Roaming Boomers Log – Santa Fe and Taos Adventure – Day #2.

Today we determined to spend a fair amount of the day enjoying the amenities of the Encantado Resort.

After doing some writing, some on-line research, and breakfast in our room, we donned our work-out clothes and headed for the spa complex.

We both spent 45 minutes running nearly 4 miles on the Precor elliptical machines (which provided us with a beautiful vista of the Rio Grande Valley), and then went into our respective spa areas.

I love to steam after my workout, so that is the first place I headed.

Off with my sweaty workout clothing, into the comfy robe, and outside to the private men’s relaxation area, which consisted of 6 reclining lounge chairs, a bubbling jet tub, and another doorway into the steam room.

As this is the shoulder season for Santa Fe, I was able to enjoy the steam bath all to myself.  After 20 minutes of steaming, and now somewhat resembling a cooked lobster, I headed for the showers to clean up for the day ahead.

What a wonderful way to start the day.

Next, we climbed into the car, made the short drive back into Santa Fe, and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at The Plaza Cafe.  The Plaza Cafe is a Santa Fe landmark that has been here since 1905.  Here you can enjoy burgers, sandwiches, and typical diner fare, but I recommend the authentic Mexican cuisine prepared by the proprietors:  Andy and Don Razatos.

Now that we had calmed the rumbling of our hungry stomachs, we make the short walk over to the Georgia O’Keefe Museum.

This small museum contains a wonderful collection of O’Keefe’s paintings, offered three short videos describing her life and art, and presents a wonderful homage to this famous hometown artist.

It’s now nearly 5:30, and time for our reservations at Restaurant Martín.  We like to use the James Beard Awards as our guideposts to restaurants, and Chef Martín Rios has just earned himself a semi-finalist spot in the best new restaurant category.

Carol greatly enjoyed a pork rib chop, and I feasted on a wonderful piece of fresh Halibut.  We highly recommend a visit to Restaurant Martín!

After our wonderful dinner, we traipsed back to Encantado Resort, and enjoyed a nice Pinot Noir as we watched the sun set from the resort’s lounge.  We then headed back to our casita to enjoy a wood burning fire as we watched the remains of the sunset flow into darkeness with distant coyotes howling at the night-time skies.

Ahhh!  What a wonderful day!