As of the time I bought my tickets, one-way fare from Flagstaff to Albuquerque on Amtrak [coach class] was $62, and one-way fare from Albuquerque to Santa Fe on the Rail Runner commuter train was $9. $142 round-trip? Not too shabby for comfy seats, plus access to a lounge car and a dining car. However, it ended up being more complex than that: more on that later.
My weather timing was good: I arrived in Albuquerque just as the rains had left, and the same was true with Santa Fe.
I did have a long layover in Albuquerque, so I ate lunch at Tucanos Brazilian Grill nearby [mmm-mmm great!], and went in search of museums to visit. While there are three museums within easy walking distance of the train station, only one was actually open this day:
It was interesting, I learned a few new things, and I recommend it to anyone who's in the neighborhood. It's pretty small and low-budget, though, and not really worth an outright pilgrimage.
There's a Motel 6 right near the Santa Fe train station, which is where I spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. It's an easy walk from the downtown Historic District, and there are several restaurants nearby, including Tomasita's, BOXCAR, and Saveur Bistro, all three of which I thoroughly approve.
One thing I quickly found about Santa Fe: you can hardly spit without hitting an art gallery. Jerome, Cottonwood, Bisbee, Tubac, and Sedona combined can barely match it. Tons of restaurants as well. Nonetheless, the Historic District, just off the traffic-laden main roads, really does seem almost idyllic, and is quite friendly to pedestrians. Here is the central Santa Fe Plaza:
The one museum I really wanted to visit more than any other is the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum:
Here's the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum Research Center (and garden):
New Mexico History Museum and Palace of the Governors. While the Palace of the Governors was currently closed for renovation work, this afternoon it would be open for visitors (more on that later).
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi:
Loretto Chapel:
Famous self-supporting spiral staircase:
Art gallery nearby:
San Miguel Mission:
Oldest House Museum:
Back to the Palace of the Governors:
Yet another art gallery that caught my eye:
There's a free shuttle service called the Santa Fe Pickup: one route goes through the Historic District, and the other heads out to Museum Hill, which would be my destination today.
My first stop was at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, which features an extensive collection of jewelry and related art:
Then, I wandered over to the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, which hosts a mix of historic and contemporary Latino art:
Not to mention a fascinating Mexican colonial house:
Along the walking trail between museums:
Museum Hill Cafe:
Sculpture near the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture [which I didn't visit -- I hope to go there another time].
Museum of International Folk Art -- this was very nearly my favorite museum:
Bus stop while I wait for the shuttle. Note the sculpture and mountains in the distance.
Santa Fe Trail sculpture:
State Capitol building:
Back at the Railyard. Here's one of the Rail Runner trains:
Passenger car from the Santa Fe Southern Railroad, which is currently defunct, but sometimes makes a comeback:
This is my favorite mural that I saw this trip:
However, that's not the whole story. I was to take the morning Rail Runner back to Albuquerque, and hence via Amtrak to Flagstaff. In reality, I got my times mixed up and missed the morning Rail Runner. Next, I attempted to book the shuttle to Lamy and catch the Amtrak there. However, the shuttle didn't make it on time, and I ended up taking the afternoon Rail Runner to Albuquerque, staying at a hotel near the train station, and returning to Flagstaff via Amtrak on Sunday.
Which is why it took longer than usual for me to get my act together and my pictures online.