I’m pretty proud of my girlfriends and myself. For the second time this year we managed to plan a weekend away and meet up, this time in New Mexico, for a girls trip of inspiration, debauchery, bonding, relaxation and ‘us’ time. Most of us have been friends for twenty years. And most of us are working moms. Many of us run our own businesses and getting away is not easy for any of us but so (SO!) necessary.
Before this trip I hadn’t spent too much time in New Mexico. I was there with Dabito (in Las Cruzes) to shoot the New Bohemians a few years back, but hadn’t spent time in Santa Fe since I was a child — and WOW!!! What a magical place.
We stayed at Ojo Caliente–hot springs about an hour from Sante Fe. We got one room and one house to accommodate us seven women, two nursing infants and one grandma who altruistically came along to help with the little ones. I would recommend this resort. It was quite affordable considering all the hot springs (and there are about ten different kinds of pools and mud baths and such) was included with the room cost. The restaurant was also very tasty, and the staff all helpful. It was the perfect place to land for a weekend like this.
On Saturday, we headed into Santa Fe for the Indian Market, which is an annual occurrence. It was more of an open-air art show than a ‘flea market’ per say, but it was fun to peruse all the arts and handicrafts. I bought a Hopi kachina doll and gleaned a lot of inspiration.
After shopping in Santa Fe we hopped in our rental car and headed to Abiquiu, where Georgia O’Keeffe’s home is. (If you’re interested in visiting her home you must get tickets in advance). It was so incredibly inspiring to see where and how she lived. It was a total highlight of the trip. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to photograph inside the home (total bummer) but if you google it there are plenty of photos if you want to see what the inside was like. One of the most inspiring aspects was hearing from our tour guide that she stumbled upon the land and the home and then fought for it and waited ten years to get it from the government before being able to purchase it. Talk about tenacity.
After visiting her home we drove another 15 minutes up to Ghost Ranch, where her other home was. That home isn’t open to the public currently but from there, you can see the breathtaking views of the ‘mesas’ and lanscapes that are so often seen in her work.
Then on Sunday, most of my friends left back to their respective coasts but I stayed until the evening so that I could spend some time at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum as well as the Museum of International Folk Art. The O’Keeffe museum was a bit underwhelming after having visited her home(s). Many of her more well-known works are at other, larger museums, but it was still fun to see just how prolific she was and to see her works after visiting her intimate space. The Folk Art Museum was another highlight for me. Y’all know how I feel about folk art, and seeing Alexander Girard’s personal collection was a bucket listed thing for me. I could have spent days in there. I also hit up the Santa Fe flea market at Buffalo Thunder — which was very quaint. I may have had a better experience if I hadn’t been yelled at (very rudely) for taking photos. (Oops #BloggerProblems).
at the Indian Market in Santa Fe
at the Indian Market in Santa Fe
at the Indian Market in Santa Fe
at the Indian Market in Santa Fe
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
in The Georgia O’Keeffe garden
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
at The Georgia O’Keeffe house
Goergia O’Keeffe’s rock collection
On Our way to Ghost Ranch
Views at Ghost Ranch
Ojo Caliente
From the “Tramp Art’ exhibit at the International Folk Art Museum
From the “Tramp Art’ exhibit at the International Folk Art Museum
From the Alexander Girard wing at the International Folk Art Museum
From the Alexander Girard wing at the International Folk Art Museum
From the Alexander Girard wing at the International Folk Art Museum
From the Alexander Girard wing at the International Folk Art Museum
From the Alexander Girard wing at the International Folk Art Museum
From the Alexander Girard wing at the International Folk Art Museum
Between hanging with my friends, the hot springs, the orange-y earth tones of New Mexico and all-around gorgeous landscape and all that art, it was the perfect weekend trip getaway to get re-inspired and reinvigorated.
I also (neither?) haven’t been to Santa Fe since I was a kid. I have a gallery there now so I guess I should visit. Kids. I don’t go anywhere.
So very very beautiful.
Thank you! Gorgeous photos!
I am planning a trip in October, can’t wait!
Santa Fe has been a very special place for me ever since I decided, at age 17, that I wanted to go to St. John’s (aka the Great Books) College there. Now, decades later, as someone steeped in the lush green of the Pacific Northwest, all that bare, parched earth seems both enchanting and hostile. (With the dry and hot summers we have been having in Portland over the last decade, we may be heading in the latter direction.) In any case, thank you for sharing this inspiring trip!
LOVE IT ALL!! What a dream. Beautiful pictures: ) thank you
Thank you for highlighting indigenous cultures existing here, in the United States. Mexican/Native culture is often overlooked, because of how familiar it may be, but is exploding with beauty and inspiration! Again, thank you for celebrating the beauty of the Southwest. Your photos are beautiful.
These photos look awesome and I love the southwest and its indigenous culture and am always glad to see it respectfully portrayed! I’m curious about your comment about getting yelled at for taking pictures. I occasionally vend at markets (in NYC where I live) and I admit to getting annoyed when people don’t talk to me and come up and start taking tons of photos of my work including lots of closeups and don’t ask permission. The funny thing is, I would NEVER say no if someone asks (and I’ve never yelled at anyone for not asking) but it just feels like a respect thing – if you like my work, interact with me rather than blocking actual customers from seeing it and taking lots of pics that for all I know are an attempt to rip off my art! I wonder if this is something bloggers think about and how you deal with this balance? Maybe this is a totally different situation; it just sparked my curiosity given that it was at a market.
Yeah! Great point/question. So a few things…I don’t just take photos at markets I’m also a customer and buy things very often. I’m always sensitive to not block other customers (especially since I had a shop and did markets for years too.) lastly, with handmade things I always ask if it’s OK but find that with vintage stuff people don’t normally care. The booth that I got yelled at was all vintage — and his tone was very off, saying that “your kind always does stuff like this.” Still not totally sure what he meant by that…but when I asked he said “people that take photos.” Anyway, it’s always a fine line. I wasn’t so much that he asked me not to take photos but the way he said it which was very rude and unnecessary. :)
Xx
J
I plan to go to New Mexico in the near future. By the way, you can rent a car right at the airport. This can be arranged upon arrival or online in advance.
Now, decades later, as someone steeped in the lush green of the Pacific Northwest, all that bare, parched earth seems both enchanting and hostile. (With the dry and hot summers we have been having in Portland over the last decade, we may be heading in the latter direction.) In any case, thank you for sharing this inspiring trip! James Bond island tour price
The funny thing is, I would NEVER say no if someone asks (and I’ve never yelled at anyone for not asking) but it just feels like a respect thing – if you like my work, interact with me rather than blocking actual customers from seeing it and taking lots of pics that for all I know are an attempt to rip off my art! Vietnam Cycling Tour
Now, decades later, as someone steeped in the lush green of the Pacific Northwest, all that bare, parched earth seems both enchanting and hostile. Vietnam Cycling Tour
Embark on an enchanting journey through New Mexico, where vibrant cultures converge amidst stunning landscapes. From the ancient pueblo dwellings of Taos to the adobe-lined streets of Santa Fe, immerse yourself in rich history, diverse cuisine, and breathtaking vistas at every turn. totnes devon
New Mexico offers such a unique blend of natural beauty, culture, and history! From the otherworldly landscapes of White Sands National Park to the vibrant art scene in Santa Fe, there’s so much to explore. Your travelogue captures the essence of the state’s rich heritage and stunning scenery. It’s incredible how New Mexico can feel like stepping into a different world with its mix of desert, mountains, and ancient pueblos. This post definitely inspires me to plan my own adventure there thank you for sharing your journey!
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New Mexico offers a unique blend of natural beauty, culture, and history! There’s so much to explore from the otherworldly landscapes of White Sands National Park to the vibrant art scene in Santa Fe. Your travelogue captures the essence of the state’s rich heritage and stunning scenery. It’s incredible how New Mexico can feel like stepping into a different world with its mix of desert, mountains, and ancient pueblos. This post definitely inspires me to plan my own adventure there thank you for sharing your journey!
south wingfield derbyshire