Taos

The food in Taos was incredible. Whether it was a traditional New Mexican joint where green and red chiles are the highlights or a new place -- the food was great. We stayed one night at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House, a legendary spot once owned by Dennis Hopper. After a lovely dinner at the Taos Inn, we engaged in a family pedicure.

Sante Fe

We spent Sunday and Monday nights at the Inn of the Governors, which was fine. But the place to stay in Sante Fe -- well, just outside of Sante Fe -- is 10,000 Waves. It is a Japanese-style spa in the hills above Sante Fe. Hot water. Lots of hot water. Serene setting. Beautiful cabin. We grilled steak and vegetables. More hot water. Very relaxing. Next stop: Taos.

Monday, March 26

Bandelier National Monument. Nearly perfect day. Lots of sun. Fabulous ruins. Excellent dinner. Tomorrow we shop Sante Fe and an afternoon and night at a spa, 10,000 Waves.

Sunday, March 25

The highlight of our first day in New Mexico was eating dinner in a "restaurant" in the back of a bowling alley a few miles north of Albuquerque in a strip mall. Ezra's. It was great. Scallop tacos. Crimini mushroom enchiladas. Salmon with tomatillo sauce. Plus, the Unusual Suspects -- three older guys and a teen-age boy -- playing unrecognizable covers at half speed. Then we went bowling. Disco bowling. Shara killed us, throwing three strikes and a bushel of spares. We headed back to our motel on Route 66.

Sunday we found an equally good breakfast joint near Ezra's and, it turns out, owned by the same people. Very good start to the trip. We hit a fruit market before spending the day touring Jemez Pueblo and Jemez Falls. I'll let Shara add details. We made it to our hotel in Sante Fe and hit the pool. Please note that Lulu's oldest stuffed animal, Orca, made the journey.