The Chimayo Santuary
Chimayo, NM was where we found Ortega's family weaving shop and had the privileged of snapping a few photos of their looms and where JB found a great new handmade vest.
We took a National Forest Road that was 4WD and one that really meant 4WD. It was A LOT of fun and the FJ got to really do it's job!
The fruit trees were bearing such nice looking fruit and the lavender scent filled the air at Railyard Park - I couldn't help but snap some nature pics while the kids ran and played.
OH - and the community gardens . . . . wow! They all looked so nice and well maintained. impressive. I looked it up and they are calling these waffle gardens and donate the produce to local food banks.
These benches don't really swing, but rather they are suspended and anchored in such a way that you can sorta swivel. nice.
This oasis amidst the city was a sweet find for us. I was amazed by the design, beauty and array of activity for the whole family. It is called Railyard Park it is near the Railyard plaza. 
I am a sucker for a public labyrinth!
This succession of slides are not only eye pleasing but totally fun to play on! When we were there the tunnel was closed.
Upon arriving in Santa Fe we were all hungry and the smell of Fajitas being make fresh on the corner enticed us to find this shady park bench and dig-in. Kids had chicken fajitas, JB had steak and I had a veggie chile relleno and we shared a chicken tamale. It was all great!
We visited the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe - it was beautiful and reverent. We did not take any interior pictures, but if you are interested, they have their own web albums here.
At the Loretto chapel this miraculous staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. While the staircase is a wonder to behold, I found it curious that the chapel is now privately owned for profit?? 
Apparently there is a whole fleet of these R2D2 mail boxes across the country, but this was the 1st we have seen of them. Luke being the Star Wars guy that he is spied this one on the corner of the Plaza in Santa Fe. I looked up the website www.uspsjedimasters.com but it is not live yet. 
This was Luke's 1st time to walk with the Boy Scouts in the 4th of July Parade. He was very excited about it and the day lived up to his expectations. The morning was overcast and not too hot. Luke was the only member of his Den there, but he represented them well. He walked near a family friend who is a leader/member of a different Pack.
Luke found a good friend at the end. They were both sweaty from holding up the flag, but happy to have participated. Here is a bit of the parade. Enjoy!
