I am surprised to see that it is over a year since I checked off a song-city. Arrived in Santa Fe on Wednesday for a thirty day deployment. It is very different from anywhere else I have been on the journey so far. And I am more than a little surprised at the climate – low 30’s F in the morning, then up to high 60’s F in the afternoon. It snowed on Friday. At about 7,200 feet elevation, it is taking me a bit to get acclimated.
To read about water in the West causes one concern. To be a little closer to the issue emphasizes the severity. I am here supporting recovery from wild fires that happened a year ago. The fires were a problem. The ensuing mud slides and debris flows were a problem. Together they had a significant impact on drinking and agricultural water availability. I am learning about acequias, community owned and managed surface irrigation systems, many of which became clogged, or blocked, by debris. The Guardian article below is long, but provides good insight into how integral the acequias are to subsistence farming.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/12/new-mexico-races-to-save-acequia
It seems names are relative depending on scarcity. This is the Santa Fe River. Maybe rising to a brook in more hydrated areas?
I was thinking about how much Janelle would have enjoyed the change in scenery; the terrain, the weather, the arts and crafts, and the food. She would have loved having to choose “red or green” chile when ordering so many New Mexican dishes. I certainly don’t have her gift for picking great bars, but I did my best for her at lunch today. Out door seating, live music, local food, and a good beer list.
The Journey 
I was in Sante Fe for one night last December. Went out to see a band I like. I love that part of the country and the food in New Mexico is the best! Love the red and green chili sauces they put on everything. I had the most wonderful breakfast at a little restaurant in the center of Town – I think it was called Cafe Pasqual’s. If you have a chance go to San Marcos Cafe & Feed for breakfast or lunch — awesome food, but it is a bit out of town. Alex and I found this place a couple of years ago when we were in Sante Fe. A restaurant and feed store — how can you go wrong! Temperatures in early December were the same as you are now experiencing — winter coat in the morning and t-shirt once the sun warmed things up!
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The food here is awesome. I too love the red and green. I walked by Cafe Pasqual’s on Saturday and thought about trying it some time – you just confirmed it. I looked up San Marcos Cafe and Feed – sadly they aren’t open on weekends, or evenings, so that probably isn’t going to work out.
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