Upon arriving in Santa Fe for the first time, we immediately felt a unique warm embracing energy in the air and a quiet calm. It was an early summer evening following a Northern New Mexico monsoon shower, when the air has a unique scent. The next morning we hiked in a nearby Ponderosa forrest with a bright blue sky over-head and finished the day at a performance of the Santa Fe Opera. Santa Fe felt magical with a powerful attraction and possibly just the right place for our our future home.

 

People live in Santa Fe for its stunning high-desert scenery, renowned arts scene, rich culture and nearby outdoor recreation opportunities. Like many others, we were drawn to the region's unique architecture, its indigenous peoples, the peculiarities of a small-town international destination and the magical quality of light and landscape. We appreciate Santa Fe’s distinct seasons, over 300 sunny days a year and the Hispanic, Anglo and Native American multicultural community. An earth energy vortex that some believe promotes healing and greater connections also appeals to us.

 

Since we love the mountains, Santa Fe’s 7,000 ft. elevation in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain foothills adjacent to the 1.6 million acre Santa Fe National Forest is perfect for us. The trail head to 12,632 ft., Santa Fe Baldy and other alpine hikes are only minutes from our house with many other shorter trails even closer. And the fall colors are spectacular. 

 

Santa Fe, New Mexico has a long and fascinating history. Santa Fe's site was originally occupied by a number of Pueblo Indian villages approximately between 1050 to 1150 and then settled in 1609 by the Spanish Empire before Plymouth Colony was settled by the Mayflower Pilgrims. Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the United States and has the oldest public building and oldest community celebration in America. The Santa Fe Plaza has been the heart of downtown and Santa Fe’s central gathering place for 400 years.

 

While Phil was working in Santa Fe, we purchased our house and began constructing our gardens.  We made Santa Fe our new home in 2008.