Soul of New Mexico
Our Thanksgiving Ristras, Ruins, and Cacao Loop
Forget the generic turkey dinner; for Thanksgiving this year, we packed up the family and our trusted companion, Ziggy, and traced a vibrant, ancient loop through New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment. Our mission: to experience the real soulof the Southwest—from high desert ruins to the deepest, ritual cacao.
Here is the exact itinerary we followed, a curated journey connecting the old ways with the new.
Our Itinerary!
Stepping into the Deep Past (Pecos to Bandelier)
01 - The Ruins of Pecos National Historical Park
We began our loop just east of Santa Fe, exploring the massive, multi-tiered adobe ruins of Pecos. The family—and Ziggy, who absolutely loved the high desert air—hiked through the remnants of the powerful Pecos Pueblo. Walking the ground where ancient trade routes converged was an awe-inspiring way to ground ourselves for the trip ahead.
02 -Ancient Cities at Bandelier National Monument
Our next deep dive was Bandelier. We arrived over Thanksgiving, and the park was peaceful and nearly empty. We spent a long morning on the Pueblo Loop Trail, climbing the famous towering wooden ladders to peer into ancient cave dwellings. We were captivated by the detailed Bandelier petroglyphs (cave drawings), connecting us directly to the Native People who called these canyons home.
Part 2: Old Santa Fe and the Railyard Rhythms
Ritual Cacao at Kakawa Chocolate House
Moving into Santa Fe, our first stop was mandatory and ritualistic: Kakawa Chocolate House Forget basic hot chocolate; this is where you experience ancient Mesoamerican and historic European cacao elixirs. We treated ourselves to their old, spicy, ritual cacao drinks—a dense, potent flavor that is an absolute must-try staple for the area.
The Santa Fe Railyard & Haitian Drummers
We dedicated a morning to the Santa Fe Railyard What we thought would be a simple walk around the art market became a highlight when we caught an incredible, high-energy dance session led by a group of masterful Haitian drummers. The energy in the Railyard, with its blend of food, art, and music, is undeniable.
Deep Culture and a State Staple
(Santa Fe to Albuquerque)
The Historic Old Santa Fe Trail & A Chili Ristra Staple
We spent hours wandering Old Santa Fe, exploring the cool outdoor squares and doing some essential shopping. A primary target: the massive, dried chili ristras that decorate the city. The vibrant red clusters are a defining image of New Mexico, and we couldn't resist buying some direct from local vendors.
San Miguel Church (1610): The Oldest Structure
While on the Old Santa Fe Trail, we made a pilgrimage to the soul of the city: San Miguel Church. This isn't just a church; it is arguably the oldest structure in the United States, with its original adobe walls built around 1610. Stepping inside is like stepping out of time, a serene connection to four centuries of history.
Breakfast at Frontier Restaurant (Albuquerque)
Next morning, we made the quick trip to Albuquerque to hit a true local legend: Frontier Restaurant This is a massive, high-energy staple of the area, known for its fast service and classic food. Getting breakfast with the Frontier's iconic sign and cowboy mural as our backdrop was the perfect Albuquerque experience.
Frontier Restaurant
Where Art and Sand Dunes Collide
Dance, Art, and Hip Hop at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Back in Santa Fe, we immersed ourselves in living culture at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. We timing was perfect to witness a moving traditional dance ceremony, followed by exploring their Christmas market where we bought incredible artisan goods directly from Pueblo artists. Most fascinating was learning how ancient art techniques are evolving today, seeing the incredible blend with new hip-hop graffiti art culture created by younger generations.
A Magical, Cold Finish at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Leaving Santa Fe, we set our sights on the final detour before heading home to Colorado. The decision to stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve was pure magic. It was freezing cold, but we braved the temperature to hike the towering, surreal dunes. Ziggy had the time of his life running full speed up and down the massive sandy peaks. Experiencing the snowy peaks of the Sangre de Cristo mountains backdrop against the vast sand was the perfect, magical end to an unforgettable loop trip through
