a fee for photography, video, sketching, etc., as an attempt to mitigate the impact of tourism on the private life of the inhabitants.

Some of the nearby pueblos that are accessible to the public, at least on occasion, are ("A"denotes a primary folk-art center, "C"means casino, "D"means dances or other ceremonials open to the public):

• Cochiti Pueblo -–southwest of town, A/D
• Nambe Pueblo -- north, D, pleasant campground and waterfall
• Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo (formerly San Juan Pueblo, and still so listed on many maps) -- north, A/C/D
• Pojoaque Pueblo -–north, C/D, not much there but an interesting museum and gaudy casino
• San Ildefonso Pueblo -–northwest, A/D, a major pottery center
• Santa Clara Pueblo -–northwest, A/D, another major pottery center
• Santo Domingo Pueblo -–southwest, A/D(?), excellent for pottery and jewelry
• Tesuque Pueblo -–north, C (note: pueblo itself is closed to the public)

Dances and ceremonials take place throughout the year, but one not-to-be-missed special event is the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Annual Arts and Crafts Show, held in mid-July at one of the pueblos, frequently Ohkay Owingeh. Many of the artisans use this event as a "tune-up"for the Santa Fe Indian Market the following month, so that both quality and quantity of the available work are quite high, yet the prices are often considerably better than for comparable work at the Indian Market.

Nearby Day Trips

• Taos, known for arts and crafts as well as a superb downhill ski area, is about two hours north of Santa Fe.
• The Enchanted Circle is a scenic and long drive that includes Taos and Eagle Nest.
• Santa Fe National Forest is nearby and offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. The Santa Fe Ski Basin is a short distance outside town, in the high country of the forest (seriously high -–even the base of the runs is above 10,000', so think carefully whether you want to go there if you have respiratory problems or are prone to altitude sickness). In addition to the obvious skiing, the lifts often operate during the summer, taking visitors to near the top of 12,000'-plus Tesuque Peak for great views. The road to the ski area goes through an aspen grove with spectacularly golden foliage in the fall, and several trails lead into the national forest from trailheads along the way. Some of the trails turn into interesting Nordic ski tracks in the winter.
• Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is just south of town near Cochiti Lake. Includes a trail through a short but spectacular bit of slot canyon. Highly recommended for the hiker with half a day to spend.
• A trip to Los Alamos and nearby Bandelier National Monument is a great excursion from Santa Fe. If you want to make a day of it, you can continue on into the Jemez Mountains and Valles Caldera National Preserve (plan ahead, as the Preserve's more interesting activities require advance reservations).
• If you're not tired of the art scene by the time you leave, head south on SR 14 to Madrid, an old mining town turned art colony, significantly lower-key than Santa Fe itself. Albuquerque lies beyond, with its own attractions; getting to Albuquerque via SR 14 is slower than the direct route on I-25, but compensates with far reduced traffic and nice scenery.

Ten Getaway Weekends In Your Own Backyard

New Mexico Place Names

The time cycle for the names in New Mexico extends from the prehistoric period to the present. The prehistoric period began with the arrival of the Southwest Indian groups, early in the European Christina era, and extended to the first European visitors in 1539, at which time Friar Marcos de Niza led a company of Indians across Arizona to Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico, searing for the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. The Spanish period may be divided into three distinctive intervals:

·         The period of exploration between 1539 and 1598

·         The first period of colonizing between 1598 and 1680

·         The second period of colonizing after the Pueblo Indian Rebellion in 1680 and the Reconquest by Don Diego de Vargas in 1692.

The 1692 Reconquest was important to place naming because it brought new groups of European settlers and new activity in the naming of settlements and landmarks. The Spanish period ended in 1821 when Mexico separated from Spain. This year also brought the opening of the Santa Fe Trail. Anglo-Americas gave English names to the places where they stopped, such as Rabbit Creek and Wagon Mound. Today English and Spanish place names are in the great majority and are about equal in number. The Indian names constitute a small minority.

Unique place names in New Mexico include:

Albuquerque – Bernalillo County. The records of New Mexico's 28^th colonial governor, Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdez, state that in the early part of 1706 the governor founded a villa which he named San Francisco de Alburquerque (note the first "r" in this old spelling), in honor of Don Francisco Fernandez de la Cueva Enriquez, Duque de Alburquerque, the 34^th Viceroy of New Spain, then resident in Mexico City.

Antelope – Hildago County, Boom settlement for short duration, 6 miles west of Crossroads. Said to have been named for anticipated "swiftness" of growth.

Belly Ache Mesa–Grant County, North of Silver City, on the road between Alma and Stevens. This grazing area was named for Belly-Ache Mesa oir Gut-Ache Mesa, because a cowboy cook warmed over some sour frijoles (beans), thus upsetting all the cowhands on a roundup. Another version blames bad son-of-a-gun stew for the upset.

Bible Top Hill - Union County, 3 miles west of Rabbit Ears Mountain. A deep depression runs east and west across the top og the hill, which appears like an open book.

Bug Scuffle Canyon– Otero Canyon.

Crazy Peak – Quay County, 12 miles south of Tucumcari. A pioneer and his wife came from the East and settled in the valley near the peak. The woman, unaccustomed to the vast country, overpowering silences, and harsh weather extremes, became demented. Her husband found her lying at the base of a high bluff from which she had jumped.

Humbug Creek – Colfax County.

Last Chance Canyon – Eddy Canyon. Named in 1881 when a party following a band of marauding Indians was about to turn back for lack of water, and discovered, as a "last chance," the running stream here.

Looney – Quay County. First postmaster, Henry J. Looney 1908 –1913. Later changed to Woodrow.

New Mexico – Territory of the United States since 1846, when it was occupied by military forces during the Mexican War, although more or less peaceful penetration had occurred after the opening of the Santa Fe Trail in 1821. Officially annexed by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, May 30, 1848. First petitioned for statehood in 1850, but not admitted until January 6, 1912, when New Mexico became the 47^th state in the Union. New Mexico is the 5^th largest state in the Union, encompassing 121,666 square miles. The name of the state is of Nahuatl derivation, being a transfer from Mexitli, a name of Tenochtitlan, the capital city of the Aztec nation. The Nahuatl Indians were called Azteca from Aztla, their traditional place of origin, or Mexicas from Mexi, their traditional leader when they migrated to the Valley of Mexico. The Axtec tongue also has the forms metztli, "moon," and xihtli, "center or central place". Thus, Mexico means "place of the moon," or "center of the moon."

Painted Cave – Sandoval County. In Bandelier National Monument.

Peacock Canyon – Union County. A family of this name located here in 1870.

Pep – Roosevelt County. Said to have been named by Harold Radcliff in the depression days, for the breakfast cereal of the same name.

Pie Town – Catron County. 21 miles northwest of Datil. In 1920 along came Clyde Norman, a tall Texan, and a WWI veteran. Driving west to California to make his fortune, Norman's car broke down. As he liked to bake, he thought that making hand held fruit pies might help him "get out of Dodge." Norman filed a mining claim, opened a general store, and baked pies, selling them to family and travelers. Word spread about homemade pies, and everyone started calling the crossroads "Pie Town." In 1927, the locals petitioned for a post office, and the authorities, as authorities are wont to do, wanted a more conventional name. The locals said "Pie Town" or no town. Pie Town it was.

Piggly Wiggly Canyon – Colfax County.

Poison Spring – Cibola County. Named because a man and several horses and mules died here after drinking the water.

Rabbit Ear Creek – Union County. Named for the mountain ridge toe the east, "Las Orejas de Conejo," Ears of the Rabbit. Freighters on the Santa Fe Trail called it "Cienega del Burro," Jackass Swamp.

Rosebud – Harding County. Settled in 1908 by three young sisters. A new barn was being painted a bright red. Upon finishing the job, the painters painted three green rosebuds at the end of the barn to represent the sisters. M.T. Nix, when applying for a post office several months later, sent in the name Rosebud. Post office 1909-1950.

Sail Rock – Colfax County. Peculiar rock formation in Cimarron Canyon, resembling the sail of a boat moving in the shallow waters.

Shiprock – San Juan County. Called Needles before 1848, and established by the U.S. as a northern Navajo Indian agency. The names comes from a majestic rock called by the Navajos, tse bida hi, "rock with wings.

Sipapu – Taos County. The word has been used from ancient times by Pueblo Indians to identify a hole in the firepit of their council chambers. The sipapu is associated with the Creation Myth of the emergence from the earth wombs or underworld.

Sitting Bull Falls – Eddy County. One bright moonlit night in 1881, a small group of Indiana led by old Chief Sitting Bull stole about 35 head of cattle and nine horses from Seven Rivers. The next morning a group of ranchers led by Bill Jones overtook the Indians at the ridge and found them eating one of the saddle horses. After an attack and two days of trailing the Indians, the ranchers followed stream, and when they came to the falls they named them after the chief who had been the cause of their discovery.

Skinned Ass Canyon – Catron County. Narrow canyon near Reserve. Named by the cowboys because it was such a tight fit for burro pack trains passing through.

Starvation Peak – San Miguel County. Said to have been named for a party of 120 Spanish colonists who took refuge here from an Indian attack. Men, women, and children were held up until they starved to death. A large Penitente cross now sits atop the summit, accompanied by a beacon light.

Swastika – Colfax. Sanskrit, "good fortune". Formerly a coal-mining town owned by the St. Louis, Rocky Mountain and Pacific Co. The Gardiner-Swastika branch of AT&SF RR once extended from Dillon to wastika for the purpose of shipping coal. 1919-1940. Changed to Brilliant.

Telephone Canyon – Otero Canyon. There is East Telephone Canyon and West Telephone Canyon, named for the telephone wires strung between them.

Tin Pan Canyon–Colfax County. Named for a shining tin pan nailed to a post by a miner as a guide to his friends who were to follow him to his camp.

Toll Gate Canyon – Union County. Branch of Dry Cimarron Canyon, 8 miles from Folsom. Named for a toll road built by Bill Metcalf through the canyon in 1870. His financial enterprise was a failure, as all highways and roads are toll free in New Mexico.

Tooth of Time Mountain – Colfax County. An immense wind-cut rock having the appearance of a tooth, on the top edge of a ridge.

Truth or Consequences – Sierra County. This controversial place name was adopted on May 31, 1950, when the city formerly known as Hot Springs voted to accept the offer of Ralph Edwards, master of ceremonies of a well known radio show, Truth or Consequences, in return for a yearly fiesta with the program held in their city. Many newscasters and newspaper reporters refer to the city as T or C. The hot springs here still remain an important attraction to heath seekers, whether advertised by name or not.

Wedding Cake Hill – Union County. Named for its peculiar formation, a round mount rising about 300 feet from the floor of the canyon. The grass covered slope is topped by red, white, and brown layers of sandy rock, giving it the appearance of a big layer cake.

Whiskey Canyon – Sierra County. In the early days the settlers had stills along the creek, and became careless in guarding them. When the Indians stole the whiskey and became intoxicated they decided to massacre the surrounding settlers, but were easily defeated because of their condition.

X-Ray – Torrance County.

Yunque Yungue – Rio Arriba County. Ancient pueblo site near the confluence of the Chama River and the Rio Grande where Juan de Onate in 1598 established his first capital on his entrance into New Mexico. Yunque Yunque was abandoned 12 years later when the capital at Satta Fe was established.

Zorro –Otero County. Spanish for fox.