A taste of the Santa Fe miracle mile of art galleries.

I could have spent a lot of money here. If I had a lot of money that is. So many things to inspire, take your breath away, and because Mastercard is accepted everywhere here, leave you bankrupt. How's that for priceless.

The Trip Home.

Leaving Santa Fe, the scenery became quite dramatic. I'd picked my father up in Albequrque earlier that morning, did the Santa Fe quick tour and then we hit the open road. The next bizillion pictures are sort of a record of that journey. Whatever struck our fancy, deserved a click of the shutter.

I think we in the west take for granted the notion of ultimate road trips. Or at least we did, until fuel shot up over $5 bucks a gallon.

Near Georgia O' Keefe's famed "Ghost Ranch".

Near the NM/CO state line.

Colorado, birthplace of my step grandfather Orin Lopeman. This shot was taken between Durango and Pagosa Springs.

When I was a kid I was addicted to C W McCall. On the album Black Bear Road, C W McCall had a song about the Silverton Train. It was my second favorite track on the album. My favorite? Convoy. Duh.

C W McCall was actually a group of studio musicians. They became the group most of you know as Mannheim Steamroller. Sadly, the group is also a favorite of Rush Limbaugh.

Downtown Durango, Colorado

Climbing out of Durango, Colorado

Looking toward Shiprock NM (that spire in about the center of the picture), from the Ute Nation, Colorado.

One native American warned us that the snakes had been coming into the booths. She suggested to keep our eyes open, and turned to find her two year old had disappeared out of her booth. Dad decided he'd pose in the open country, just to have a good lead on any rattlesnakes that happened to be on the prowl for a retired Lutheran Minister. Recently, Rattlesnake venom has become more powerful, and fatalities from snake bit are on the rise.

We saw several rattlesnakes. Mostly on the blacktop.

A guide to where the stones come from. Two examples of the artistry of the artist, the selection of stones he used, and the origin of each gem. Amex, Mastercard, and Visa not found in any of these mines. :)