Page 28 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2021 DISCOVERING SANTA FE

Sitting at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo
Range, the air is thin, with an elevation of 7,000
feet above sea level. It took us a few days to get
used to it. Don’t plan to do anything too strenu-
ous until your body gets acclimated. And stay
hydrated, as our Airbnb hostess regularly re-
minded us.
The weather for our late spring visit was ex-
ceptional. Sun and blue skies were the norm,
with a few thunderstorms that drenched wiste-
ria, tulips, and lilacs then in full bloom. The city
averages 325 days of sunshine annually with an
average annual rainfall of 14 inches. Right now
the city, like so much of the west, is experiencing
a drought. June is the hottest month with highs
into the upper nineties, while winters coat the
plaza and holiday luminarias with snow.
Throughout the year the evenings can be chilly,
so light jackets or sweaters should be on your
packing list.
During our stay, as the city gradually lightened
pandemic-related restrictions, shops and restau-
rants were open, with masks required for entry.
Several public galleries and museums either
were closed or had minimal exhibits. During the
eight days we spent in town, we were never at a
loss for something to do or a place to go.
Like most cities, Santa Fe comprises several
distinct neighborhoods or districts, each with its
own personality. We visited several of them,
mostly those that cater to history, tourism, and
the arts.
As part of our goal to immerse ourselves in
Santa Fe living, we stayed for eight days in an
Airbnb home in the Eastside community made up

28 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2021