by Bob Ackenhausen | Apr 5, 2020 | Footnotes
Quarantine! Yes, we all must but I could take no more. I had to get out and snowshoe. Walking and hiking were fine but I just had to do something different. The question was what? I have already written about the up side of Coronavirus. That blog was about discovering new walking trails around Santa Fe. The river trail is interesting and it has taken me to new areas of the city but I needed something else. That something else was snowshoeing.
Why snowshoe?
I had received a pair of snowshoes for Christmas and they were still unused. I ski during the winter and was not sure when and where to try out these interesting gifts. Then the virus hit. Ski Santa Fe valiantly stayed open for a few days but finally gave in and announced the end of their season. A few days later a thought occurred to me. Now that you can no longer ski, why not get out and snowshoe. It seemed like the perfect solution.
Where to snowshoe?
The next question to be answered was where. The Valles Caldera is nice and flat but it is about an hour away. I was sure it still had snow but how much? Of course, I could look out my window and see that Ski Santa Fe had plenty of snow. Ski Santa Fe is was the obvious choice.
On the mountain
I reached the parking lot at about 10:00. No need to hurry. I was surprised by the number of cars in the lot. Being on the mountain was not a novel idea. There were quite a few people with skies. Other were just hiking with boots only. The bottom area was covered by about an inch of snow but I could see up the bunny slope and it looked good. I snowshoed my way up to Totemoff’s. Unfortunately, it was closed so no beer.
Top of the mountain Ma !!!
The question now was do I go back down or head on up. I was here to get out and snowshoe so it was head on up! It was up Thunderbird to Crossover and to the top of Tesuque! It was a hard slog but I made it! I took in the view and headed down. Snowshoeing down is much easier than up. Would I do it again? Yes! The snow still looks good so next time I will go all the way to the antennas.
Want to go snowshoeing? Contact Santa Fe Footprints.
by Bob Ackenhausen | Feb 4, 2020 | Footnotes
‘You take what the mountain give you! You must enjoy the experience’.That is a quote from a guest on one of my Santa Fe Footprints ski tours. The mountain was angry that day. The fog was thick and the wind was high. We did the lower mountain and it was not bad. As always, the runs at Ski Santa Fe are fun and can challenge you. I saw a small patch of blue sky and we decided to go up top. We rode the lift to Tesuque Peak. The view from the top is normally magnificent. Not today. The fog limited visibility to 20 feet. The wind blew me over. With skill and care we all made it down.
When I apologized for the mountain a guest set my mind at ease. This is skiing and you take what the mountain give and enjoy the experience.
I took guest up several days later and the mountain was much kinder. This day was what a Santa Fe ski experience normally is all about. No lift lines. Sunshine. 100 mile visibility. The mountain was still holding back. A bit of wind. I found the snow a bit hard. Not the normal white fluff that is Santa Fe’s calling card.
As I look out the window the snow is falling. The mountain is saying, ‘Come on! I got what you need!’
Don’t miss the Experience !!!!!
by Bob Ackenhausen | Jan 27, 2020 | Footnotes
What to do after the great tours in Santa Fe
For those of you who have had a great time on one of the wonderful Santa Fe Footpirnts tours the question is what to do next? You have had a great experience, be it the Historic Walking tour, a Hiking tour, fun on the mountain with a Ski Santa Fe tour or a fascinating tour of a local Pueblo. You must experience the Sandia Tram. Most of you either arrived in New Mexico via the Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ) and or will leave the Land of Enchantment from that excellent airport. Please add a little time in you travel plans to take the ride on the Sandia Tram to the top of Sandia Peak. I recommend taking the tram just before sunset. You will not regret it.
My Sunset Ride on the Tram
This Sunday we did and Albuquerque afternoon. Part of this experience was checking out the new restaurant at the top of the Sandia Tram. The ride up the Tram is impressive no matter what time of day. To achieve the maximum experience you must do the sunset run. As the sun set the clouds turned pink and red. Venus was shining bright just above the silver crescent of the moon. The lights of Albuquerque began to twinkle. It was an Incredible sight !
The Ten 3
The sun set and the light came on. It was time for us to check out the new restaurant called Ten 3. The name Ten 3 refers to the altitude to Sandia Peak, 10,378 feet. I was impressed with the space. Fantastic views both north and south. The bar is very cool. I had a good local craft beer. We shared an appetizer board, which actually substituted for our dinner.
The twinkling Lights
The ride down was just as impressive because the lights of the city, the moon and the stars were shining bright. Let me conclude that either before of after you take your memorable tour with Santa Fe Footprints, you must experience the Sandia Tram.
WWW.Santafefootprints.com
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 | Dec 18, 2019 | Footnotes
A glowing path with glowing trees. Experience the magic at the Santa Fe Garden.
The Glow in the Santa Fe Botanical Garden is one of the many excellent reasons to visit Santa Fe during the Christmas season. This is an event I look forward to every year.
You have finished shopping or skiing and are thinking what to do before dinner. I always advise my tour guest to make a late dinner reservation. A late reservation in Santa Fe is between 7:30 and 8:30. Why do that, I’m asked? Because, I say, there is nothing quite like the Glow in the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. The night will be cool and crisp. The lights on the plants and the art work are breath taking. Don’t forget to look up at nature’s light show as the stars fill the heavens.
Did you say cold? Yes it will be cool, we don’t say cold in Santa Fe, but part of the price of admission is hot food, hot chocolate, hot cider and many varieties of wine. All of that will definitely take the cill off.
Oh, did I mention the free music? New performers every night.
The Garden glow is each weekend, Friday to Sunday, through out December. Don’t miss it !!
Click this link for more details, Garden Glow.
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.
