Dreaming of Santa Fe (and Albuquerque)

One of my very favorite places to visit is New Mexico, specifically Santa Fe and Albuquerque.  We have so many wonderful memories of visits we taken.  With spring break coming up in less than 3 weeks, I've been hounding Casey to head west! 

There are so many things I love about Santa Fe, from the beautiful landscape to the delicious food.  Whenever we go shopping on the plaza, we always eat at The Burrito Company.  Good stuff!

A few random pics from the plaza. 

I also love all the street vendors selling their goods around the plaza.  I've gotten some really beautiful jewelry both from the street vendors and from jewelry galleries on the plaza. 

Aside from the jewelry, many local artists sell their art on the square.  One of my very favorite local artists is Patricia Wyatt.  Everytime we visit Santa Fe, I buy one of her prints.  I really want one of the framed giclees but they are quite expensive so for now I would just have to settle for the hand colored prints.

These are a couple of the prints that I already own. 

These are the prints I'm hoping to add to my collection soon!

Albuquerque is not far from Santa Fe and is where we usually stay when we visit.  Last year, we stayed at the Hyatt in Albuquerque Uptown.  Wow, talk about some good shopping!  With stores like Anthropologie, Ann Taylor Loft, MAC, and Gymboree (hey, I'm a mom), I was in heaven!  But the hubs wasn't so much after my shopping spree.  If you visit, I highly recommend staying nearby. 

Albuquerque also has a great little aquarium and botanical gardens that I love. 

Where's Lisa?

Some pics from the botanical gardens.

Moray eel.  Aren't they creepy?

So this is what I've been dreaming of.  With student teaching in full force, lesson to plan, kids to tend to, and a 4 foot tall pile of laundry, I really need a break soon.  Hopefully it will be in New Mexico!

Places I Hope to Visit This Year

Check out Kit's blog to see more about the New Year blog challenge!

Day 5: Places You Hope to Go this Year

We are hoping to take several trips this year.  We had hoped to take a cruise for our 10th wedding anniversary, but when we started looking at them, most of them were already booked.  I guess you have to plan really far in advance for cruises especially if you are not able to be flexible with travel dates.

I love planning trips and then having them to look forward to in the future!

We are planning a family vacation for this summer and have decided to go to Colorado.  I have never been before and hear it is beautiful.  One of my husband's favorite vacations as a child was to Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak, so of course this beautiful area is on the agenda.

 Colorado Springs.  Beautiful, plus there is a lot to do.

source

A view of Pikes Peak.  Breathtaking!

We plan on visiting Denver, Pueblo, and the Royal Gorge too.

source

source



source

I'm excited for this trip! 

source

The Hubs and I are also planning on taking a romantic, long weekend getaway to one of our favorite places: The Texas Hill country.  We are way up north in the Texas Panhandle, so it is completely different in terms of geography and climate.  I absolutely love Fredericksburg, TX and would actually consider moving there if the opportunity arose.



I'm very much looking forward to a getaway with my Mr. for some much needed alone time!

We love New Mexico and go there every year.  We are planning to take a trip to Albuquerque in October for the Balloon Fiesta.

source

Beautiful Albuquerque.

source 

Balloon Fiesta.  So neat!  We've been before and loved it!



Since Santa Fe is just about an hour away, we'll probably go there too.  I love Santa Fe.  So much shopping and beautiful scenery.  I have bought some really beautiful jewelry from Santa Fe. 

We will probably head down to Lubbock, TX this fall to pick apples HERE.  It's only a couple of hours away, so it would most likely be a day trip. 

These are a few trips we are planning to take this year, Lord willing.  There is nothing better than having some fun trips planned!