Searching for Val Kilmer (Pecos)

I found an actual Benedictine Monastary not far from Monastary Lake and people catching fish in the Pecos River (the same river that runs across Mr. Kilmer's ranch).

Searching for Val Kilmer (Pecos)

I also found a place that sells yurts (in case he needs one). Actually I read that he had an architect design an impressive tree house for him on his ranch so I'm guessing that he won't need a yurt.

Searching for Val Kilmer (Pecos)

I met several of the locals in one of the ancient general stores and over dinner at Riveras (excellent carnitos and service), but lost the nerve to ask about Mr. Kilmer, given what I heard from the stranger in Galesteo.

Searching for Val Kilmer (Pecos)

The highlight of the Pecos trip had to be the Pecos National Historic Park with the remnants of a 600 year old Pueblo. It was originally a quadrangle of more than 600 rooms, 4-5 stories high, that housed a village of about 2,000 people. It is an archeological goldmine with much of the foundation of the Pueblo and large portions of the churches built by the invading Spaniards in 1625 and later replaced in 1717. The ruins are at the top of a 7,000 ft mountain that is windswept and eerily quiet. The few tourists there with me didn't speak the entire time we were there. The place commands reverence.

Searching for Val Kilmer (Back in Santa Fe)

What began as an excuse for an adventure now turned into a computer search project. I needed some proof that Val Kilmer actually lived in Pecos, just so that I could let it go. I found that not only does he live there, you can actually go fishing on his ranch (for a fee of course). There is a website advertising the trip ( www.thepecosriverranch.com) as well as DIRECTIONS TO VAL KILMER'S RANCH!
The computer search painted Mr. Kilmer in a different light than the older tabloid picture of an eccentric but talented actor. Through his work with the New Mexico Film Investment Program, he is credited with increasing state revenues from movie making in New Mexico 40 fold, from $3 million in 2002 to $117 million in 2006. If you have seen a western, it was probably made in New Mexico, (e.g., 3:10 to Yuma, The Missing, Young Guns, Lonesome Dove, City Slickers, Brokeback Mountain, and the TV series Gunsmoke among others). The list is over 4 pages long and as I write, The Book of Eli is about to be filmed with potential Denzel Washington sightings in town.
With the search for Val Kilmer ended, it is time to think seriously about skiing at Ski Santa Fe. Until then, Happy Trails from Ramblin Me.

Canyon Road

One of the galleries gets very creative with ice cycles

Canyon Road

Christmas decorations were everywhere. One of the best times to visit the galleries is Christmastime at night, when everything is outlined in lights.

Canyon Road

One of the artists took advantage of the warmer weather to catch some sun while greeting visitors to his gallery.

Canyon Road

Walking down the road, every alleyway was an entry to another world of art.

Canyon Road

Even the sculptures seemed to enjoy this balmy (45 degree) day.

Canyon Road

The snow seems like a natural backdrop.

Canyon Road

I did a doubletake when I saw a real puppy taking in the sites.

Canyon Road

Bears enjoying a joke, despite all the snow.

Canyon Road

Much of the art is whimsical.

Canyon Road

Gigantic bronze pieces can be seen everywhere.

Canyon Road

You don't even have to enter the galleries to see the incredible variety of art along this 2 mile road.

Canyon Road

The few artists who originally settled in the Canyon road area proved to be a magnet for their friends and soon the area became a colony of creativity.

Canyon Road

A few artists who came to Santa Fe for health reasons discovered the Canyon Road area and began building homes and studios for themselves in the typical adobe style.

Canyon Road

Originally Canyon Road was a path that the townspeople used to travel up the mountain to get firewood. It followed a stream bed from the mountain.

Canyon Road

Over 100 galleries and studios line the 2 mile road that also has some of the best restaurants in the city.

Canyon Road; The Art and Soul of Santa Fe

On one of those rare days between snows when the temperature went up to a balmy 46, I travelled to the Santa Fe street that is the center of art for the city; Canyon Road.

Skiers Paradise in New Mexico

Another morning waking up to falling snow made me wonder if this much snow is typical of Santa Fe. The morning paper answered my question. To date, we have had the most snow recorded in the last 120 years. Taos had 90 inches of snow in December. Time to grab your skis and visit!

Feliz Navidad! from Santa Fe, NM

It's Christmas Eve Day and after 3 solid days of being snowbound it was critical to finally get out and shop for food. For the first time ever, shopping for presents was finished early, so now it was just a matter of survival; the basics, like chocolate, ice cream, chardonnay, and cat food.
The first task of the morning was weighting down the back of my little car with 100 lbs of rock salt. Even with my new studded tires, the car is so light that it needs extra weight to get traction in the snow. And then off to my new local favorite restaurant - Los Amigos, for breakfast.
From the outside the restaurant looks like a dive, but inside is all understated elegance mixed with neighborhood charm, a kiva (corner) fireplace, and local art. The food is excellent and the ambience is warm and welcoming. The clientelle is even better. This morning two very real cowboys sat at the table next to me and I got a Christmas wink when they finally left. I really have to be braver about asking if I can take people's pictures because there is so much real character here. There is a reason Santa Fe calls itself the "city different."
With grocery shopping done, BB King's "Merry Christmas Baby," playing on the stereo, and a sip of Southern Comfort to inspire, I send warm holiday wishes to friends that I have been fortunate to meet from all over the world. In every language possible, I wish us all peace and goodwill.
Warm Regards from Ramblin Me.

Holiday Memories of Friends

Multiple decades ago I visited Scotland while on a business trip to England. I was staying in beautiful Edinburgh when I saw a sign advertising a music festival at the Firth of Forth (Sp?). I blindly took a cab to the festival not realizing that (1) no cab would ever come to the festival to pick me up and (2) the temperature would drop 40 degrees while I was at the festival. An incredible family instantly adopted the bumbling tourist from America and made sure that I was warm, fed, imbibed, and transported post festival back to my hotel. They were the kindest people I have ever met and I immediately felt like a welcome part of their family. Every Christmas since meeting them, I have received a Christmas card from Isobel and Jim letting me know how they and their family are doing. I keep telling them that they should be getting a commision from the Scottish tourism Council because they are living proof of the welcoming hospitality of Scotland.
As I gaze out at my snow covered driveway here in Santa Fe, I wish you all warm memories of good friends during this holiday season.