We drove 300 miles north out of our way because I wanted to visit historic Santa Fe. I wished I’d not bothered. The campsite ( see picture) is pleasant but I’m afraid I was not impressed with Santa Fe. It’s claim to fame is largely historical, the infamous Navajo Long Walk came through on the old Santa Fe trail, Billy the Kid was temporarily imprisoned here before being moved and escaping and some of the buildings are supposed to be some of the oldest in the US.
However, despite pretty plaster buildings the actual centre consists of five main aspects: Overpriced and oversized jewellery in expensive boutique shops, overpriced expensive clothes with very odd designs in overpriced boutiques, unwashed hippies galore with overgrown beards, scabby unwashed kids and well dressed beggars with cardboard signs (all ages from teens upwards).
It’s also an artists meca, large art galleries with odd pictures, sculptures and the rest abound in Santa Fe. You want a full size bronze of an Indian complete with buffalo to stand in your house? You got it! Or you can have random bits of metal contorted into large shapes with what looks like breasts welded on, want two? No problem.
Needless to say the place did not have a pleasant feel to it, there was limited to see – unless to be fair you wanted museums because there are at least 5 huge ones which may or may not be good ( didn’t bother). We lasted 2 hours here, one of them was waiting for food.
A 600 mile round trip for nothing. Disappointing.
Oh, but I did see the site of the jail where Billy the Kid was imprisoned – it was knocked down in 1907. Sums it up really.
[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]
Well after a late rise this am (9.30), we eventually headed into old town Santa Fe following the rubbish KOA map and got lost in a 7.5 tinned motorhome down one way streets, not good.
So what do you do with your spare time in a campervan at 8pm, Wude Word Scwabble of course, where Wude words are worth 3 times there actual value.
Now those of you that know me, know I am a complete culture hound and history buff, err no that ain’t me is it, that’s the Mrs.
We made it to Holbrook after a brief stop at Winslow. The KOA is fantastic in the petrified forrest, the staff are very friendly and they have a camp cook out, so last night was a New York steak and this morning sees us with a traditional American breakfast of pancakes.
In 2013 to celebrate my ahem 40(something) bday I am going to drive the US coast to coast on a Harley motorbike, including what is left of historic Route 66, either with my biker chick on her own bike (or even trike) or sat behind me on a fat boy.
On the road to Holbrook we stopped at Winslow for a photo opportunity at the Standing on The Corner.
This is our campsite at the Grand Canyon. We are right at the very top section of trailer village which comes complete with personal picnic table, grill pit and all hookup services. A lovely peaceful location. Tonight it’s another steak and a chance for Mr Fogg to BBQ in the dark after we’ve done the laundry- a 3/4 mile walk away.
This is our last full day at the Grand Canyon before we head out tomorrow to Holbrook. It’s an incredible sight (no matter how many visits, the colours and views are constantly different). You just cannot imagine the scale. Mr Fogg is stood right on the edge at approx 7,000 feet above sea level, the very bottom of the canyon is approx 2,400 feet above sea level where the Colorado river flows through. To reach the north side (we are on the south side) is a mere 10 miles across as the crow flies, and yet to cross you need to descend about 6 miles to the first plateau at Indian Gardens. In total to hike to the river bridge at the bottom it’s an 8hr trek, and a total of 21 miles to walk down, across and up the other side.