Santa Fe, NM

When you exit I-25 at Canoncito, before heading to Santa Fe, go right to see the Senora de la Luz Church. This still-used catholic mission built in the 1880's has a haunting look, especially because of the hillside cemetery with graves marked only by wooden crosses. Ansel Adams photographed this church and it is a favorite of local artists.

After viewing the Church, turn around and head through Apache Canyon for the 10 mile ride into Santa Fe. On the way you will pass Bobcat Bite and Harry's Roadhouse, both big local biker destinations.

The Palace of the Governors on the Plaza is an adobe structure built in about 1610 to serve as Spain's seat of government in the southwest. It is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States. Lew Wallace wrote parts of Ben Hur there while he was territorial governor.

Loretto Chapel at 207 Old Santa Fe Trail with its Miraculous Staircase was built in 1878 by an unidentified carpenter who showed up with a tool box and a donkey. The Chapel had no staircase to access the choir loft. The carpenter figured out a way to build a circular staircase that solved the problem. Tradition has it that the unknown carpenter was St Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters.

The Chapel of San Miguel por Barrio de Analco is the oldest continuously operated church in the United States.

The Mission of San Miguel of Santa Fe has a bell from 1356.

The oldest house in the United States, dating from 1200, is at 201 E De Vargas St.

Evangelo's two blocks off the Plaza has cold beer, live music and good prices.

The Shed just off the Plaza is a fun spot that has been around forever. Its southwestern Mexican food is as good as you will get anywhere.

I usually stay at La Fonda at 100 E San Francisco. It is one of the oldest and best hotels in Santa Fe and has shops, a good bar and several restaurants.

The El Rey Inn opened in 1936 when Route 66 still passed through Santa Fe. It originally had 12 rooms. It now has 86 rooms. The El Rey has been under the same management since 1973 and it must be a labor of love, because this is a wonderful place.

The original alignment of Route 66 through Santa Fe followed the severely winding La Bajada Hill. It was so steep that cars driving up sometimes had to go in reverse so that gas could feed into their gravity fueled engines. It currently is a dirt road that is passable only using four wheel drive vehicles, and even then it is dangerous. Also, it is on an Indian Reservation, so permission is needed for access whether you decide to ride or hike it.

To get to the bottom of the Hill, get off of I-25 at Exit 264, go right and follow Hwy 16 for 2.8 miles. Turn right on Tetilla Peak Rd and go one mile. Go right on Old Route 66. Go 1.5 miles and cross the 1928 Santa Fe River Bridge to the base of the Hill.

To get to the top of the Hill follow Cerrillos Rd out of Santa Fe. Go left on Airport Rd/Hwy 284. Go straight across onto Hwy 56 at the Junction with Veterans Memorial Hwy/Hwy 599. Go 3.3 miles and take a sharp right onto CR 56C. Go straight for about six miles on the dirt road to the top of the Hill.