Camping in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and visit to the city of Santa Fe

Our campsite in Hyde Memorial State Park near Santa Fe, New Mexico - License our images here.        

We camped in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Hyde Memorial State Park. Elevation range: 8,300-9,400 feet (2,500-2,800 meters). The primitive campground is in a forest of pines and close to the paved road that goes through the park. A small creek crosses the camp. Nights were cold up here - it's November.

The park has the East Circle and West Circle trails. On the west side, the trail climbs higher on the mountain. A trail called Piggyback interconnect the other trails. 

C in a trail of Hyde Memorial State Park close to the sunset.          

Santa Fe

Less than ten miles away and a few thousand feet under our campground was Santa Fe, the old city of New Mexico and the highest state capital of the United States at 7,000 feet over sea level. This place was the end of the famous Santa Fe Trail. 

Museum of Native American Art, Santa Fe Art Museum, and a movie theater in adobe style. 

The earth tones of adobe buildings are everywhere. The center of the city was busy, and we noticed that many folks go to the small park to enjoy the morning sun. Tourists were plenty.

The porch of the Palace of the Governors of Santa Fe.          

On the northern side of the Plaza, we stopped by the Palace of the Governors. Built in 1618, this is the oldest government building used without interruption in the US. We couldn't enter because was closed for repairs. But under the porch, there was a Native American market selling traditional jewelry and arts and crafts from local artists. We bought a colorful blanket - always feels nice to support the local communities. 

Exhibit in the New Mexico History Museum. 

In the neighboring New Mexico History Museum, we got a glimpse of the rich past of this state. Later, we passed by the New Mexico Museum of Art - just across the street - and headed to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. This interesting building was finished in 1886. Before, there was an older adobe church on this site called La Parroquia - the parish. 

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and interior with the virgin La Conquistadora.         

Inside the church is the wooden statue of La Conquistadora, the first Madonna brought to the US. 

Next stop was the Loretto Chapel from 1878. Sadly, we couldn't enter to see the "Miraculous stair". There was a private event. 

We couldn't visit the interior of the Loretto Chapel.

We found some people were performing a Native American ceremony in the old San Miguel Mission.

The old San Miguel Mission, a small Catholic church.         

This is the oldest church in the United States. Built in 1610, it was rebuilt after the damages caused by the Pueblo Revolt - the only successful uprising of American Indians against the Spanish conquerors. This rebellion killed four hundred Spaniards, but the Spanish crown reconquered the region later. 

Santa Fe is an interesting city with a long history. Check a short video from this trip.