We checked into Isleta Lakes RV Park for a week.
It is just a few minutes south of Albuquerque.
There are two lakes on one side of the RV Park and a rolling green golf course on the other.
The Lakes are a perfect place for an afternoon stroll.
There are quite a few geese and ducks. Must not be time to fly south yet. The fish were jumping. You can pay and fish if you want.
We have spent a relaxing couple of days staying pretty close to Gypsy. It was time for some down time.
Pretty and relaxing.
But the lure of the road (or the track) called us. Very close to the RV Park is a stop for the commuter train that runs to Santa Fe. Some who stay here complain about the whistle blowing and the train rumbling by but it doesn't wake us up and when it goes by while we are awake we like the sounds. Reminds me of days gone by.
I had wanted to do the Cumbres and Toltec Train Ride out of Chama while we were in northern New Mexico but their season ended Oct. 19th so we didn't make it this year. So we got up early and took the Rail Runner from Isleta to Santa Fe. You can never have too many trips to Santa Fe. We sat in the upper level so we had the best views. The train is so nice. The people who commute for work can start their work day on the train. Tables, power outlets, and wifi are all provided.
Bright and cheerful. ( I was lucky to get this shot before people started boarding). A super alternative to driving. Multiple stops along the way with commuter bus connection (at no extra fee) to get directly where you need to go. The round trip for both of us was $14. If we had purchased online prior it would have only been $12. What a bargain.
Nice views out our window.
In 2 hours we were in Santa Fe. We went to the Flying Star Cafe for breakfast. We shared a huge breakfast burrito.
We planned on taking the 4:15 train back to Isleta so we had 6 hours to wander around Santa Fe. We retraced some routes and tried some new ones.
Perfect fall day. Crisp but not cold.
The Plaza was practically empty. We found a bench in the sun and watched a little bit of the world go by.
Looks like they are waiting for something.
Nice to see someone holding down my dream job. As soon as she stepped into the Plaza the birds all flocked around her. They were very impatient until she got out the bag of food and started tossing it out. She must come very frequently because they sure recognize her.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi was built between 1869 and 1886. Before reading about it I was bothered by the unfinished look of the towers. The towers were originally planned to be topped with dramatic 160-foot steeples but due to lack of funds they were never built. The left tower is a single row of bricks taller than the right tower. Curious why after 228 years no one has taken on the project of having them completed.
So many details to see.
Time for another delicious pizza and salad at Upper Crust. End of season bargains on clothes, art and jewelry. So many things to dazzle our eyes.
Ooooh, a marquise diamond with opal (my birthstone) inlay. Wouldn't that be a wonderful souvenier of Santa Fe?
San Miguel Church is the oldest church structure in the U.S. The original adobe walls and altar were built by the Tlaxcalan Indians from Mexico under the direction of Franciscan Padres around 1610.
Back to board the return train. The sun was still good for another hour of splendor viewing the landscape. Another enjoyable day!
Thoughts courtesy of Tinkertown Museum.