I am off in less than 48 hours - just want to say . . .

Thanks for helping me put together this great list of things to see, do, eat and purchase while in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Have enjoyed your company also. Will be sure to do a trip report on your Land of Enchantment. Happy Trails.

Food Items to Purchase

Jars of red or green chili. - Strengths from mild to extra hot. - Coronado Mall in Albuquerque has a Chili shop, and has a good selection of items.

Couple jars of chile salsa (505 is my favorite local brand)

A ';nut'; assortment would also be a good souvenir, or gift

Pinon coffee

Stahmann%26#39;s Farm in La Mesa (near Las Cruces) has some terrific products, so if you see them on your journey don%26#39;t hesitate to buy them

Pinon nuts

Small bag of Atole (blue corn meal) to go with your red chili powder.

Chipotle chile in adobo sauce

Must See / Do

Albuquerque

Petroglyph Nat. Monument

Sandia Tram

Turquoise Trail from Santa Fe

Winery to go to in Albuquerque - Casa Rondena winery -The winery is located on Chavez Road, west of 4th street and Osuna, cut through the shopping center. This will make sense if you go there.

Santa Fe

Bandelier National Monument

Friday nights in town are always filled with new artist openings and receptions and the Georgia O%26#39;keeffe Museum is free from 5-8pm as is the Fine Arts Museum.

A stroll on Canyon Road with its hundreds of galleries is nice any time of the day or on Friday night also.

St Francis Cathedral

Pecos Nat Monument

The Loretto Chapel

Visit the Plaza area, including the Palace of the Governors Museum. Many other museums in town as well. Walk up Canyon Road to view art. Drive up toward the ski basin, beautiful views. Enjoy some Northern New Mexican food at one of our great restaurants.

Shidoni Foundry in Tesuque

Places to Eat

Santa Fe

BobCat Bite 鈥?Best Burgers

Torino鈥檚 @ Home Bistro %26amp; Deli 鈥?Chicken Parm / Italian

Harry鈥檚 Roadhouse

Josh%26#39;s BBQ

Rio Chama or Bull Ring

Maria%26#39;s New Mexican Restaurant has great Margaritas.

Albuquerque

Sandiegos 鈥?bottom of Sandia Peak Tram

Drives

Standard Diner is one of our favorites on Central,

The Grove, for a nice brunch/lunch.

Drives to do:

There are two areas of Petroglyph National Park...the ';south'; area has more petroglyphs,that are easy to see. You might want to take in Acoma, the ';Sky City,'; atop it%26#39;s mesa just south of I-40, an hour west of Albuquerque...the oldest, continuously inhabited village in the U.S.

Leave I-40 at Grants, and drive past the El Malpais lava flows, El Morro, and on to Zuni Pueblo. Backtrack seven or eight miles, and drive north to Gallup on NM-602. This is a very scenic side-trip.

If we go to Taos

Have to miss since it鈥檚 not open yet-Taos Pueblo which should be opening back up March 23

Places to eat:

Graham%26#39;s Grill and Dragonfly Cafe.

I am off in less than 48 hours - just want to say . . .

You have so much on your list... have a great trip.

Also look at chile powders in small bags. All kinds from mild to wild! They all are available at large grocery stores in the area. (Smith%26#39;s, Albertsons)

Winery toward Taos in Dixon is La Chiripada. I like their wine! www.lachiripada.com

Santa Fe state museums and all state parks throughout the state are closed on Mondays!

Shidoni Foundry in Tesuque is great fun. I keep forgetting about it! I think I%26#39;ll head up there during Spring Break!

A fun shopping place in Santa Fe is Jackalope! On Cerrillos Road...lots of interesting items! Plus a few prairie dogs!

I am off in less than 48 hours - just want to say . . .

I think you%26#39;ve about got it covered. We thank you for your thanks. Your trip experiences will be eagerly awaited.

After reading your list, I need to go take a nap!!

Have a great trip!!

Let us know how it goes on your visit, you got a lot on your agenda.