Hiking and Other Activities around Santa Fe, NM

I'm so slow at posting.  Sorry.  But here are things we did in or around Santa Fe.

1)  Hiking at Tent Rocks.  Pretty cool hoodoos (huge, bizarre rock formations) and tent looking formations.  Not a bad walk, there is a steep part at the end of the trail and you can choose to go up, or not, but I was glad we did because we were rewarded with really pretty views.  Even if you do not, the formations are still super cool when seen from a lower level.  About an hour plus outside of Santa Fe.

2)  Bandelier National Monument.  Interesting mountains and we could see where the ancient folks used to live and their way of life.  We went during free national park week so there was no entry fee!  Woot!  Lingon insisted on donating $5 though.  About an hour plus outside of Santa Fe.

3)  Los Alamos Science Museum.  I don't really have any pictures, but we went here on the way back from Bandelier National Monument, and you can go here to learn about the creation/discover of nukes.  It was very interesting, considering I knew nothing about that.  To me, more interesting than the nukes themselves was the excitement of the unknown and seeing how people lived.  We had to show photo ID to get into the area, since it was (I think) still somewhat of a military zone.

4)  Taos.  Entrance fee was pretty expensive, I want to say like $20 or so per person.  An area inhabited by Native Americans.  They had really cool adobe houses, and with the mountains in the background, was really cool.  Also seemed an hour plus away or so, aside from seeing the buildings (which were very cool), nothing much to see there, but it was something to do and I'm glad we went.

5)  Downtown Santa Fe.  A bunch of good restaurants.  Old church.  Very small.  Cute.  But don't expect to do too much there.

Apparently, though, George RR Martin (author of the blown up Game of Thrones) has this weird museum/art gallery/theme park thing called House of Eternal Return.  Maybe if you have a spare day?

6)  Art galleries in Santa Fe on Canyon Road.  We took a walk down the road, lots of really cool outdoors art and probably very cool indoor stuff too, but I'm not super into art so we never really went in or tried to buy anything haha!  Enjoyed the walk though!

We spend 3 nights in Santa Fe and thoroughly enjoyed it!  Hope you do too!

The Great American Summer Adventure Part 2 - Grand Teton National Park

Hello and welcome to part 2 of Lingon and Mushroom's great American summer adventure.  We did Grand Teton over 2 calendar days.  We tried to knock out most of the stuff in the lower part of the park on the first day, and pretty much succeeded.  We did not do it in the most efficient manner, but thankfully that did not cost us more than 30 mins of driving time, but it still annoyed me.

The smart thing I should have done was to start with Mormon Row, since it was by itself on Antelope Flats Road to the east of the main highway.   Mormon Row was kind of interesting.  I suppose early Mormons settled here, and the remnants of their buildings and settlements remained.  Apparently this is the most photographed barn in the world, by TR Moulton, who may have been the first settler here.

Then we should have headed to Schwabachers Landing off the main highway.  The photos I saw online were much prettier than mine. This is basically a spot with a river meandering through, and there is the lower and upper landing.

Going back in the opposite direction leaving the park and re-enterint at a different entrance on Teton Park Road, the Chapel of the Transfiguration was probably the most special thing to me in this park.  A mere log building, the setting of the chapel, with the Tetons in the background, was simple yet magnificent, with a large glass window framing the mountains.  Imagine going to service, sitting there, listening to the word, and looking out at one of the marvels of the world.

After that to Jenny Lake.  I got it in my head that Inspiration Point was a thing to do, but since we did not want to hike around the lake, we paid $15 each for a round trip boat ride to the landing across the water.  $15 well spent, though I maintain it is very pricey.  There were 2 hikes to do here, Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.  Normally one can get to/from each place, but the park was doing some work so we had to loop back to the boat landing area to the other point.  Nice views from Inspiration Point, but by the time we got to the falls I think we were both quite tired and ready for dinner.  My GPS said 3.36 miles for both hikes.

This concluded our first half day in the park.

On the second day, we headed up the main freeway, US-26,

We first went to Oxbow Bend, which is part of the Snake River.  I read there would be animals, but no such luck.  Still very pretty with the reflection of the Tetons in the river.  By the way, there is some really high quality beef from somewhere called Snake River Farms, which I presume is in Idaho.  We first heard of it at Wakuriya, a Japanese restaurant in San Mateo in the Bay Area, and our post on that restaurant is here.

Then we stopped at the Jackson Lake Dam.

Finally, we drove up Signal Mountain and Colter Bay, but by this time we were Teton'd out, so I did not take any photos worth sharing.

We tried to go to Leeks Pizzeria, and thought it was part of the Signal Mountain Lodge, but when we got to the lodge this thing did not exist.  Just as well, since we got there way before it was supposed to open.  It had really good reviews, so I must admit I was a bit bummed.  A little later on, we saw a sign that said "pizzeria", and lo and behold we found Leeks Pizzeria, though not at all at Signal Mountain Lodge.  It had some nice pizzas, menu here, definitely a nice option in the park, and I was glad that we found it.  We got a small BBQ chicken pizza for maybe $15, and enjoyed that very much.

I had some great expectations for Grand Teton National Park, and I'm glad it lived up to my expectations.  The only thing we did not get to do was Phelps Lake, but we ran out of the time the first day, and then I was too lazy after.  Gotta save something for next time.

See here for part 1 of this trip in Jackson, WY, and part 3 in Yellowstone National Park.

Dipsea Trail from the Pan Toll Ranger Station to Stinson Beach (and Back)

I don't remember the last time Lingon and I went hiking.  I think it has to be Machu Picchu back in August.  Anyway, I sort of quit (but not really) working out, but I do love hiking and wanted to spend some time in the lovely outdoors, so I found this hike from Refinery 29 with brunch spots (food is always a good enticer!) and Lingon agreed to go with me!  I chose a day that sky was supposed to be clear and sunny, and clear and sunny it was!  Freezing cold, but walking briskly helped a little bit.

We set off from SF, drove about an hour, parked at the Pan Toll Ranger Station for $8, and then started our hike downhill to Stinson Beach.  I started my Runkeeper a bit late, but here is the tracking stats down.  Really was not too bad.  The ground was for the most part firm and not dusty, a few puddles and muddy spots, and there was maybe a 15-min section of perpetual stairs.

The views that greeted us were amazing.  We could see downtown San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge peeking out from in between two hills.  The water was shimmering as the sun rose higher and higher in the sky.  Oh, what a sight!  I love the bay area!

We also encountered this cool tree which Lingon pointed out to me, as often I'm so focused on the destination that I forget to look at nature around me.

When we reached the town, we went to Parkside Cafe for brunch.  The website recommended the shrimp scramble and raisin French toast, so I got those both.  Lingon got the fish tacos.  The food had a Mexican flair to it, but everything was very fresh and delicious.  I highly recommend Parkside Cafe.  There is also a take out pizza place, and a bakery with all kinds of breads and pastries, if you do not want to sit down and have a full meal.

Then, we made out way to the beach.  I don't like beaches, but I felt I had to just go for a walk.  Of course sand got in my shoes boohoo, but I took it like a big person and shook it out.

The hike back was a bit more tiring as expected, but it was nice to get warm again.

Loved this trail, if you like hiking and want something not too strenuous, this is for you!