Enchantment in Santa Fe Part 2

Across from the oldest house in USA was the oldest functioning mission/church in the USA: Mission San Miguel. Like all of the buildings in Santa Fe, it was also made out of adobe with a wooden roof. (St. Francis of Assisi had burned too many times from Native American raids so there were only 3 of the original wooden beams left.)

A large, cast-iron bell welcomes you into the entry way. The bell weighs 800 pounds and was cast in Spain. The actual date is up for debate and I could not find one one guidebook or person to agree on date so we will just say 1300s. Legend says if you ring the bell, you will return to Santa Fe. Dylan really wanted to come back!! :)

Toured the State Capital building next. I have a thing for needing to see the Capital building for each state we visit. Another adobe building with a gorgeous interior made of Travertine marble all the way from Italy..No dome on this one either. I am very proud of New Mexico for blending the Native American culture with their American/Spanish one. All 3 influences can be seen in the design of the place, how they run their government system and the state symbol. The American eagle, the Mexican eagle with the snake in his mouth and the Zia Pueblo lines, symbolizing 4 winds, 4 seasons, 4 stages of life and 4 main times of day.

The skylight is done in Salmon and Sky Blue colors to represent the Earth and Sky for the native Pueblo people.

Dylan is such a GUY sometimes.... 

Spent the rest of the day wandering among the many, many art galleries of Santa Fe. Much of the art is very modern or just plain strange! However, we happened upon some pretty incredible pieces....

"Heaven bound"

I thought these were the neatest looking things and wanted one for my deck BUT the smallest one cost 3 grand. Yup, that did NOT happen; stuck with the chilies instead. :)

 I got all excited about this one too but had another let down. This was 4 grand or more....

 This one well, it's priceless. :)

Most amazing art we saw was done by using bronze and chemicals. NO PAINT!! This artist heated these natural chemicals and dyes from the earth until they were in liquid form and then poured them into the grooves of this bronze background. He used instruments to shape the liquid within the grooves and these are the result...

Again, we had to come away empty handed.... 

Rounded out the day with a stroll in the El Zaguan Gardens, shenanigans in the market place and shops of La Fonda and of course a visit to the REI store. Ate dinner at Tomasita's, a local favorite full of nothing but dishes with green chili. Dylan loves them. I tried, again, to eat them and just can't. Something about the taste just bothers me.