Bandelier National Monument

Our first day in Santa Fe started with a photo session after breakfast. The first post in this series about the house we stayed in is here.

We started driving to Bandelier National Monument around 8AM and reached there a little after 9 AM. It was a scenic drive with fall colors everywhere!

There are a lot of places in New Mexico to visit. This was a birthday celebration. So the ladies had shortlisted a few places to see considering the crowd and capabilities (my knee, MIL’s ability to walk etc.). Banadiler was supposed to be all level ground for the walking (occasional slope but with ramps and no stairs).

There was a guided tour and we joined that tour for the first 20 minutes. Then we decided to go as a group and see the rest of the stuff with the map.

My knee was put to the test even though it was walking through level ground and the occasional ladder climbing.

This place is our local Cappadocia !!! Similar soft stone where peope made a residence. The fall colors were beautiful as was the weather. It was supposed to rain, but we got lucky throughout the day.

Here are the pictures..

At the end of the canyon there was an alcove house which needed 140 steps to be climbed. We decided to see it from the base of the canyon and turn back. There was no way I was going up those stairs. Was happy to have gotten this far with the knee brace.

A shout out to Uniqlo.. those Gemini Ganesan style pants I bought in the Japan trip in April really came through. You cannot see the knee brace as I am wearing the pants on top of the brace!

We had packed lunch from the bay area and we had that in the picnic benches near the visitor center and drove back.

A video highlight reel…

Came back to the house and had a tea/coffee break. Then did a small photo shoot and we were off to see the Plaza.

That in the next post..

A weekend getaway in Santa Fe

Last weekend we decided to go to Santa Fe for a short trip with friends. Took Friday off and came back Sunday evening.

It was a 2 hour flight. Given my last flight before that was giving me PTSD I prayed to all the gods I know and don’t know that there be no turbulence or delays. The entire group was sending me to the restroom till the plane was about to board. Fortunately little turbulence on the way in. Weather cooperated. We landed and drove from Albuquerque to Santa Fe after getting our rental cars.

Men in one SUV and the ladies in another SUV. We reached our Airbnb an hour later.

The house we rented was the highlight of the trip. It was spacious and cozy at the same time, had amazing views and we had a great time just hanging out together. Also got to take photos during sunrise and sunset and occasionally watch the rain on the deck.

This “hacienda” deserved a post in itself. Here are some pictures and a video of the place itself..

A video highlights reel..

We would definitely recommend this place if you are going as a group of 8 or 9. Fantastic experience. We drove to an Albertsons which was 10 minutes away to shop for groceries and used the kitchen as well.

The rest of the “sightseeing” we managed to do over the two days will be posted over the next week.

My leg was still in a brace this entire trip and it was good I kept the brace. There was a lot of walking every now and then on flat terrain and this was a good test to see how the knee was recovering.

Glad I went on this weekend trip!

From point to hill to peak to mountain

There is a progression of heights..

We start with a point like Hunter’s point which we can see from our street corner. Then a little taller is a hill, like Nob hill close to our house. Then it goes up to Peak. Maisie's peak is the tallest point in our local preserve at close to 1200 feet. Then there are mountains…

Black mountain which we frequent here but is called a mountain because it is close to 3000 feet but a radio tower makes it cross that limit (or so I heard).. then bay area grand slam for hikers.. Mt. Tamalpais, Diablo, Hamilton and Umunhum.. which were all done at some point..

It has been 4 months almost since there was a walk in the clouds with a view.

Given the holiday today, we had decided to try Hunter’s point or Maisies peak with the group. Everyone cheered me on as I made my way up one step at a time. On the way down I was 5 mintues behind and my buddy Prasad was Mr. Patience and gave me company. He was walking zig zag the entire time to keep his feet moving while I was stepping through it.

Have missed this for so long! Made my way to Yoga later in the afternoon and enjoyed that as well. The good news is my knee is still holding up after all the activity today.

Pinching myself !

Here are a few photos and a video highlight reel..

it is going to be slow progress but today was motivational enough to keep taking the slow and steady approach!

Next I need to see some beaches and waterfalls and all will be well!