"Home Sweet Home in "The Land of Enchantment"" katezr's Profile

Spectacular Sky and Gorgeous Mountain Views

I am not from Santa Fe, New Mexico, neither is my family. My husband and I moved here in the summer of 1998 from the Boston area, and we immediately loved this oasis in the Southwest - or I should say, became enchanted by it - like most people who come here who don't mind the high altitude (7000 feet) and the sometimes severe drought. So we stayed. Both our children were born here, and I don't envision another move any time soon.

But, we love to travel. So in the summer of 2005 we ended up in Florence, Italy, for 10 months and then in Aix-en-Provence, France, for about 2 months. It was a great, unforgettable experience for the whole family, and our daughter spoke like a born Florentine by the time we left Italy; but, with two small children, living in a foreign country (Italy, at that :) and moving from one place to another was a hassle, and the summer heat in France was not a treat... In the end of July 2006, the moment we stepped foot in our house in Santa Fe was one of the happiest in my life! It was a fabulous feeling for me, and relief, to be back home. I appreciate Santa Fe and the U.S. so much more after our year in Europe, and unexpectedly, I have abandoned my old dreams of moving back to Europe. Every country has its own problems, but now I know for a fact that the grass always seems greener on the other side. Santa Fe is home for me and my family, and through our wonderful European adventure I realized it's as sweet a home as it can be. That must be the test: if you miss it when you're gone, and you love it when you're back, it's your true home.

w i n t e r 2 0 0 5

I am currently away from home for a year, and I miss it. You may think I'm crazy, being in a beautiful place like Florence, Italy, but think what you may, I do miss Santa Fe! It was all very exciting to gather our household, stuff it away into our garage, rent the house, pack some things, take the kids, and go to Italy for my husband's sabbatical year; it was hell trying to get all this done, but Paradise was in sight, so we did it (with the help of a few good friends, whom I unexpectedly miss now). And now, in the middle of winter, I find myself wistfully thinking about Santa Fe, where the sky at this time of year is crystal clear and beautifully blue (no fogs!)and the sun is warm and bright. But, Santa Fe is home and we will be back there in July, then I know I will dearly miss Florence and Italy... Can the human being ever be fully satisfied?

Santa Fe, "The City Different"

near the historic Plaza, w/ St. Francis Cathedral

Santa Fe is "the city different" in the U. S., a main frontier city of the U.S. Southwest. It is unique in its culture (a mix of Native American, Colonial Spanish and American) and architecture (adobe and stucco). The city is small, about 70,000 inhabitants, but very cosmopolitan; it is the oldest capital in the United States. New Mexico is known as "the land of enchantment," due to its stunningly beautiful desert landscapes and breathtaking skies and sunsets. The sky here is clear-blue at least 300 days of the year, with gorgeous storm clouds in the summer. The adobe architecture immediately strikes the visitor; its combination with the intense blue sky and the evergreen pinion trees has a way of making the city look almost surreal.

Third Art Market in the U.S.

Jen & Sophie in the garden of Waxlander Gallery

Santa Fe is considered the 3rd art market in the U.S., with hundreds of galleries, most of them clustered in the historic Canyon Road, and in and around the Plaza. Much of the art displayed in those galleries is by no means 1st class, but there is a lot of good stuff, too. In summertime all of the galleries have art shows with openings, or receptions for the artists featured, on Friday evenings (usually from 5 to 7 p.m.)

On another note, see an example of the adobe houses in Santa Fe. In the historic center, some of them are centuries-old. The oldest church in the U.S., by the way, is in Santa Fe - not surprisingly, this being the oldest capital city in the country!

Hollyhocks, Tulips, and Rustic Details

I borrowed these 2 photos from a Santa Fe website

What fascinates most people coming to Santa Fe is the unique adobe architecture combined with many rustic details, such as the coyote fences, the vigas (or beams) on the house ceilings, the sotillo floor tiles, the fireplaces in almost every home, etc. And the beautifully arranged gardens, especially the ones along Canyon Road - there may not be much rain in this town, but we've got spectacular gardens! Most of the flowers and plants are drought resistant, of course.

Taos, Another Inspirational Town for Artists

Fall flowers in Santa Fe

Taos is located about an hour north of Santa Fe, and the road to it is considered one of the most beautiful travel routs in the United States. Shortly before reaching the town is the Taos Pueblo, which is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. If you find yourself in northern New Mexico, make sure you visit it, and if you are lucky you might even see an authentic American Indian dance.

The Weather

Much snow in Santa Fe: an unusual winter (2006-07)

We have it all here: tons of sunshine (they say about 300 days in the year of bright sunny days - we wear facial sunscreen even in winter), snowfalls, sometimes heavy, in December through April (but the snow melts fast because of the strong sun), little wind, always in springtime, and little rain, mostly in the months of June-July (the monsoon season). The temperatures are very moderate all through the year, so the summer is never too hot and the winter is never too cold. If you visit Santa Fe in the summer, bring a sun hat (broad-brimmed is the best choice) and definitely your sunglasses (we wear them all-year-round!)

Intro Updated May 18, 2009
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Personal Pages (1)

Written May 26, 2006

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The Children

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Comments (11)

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mccalpin Apr 20, 2007 at 7:19 PM

Kate, I am sure that if you look hard enough...you'll find SOMETHING to like in Texas ;-) Bill
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alycat Apr 10, 2007 at 11:53 PM

Thnx..exciting page for someone moving to the US.
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DaveyJones Jan 26, 2007 at 7:32 AM

Happy Birthday!! Nice home page and mice pictures. Enjoy your day CHEERS!!
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effeti Jan 26, 2007 at 1:30 AM

Happy birthday from Italy, too!
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onlinerep Jan 26, 2007 at 12:45 AM

Happy Birthday Kate! Hope you have a great day. Cute pics! Greetings from England :)
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Jim_Eliason May 29, 2006 at 4:09 PM

I was just in Southern New Mexico last weekend but have not been in Santa Fe since 03
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alemir82 Feb 6, 2006 at 9:45 AM

Tnx a lot for your correction. check it now. i corrected. your page s great too! bye
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chiara76 Feb 4, 2006 at 2:46 PM

Hi Kate, many thanks for your nice words on my travel page. Yes, I know Santorini is wonderful and I suppose one day I will see it on my own eyes. Greetings from Warsaw, Maria.
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omran Jan 26, 2006 at 10:24 AM

happy birthday to you :O)
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sayedaburas Jan 26, 2006 at 6:51 AM

♫Happy birthday to you♫♫Happy b-day to you♫HAPPY BIRTHDAY to KATE♫♫Happy b-day to yoou! I wish you not only a happy year, but also happier maany returnsღღCongratulations(~_~)What an interesting stuff