In early 2008 we took a trip to Santa Fe, NM mostly to see the State Capitol but also to soak up some of the culture of NM. It is a really pretty state. I love the dessert when it’s not 125+. Anyway, we did go see the capitol and found it very interesting. While at the capitol we learned a lot about the Great Seal of New Mexico and the different state flags they have flown through the years.
According to their site the American bald eagle shielding the smaller Mexican eagle within its wings symbolizes New Mexico’s change of sovereignty in 1846. The bald eagle, which represents bravery, skill and strength, clasps three arrows in its talons. The smaller Mexican brown (or harpy) eagle grasps a snake in its beak and cactus in its talons. This portion of the seal is still the official symbol of Mexico It illustrates the ancient myth in which the gods ordered the Aztecs to settle where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a serpent. The date 1912 was added to the seal when New Mexico was admitted as the forty-seventh state. The word “territory” was replaced by “state” in that year.
New Mexico’s current flag is one of many to have flown over the state. In 1925 their flag was was replaced by the Zia flag. The Zia flag is a modern interpretation of an ancient sun design on a late 19th century water jar from Zia Pueblo. The red sun symbol is called a “Zia” and is shown on a field of gold. Red and gold are the colors of Queen Isabella de Castile and represent the colors of old Spain. They even have an official salute to their flag. It is: was replaced by the Zia flag. The Zia flag is a modern interpretation of an ancient sun design on a late 19th century water jar from Zia Pueblo. The red sun symbol is called a “Zia” and is shown on a field of gold. Red and gold are the colors of Queen Isabella de Castile and represent the colors of old Spain. They even have an official salute to their flag. It is: “I salute the flag of the State of New Mexico and the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures.”
As I said before Santa Fe is rich in color and dazzling in the Native American history of the Hopi, Navajo and Pueblo culture. The Southwest presents intriguing red rock formations, 225 million-year-old fossils and the multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert. The ancient Petrified Forest, stretching from New Mexico to Arizona, is just steps from one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World— The Grand Canyon.
While we didn’t go to the Grand Canyon on that trip, we did have a nice time exploring downtown Santa Fe. There was a big event going on in the city center park while we were there and they had a lot of people selling turquoise jewelry and other artifacts. They also had an outside art exhibit with local artist selling their latest works. It was very nice and relaxing just walking around.One of the museums we did explore while in Santa Fe was the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum . It was great representation of her life. According to their website, the museum opened to the public in July 1997, eleven years after the death of the artist from whom it takes its name. Welcoming more than 2,225,000 visitors from all over the world and being the most visited art museum in the state of New Mexico, it is the only museum in the world dedicated to an internationally known American woman artist. The Museum also organizes exhibitions of works by her contemporaries, as well as by living artists of distinction. Over 140 artists other than O’Keeffe have been exhibited at the Museum, such as Arthur Dove, Sherrie Levine, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol.
While we were there, we heard about this wonderful restaurant called Tomasita’s. I have since found out that many locals don’t like this place but tourist love it. I guess I am/was a tourist because I found it pretty good. I can understand what the locals were saying though. We went a couple of times and it was really good one time and the next time we had service that wasn’t so great. I have mixed feelings, but I would go back if I was in the area again. Their sopapillas were great! We even stopped on the way out to get some unstuffed ones for the ride home, Yum
We did a lot of walking around, taking pictures, and relaxing and didn’t do too many museums, etc. However, there are a lot of fun and interesting things to see and do. Here are some of them:
| Santa Fe Southern Railway | Institure of American Indian Arts | Palace of the Governors |
| Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi | New Mexico History Museum | Santa Fe Opera House |
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