by Bob Ackenhausen | Dec 22, 2019 | Footnotes
Farolito Walk on Canyon Road on Christmas Eve.
Christmas in Santa Fe is one of my most favorite times of the year. Christmas in Santa Fe is magical. The trees in the plaza are filled with beautiful lights of many colors. There are free performances in the Cathedral by such groups as the Apprentices of the Santa Fe Opera. The famous Desert Chorale performs and numerous locations around town. Loretto Chapel, home of the miracle stairway, has a Christmas concert on Christmas Eve.
On of the most beloved events is the Christmas Eve walk up Canyon Road. The road is lined with farolitos. Not the plastic ones with electric lights but real ones. Paper bags with sand in the bottom and a candle burning in the middle. Many of the art galleries are open with bond fires out front with hot refreshments.
Of course, there is the shopping. Shopping in Santa Fe is unequaled. But, Christmas in Santa Fe is magical and for the reasons above and many more it should not be missed.
When you need to take a day off from the fantastic skiing or the incredible shopping, consider a tour of this historic city. Click here for more information about a great Historic Walking Tour.
by Bob Ackenhausen | Jun 5, 2019 | Footnotes
A Walking tour group and the Loretto Chapel Miracle Stairway.
For visitors to Santa Fe the Miracle Stairway of Loretto Chapel is a MUST SEE.
The Chapel choir loft is 22 feet above the floor, but with no way to get there. Legend says that to find a solution to this problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed. Then carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. So, was this mystery man St. Joseph himself? Had he come in answer to the sisters’ prayers?
The design was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex experts today. The staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. The staircase was built without nails—only wooden pegs.
Santa Fe Footprints Historic Walking Tour fills in the details and provides a discount admission to wonder at the Miracle Stairway.
by Bob Ackenhausen | Mar 16, 2019 | Footnotes
Among Santa Fe’s many distinctive destinations is The Loretto Chapel and its miraculous
and mysterious spiral staircase. Outside this beautiful 19th century chapel stands The
Rosary Tree, so-named because visitors from around the world have stopped here to
adorn the tree’s branches with rosaries in memory of loved ones who have died. Over
time, the tree has accumulated so many rosaries that the chapel has had to periodically
remove the rosaries to protect the tree’s limbs. It is said that more than 500 rosaries are
now buried beneath this iconic tree. Join Santa Fe Footprints to visit The Rosary Tree
and be inspired!
