We're about 3/4 of the way through our stay here in Santa Fe, and were quite shocked when we got up this morning. It was only 25 degrees out! That makes it really hard to do your business, when everything is all clamped down tight!
The folks, however, were not caught off guard like we were. Dad took measures to make sure our fresh water supply wouldn't freeze and that the coach would be nice and toasty in the morning. That was pretty cool of him considering his allergies have really knocked him down the past couple of days. But then, he's often as delicate as a Blue dog...
While we've been lounging around, snoozing during the day, the folks have done a few short tourist trips over the past week. On Saturday, first they went to the local farmer$ market, which turned out to be a little too rich for their blood (the "$" is there intentionally). Then they went to the Santa Fe Brewing Company with Jim and Charlene so Dad could get some more homebrew inspiration.
Tuesday they wandered off for about an hour and came back complaining they ate too much. Something about a local joint called "Tecolote Cafe" that was featured on several food and travel shows. It's the second time we've smelled Carrrrrrrrne Adovada on Dad's breath (ya gotta roll those "r"s) . Mom promised she would find a recipe and make some so we could try it as well. They were back at the coach only long enough for Dad to load the golf equipment into the car, then it was another visit to Marty's golf facility; this time they walked the "Great 28", a par-3 course that they played twice after the friendly golf pro said they could play over and over that afternoon for the single fee. At least they walked after that big lunch!
It was too cool for much outdoor activity on Wednesday, so Mom suggested a roadtrip to visit El Santuario de Chimayo, which is known as the "Lourdes of America" as a healing place. The Sanctuary encourages visitors to take a little of the sand from the location of the chapel's founding spot, which is said to have healing power. 
Afterwards, they drove the high road towards Taos to visit a couple of pottery studios. Dad says they went to over 8100 feet above sea level, and his sinuses felt a lot better while up there away from all the cedar trees.
Well, it's getting late and time for our evening biscuits. We hope the "magic tea" he's drinking now lets Sinus Boy sleep tonight.
The Posse
Warmer temperatures inspired the folks to venture out and about and do some walking here at 7000 feet.
They found that Santa Fe has a couple of very affordable and beginner-friendly golf courses, so Thursday they ventured out to Marty's course. That's Marty Sanchez' Links de Santa Fe, at a really nice municipal recreation facility near the county landfill. OK, it sounds kind of funky, but the course wasn't anywhere near the dump, had a really friendly pro shop, nice electric carts, and spectacular views from almost every fairway, tee box, and green. For just $28 per person starting at 1 PM, you can ride and play as many holes as you want and can fit in before dark. Of course, even riding, the folks weren't quite adjusted to the altitude yet so they only played 18.
And they dispute the claim that golf balls travel farther at elevation than at sea level, Dad said that they did not go any further into the weeds then they do at home.
They ventured into downtown Santa Fe on Friday. Most of downtown has narrow, one-way streets and you have to pay for parking, so the decided to take everyone's advice and catch the bus, which stops right outside the campground. Very cost-effective. Once downtown, they were almost overwhelmed by all the galleries and shops - fine art, jewelry, pottery, and southwestern crafts everywhere. There was also almost a flea-market-like line of vendors around the town square, mostly Native Americans selling sterling jewelry and some pottery. Mom said it was all very beautiful, but she couldn't justify the prices after learning our favorite biscuits had gone up in price by 30%. Right answer, in a pinch they could eat our biscuits, well the broken ones, but what could we do with a clay pot?
All that walking worked up their appetites, but rather than coming back to the coach so we could all eat, they stayed in town and ate at the Coyote Cafe cantina. Coyote Cafe is one of the most well-known Santa Fe restaurants, originally owned by Mark Miller, who's father Mark the folks had met almost 20 years ago at Benmarl Vineyards near Newburgh, NY. The Millers own Benmarl, but anyway...we're starting to babble like Mom does.
The folks had also eaten at the Coyote Cafe that was open briefly in Austin, TX. Chef Miller no longer owns CC, but the folks said the food is still very good and the cantina offers more casual dining on a rooftop terrace overlooking some of Santa Fe. Mom smelled like Mahi Mahi tacos and Dad like duck quesadillas when they got back, and they both talked about some kind of green salsa they both liked as well.
After eating, they checked out the Santa Fe Cooking School's store, a couple more galleries, and of all things a "crafts of Poland" shop. Who knew great Aunt Violet's wooden plates and Grandma's pisanki Easter eggs were worth so much! They claim they tried to find a store with local foods so they could bring something tasty back to us, but we aren't sure we believe them.
After all, there are two panaderias near the campground and we haven't seen a single sweet potato empanada..... We don't think they're trying too hard.... Plus we are now out of marranitos!!
Want to know how to tell if your human parents are geeks? The first tourist thing they do at a new location is go to a science museum.
Today the folks took the drive out to Los Alamos, where the National Lab is (and our good friend Larry is working). They didn't visit Larry since it was a work day, but they did go to the Bradbury Science Museum. With no admission fee, this was even more up their alley.
The Science Museum is dedicated to the men and women who essentially dropped off the face of the earth in the 40's to work on "the Gadget", the first atomic bomb. Because of the importance to national security, people who came to "the Hill" to work had to give up a lot of contact with the outside world, with mail heavily censured, their actual addresses hidden and all reported as a single Santa Fe post office box. Nowadays all the brain power at Los Alamos goes towards a variety of projects that military needs require, but may also have application to civilian needs, like alternative energies, new materials, etc. On display was one of the first Cray super computers, we were told it was used to formulate our Fromm dog food but we think they were pulling our paws.
The folks said that while the museum was somewhat small, the views on the drive to Los Alamos went on forever. They got to pull off for a scenic overlook at the most impressive of the vistas.
Today was a "lay low" day for us. The weather didn't turn out quite as cold as predicted (they were originally calling for snow here in Santa Fe), but it was raw nevertheless so we stayed at the coach and did lazy stuff.
Well, if you call removing and scrubbing the air conditioner faceplates "lazy". Dad took them completely off and apart and scrubbed cleaned them (first time in these last 6 years of the coach's existence for the entire assembly to be cleaned, not just the filters and grilles). All this was driven by the sinus trouble the folks have had since arriving in New Mexico.
Mom then spent most of the afternoon making the Barefoot Contessa's Lentil and Sausage soup. It sounded like a great plan - cold, rainy day and hot, homemade soup. Where she erred was forgetting what chopped yellow onions and leeks can do when the coach is all buttoned up.
Especially after watching Planet Earth's "caves" episode where they talked about sulfuric acid in caves and how the cave explorers have to wear protective equipment...
You see, Mom never uses yellow onions, only sweet ones. This time, though, she decided to follow the recipe exactly. It brought Dad to tears. So much so that he had to close himself in the bedroom of the coach with the windows open (and yes, it was only 44 degrees out).
Fortunately, there was no permanent damage and now we have tons of yummy soup.
Oh, Mom says she saw some reviews where folks used andouille or crumbled sausage instead of kielbasa and liked it even better.
What's Cooking
Lentil Sausage Soup
based on a recipe from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa
1 lb dry lentils
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cups diced yellow onions (about 3 medium)
4 cups chopped leeks -- white and light green parts only (2 to 3 leeks)
1 Tbs minced garlic
1 Tbs kosher salt
1/2 Tbs freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbs minced fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dry thyme or Italian seasoning)
1 tsp ground cumin
3 cups medium diced celery
3 cups medium diced carrots
3 quarts chicken broth or stock
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 lb kielbasa -- cut in 1/2 lengthwise and sliced 1/3-inch thick
2 Tbs dry red wine or red wine vinegar
Freshly grated Parmesan -- for serving
Pick over lentils (always check your dry legumes for pebbles and other foreign bits), rinse thoroughly and set aside.
In a large stockpot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and saute the onions, leeks, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are translucent and tender. Add the celery and carrots and saute for another 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and lentils, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, or until the lentils are cooked through and tender. Check the seasonings. Add the kielbasa and red wine and simmer until the kielbasa is hot. Serve sprinkled with grated Parmesan.
Servings: 10-12
Yield: 4 quarts