🌵2025 West to Angel Fire, NM. Day 4 -7 Amarillo to Angel Fire

This morning began slow and rainy in our covered wagon in Amarillo—the kind of start where no one wanted to move too quickly. The girls stayed cocooned in their beds, and I finally stopped asking if they wanted to cut paper dolls. (I got the hint.) So, I took creative liberty and dressed She Who Blows in the Wind and He Who Seeks Balance myself, carefully folding them into New Mexican Pueblo attire. They looked ready for the next chapter.

🙏 Devotional & Word of the Day: “Individualization”

Our devotional this morning focused on not comparing ourselves to the sons (or daughters) of others—a quiet but powerful reminder that grace meets us exactly where we are, not where we think we should be. It was fitting, really, as we each pulled our Adventure Cards and landed on the word “Individualization.”

It gave us a little space to reflect on what makes each of us unique travelers, with our own quirks, rhythms, and road trip personalities. Maysie and Olivia might share a playlist, but their adventure styles are as different as desert succulents and canyon oaks and they are perfect little travelers.

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🎨 Spray Paint and Route 66 Rhythms

First stop: Mudbug Ranch to spray paint on some old VW Bugs—a fun, messy homage to the more famous Cadillac Ranch. Then we rolled on to Route 66, letting our road-trip playlist guide us through old towns and wide skies toward Tucumcari.

💙 Tucumcari: My Heart’s Americana

Oh, how I love Tucumcari. There’s something so untouched, so deeply Route 66 about this little town. It’s sleepy in the best way. Quirky. Real. And full of memory for me.

David, Koestler, and I took a road trip out West during Covid and stayed at the Starlight Motel—one of the few historic hotels still open. I was happy to see it still going strong, even though some of the old spots I’d loved before hadn’t made it. Our favorite diner, the one we’d gone to every morning and again each afternoon, was sadly closed. A sign of the times.

Still, the girls loved it. They lit up in the kitschy little shops, laughed at old motel signs, and got excited about how the movie “Cars” was inspired by this town. (FYI: Radiator Springs is the fictional town based in part on Tucumcari!)

⛽ Fake Gas Stations and a Real Adventure

We needed gas—not memories or metaphors this time—so we pulled into what looked like a station, only to discover it was a dispensary in disguise. We tried another. Same. On our third attempt, we finally found one with actual working pumps. A small miracle in itself.

We attempted a geocache, too, but it was a few miles behind us, and sometimes you just have to let the treasure go and get back on the road.

🌈 The Turquoise Trail: Art, History, and the Mine Shaft

From I-40, we veered off onto The Turquoise Trail, one of my all-time favorite scenic roads. It winds through the Sandia Mountains, peppered with tiny towns full of color and creativity.

We passed through Cedar Crest, Madrid, and Cerrillos, watching random art sculptures and roadside installations pop up in the desert. We even spotted “Origami in the Desert”, an outdoor art display with roots in the area's mining and creative revival history.

Maysie got behind the wheel for a bit, which thrilled her (and mildly terrified the rest of us). But she did great.

In Madrid, we stopped at the legendary Mine Shaft Tavern, where I perched at the bar, soaking in the familiar feel of the place. I’ve been there a few times before and have many memories here with friends and family. Everyone found a small treasure to remember the trail by—local jewelry, vintage skirts, and I found the perfect denim lapis azul stone to replace one missing from a bracelet of mine.

🌇 Arrival in Santa Fe: Eldorado & a Welcome Reunion

We pulled into Hotel and Spa Eldorado, a far cry from our covered wagon digs. The girls were elated to learn they had their own room—and immediately began creating their own spa experience, complete with fluffy robes, face masks, and serious giggles.

Mandy joined us here and will hang out with us a few days in Santa Fe before escorting us to her home in Angel Fire, NM.

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That evening, the three of us—Alice, Mandy, and I—walked to the Santa Fe Plaza and had dinner on a balcony overlooking the square. There was live music, good food, and great people-watching. The golden hour light fell just right on the adobe buildings, and I felt that familiar feeling of arriving somewhere you’ve been before… yet it always feels new.

🌠 Essence of the Day:

“I am not here to be anyone else’s version of ‘on track.’ I am here to enjoy my own trail.”

Santa Fe!

After a few days on the road and a covered wagon sleep, we eased into our first morning in Santa Fe with no rush—just the way mornings should be. Everyone got ready for their own version of the perfect Santa Fe day, and somehow, all of us found exactly what we needed.

We were staying at the beautiful Eldorado Hotel and Spa, a warm and elegant base that gave us the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. After days of quirky roadside stops and covered wagons, this felt like an indulgent sigh of relief.

🌀 Meow Wolf & Museum Road

Alice and the girls headed to the wild, whimsical world of Meow Wolf—an immersive, interactive museum that’s impossible to explain unless you experience it for yourself. The girls were absolutely hooked and are already planning which other Meow Wolf location they’ll hit next. Here’s the website if you’re curious.

Meanwhile, Mandy and I took a more serene path, visiting the Museum of International Folk Art—a place I had wandered through years ago with my mom. Back then, I didn't fully appreciate the wonder of the collection. This time, it felt more alive—miniatures, dolls, costumes, and the intricacies of handmade traditions from every corner of the world. I’ve been working with the curator on some of my own textiles, but unfortunately, we just missed each other this visit.

We wrapped up our cultural morning with a glass of noonday wine and a light lunch on Museum Hill, then strolled across the street to the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. It was the perfect size—small enough to enjoy without feeling baked by the desert sun—and full of the very plants we’d been seeing across our travels.

🚗 The Square, Shopping & Shed Detour

We all met up back at Eldorado, just in time for a car show in the Square—because of course there was one. There’s always something happening in the Santa Fe plaza. We browsed shops, picked up a few treasures, and tried our luck at getting into The Shed for dinner. The wait? Two hours. The hunger? Immediate. So we rerouted to Santa Fe Burrito, where dinner was casual, filling, and perfect.

We crashed early—tomorrow promised chili seeds, hot springs, and high country wonders.

🌶️ Pepper Seeds, Mineral Waters & the Spirit of "Receiving"

After loading the car (one additional passenger) the next morning, we made a quick stop at a local nursery I’d been tipped off about—and jackpot! They had several Numex pepper varieties I’ve been searching for, along with a few other gems I’ll be using at school this year.

From there, we headed to the sacred, muddy oasis of Ojo Caliente Spa. This was a highlight for everyone—a little different from my snowy soak in the Colorado mountains in February, but equally healing. The girls thought it was the best thing ever.

We relaxed in the mineral pools, covered ourselves in mud, and soaked up the spirit of stillness. Our devotional focused on not judging others, and the word of the day was "Radiant”*—fitting, as we absorbed not only minerals, but the gift of rest, connection, and unfiltered joy.

Lunch at the Farm to Table Restaurant was as beautiful as the landscape around it, and the gift shop was stacked with books I now need—for me, for school, for life. I took notes and promised myself I’d order a few at a time.

🏞️ Rio Grande, Pueblo Visions & Mountain Magic

He Who Seeks Balance and She Who Blows with the Wind kept their Pueblo attire on for one final day, in honor of our route toward Taos Pueblo. Headed to Angel Fire, we crossed the Rio Grande Gorge, its winding river far below, and headed up into the mountains.

Our next destination was Angel Fire, where we stayed at Mandy’s parents’ mountain cabin, tucked into the trees and full of warmth and welcome. Her mom cooked a beautiful dinner, while her dad spun stories and entertained.

Mandy scattered corn for the deer—which, she casually mentioned, she feeds by hand. On the other side of the house, a herd of elk wandered by. The girls followed them to a clearing… where they spotted a bear.

By the time I found my shoes and binoculars, the bear was gone. All I got was a glimpse of a very energetic chipmunk. I’ll take it.

🛶 Rafting, Laundry & Grace

The next morning, Alice and the girls woke up early to go river rafting, while Mandy and I stayed behind—a quiet morning for projects, laundry, and reflection. After days of motion, it felt good to pause.

🌟 Essence of These Days:

“I receive this moment. I receive what it gives me—even if it’s not what I expected.”

These days were about individual experiences, shared discoveries, and the beauty of mountains, minerals, and letting go. We’re a little more sun-kissed, a little more tired, and a lot more connected.