One of the many peacocks at Rancho Jacona

In the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo - just above Rancho Jacona

Now on the flanks of the Sangre, where snow is often found into late August.

The Santa Fe Gallery Association is, of course, vibrant. There are gallery openings on Friday evenings.

Pueblo Pottery - a typical native American pueblo work of art - predicated on at least 8 centuries of tradition.

A kiva at Bandelier - just 28 miles from Rancho Jacona.

Mountain biking is challenging on the mesa rims and in the mountains on single track trails.

Pack horses taking a raft and rafters to the bottom of the Rio Grande Gorge north of Taos for a wilderness journey.

Whitewater rafting in the nearby Rio Grande.

The gorge of the Rio Grande north of Taos about 70 minutes drive from Rancho Jacona.

The Rio Grande down by us flows by and around mesas.

Pajarito is above Los Alamos - across the Rio Grande valley from Rancho Jacona. The slopes are family oriented and are open only on weekends and holidays. 20 minutes away from Rancho Jacona.

The trail map for Pajarito

Native American celebration dances take place in the late autumn and December period. It is possible to view them.

The Santa Fe Opera is just 15 minutes drive from us - and you are going opposite most of the traffic flow. The productions are world class while the shed is a detailed piece of architectural sculpture.

Ten Thousand Waves - the Japanese style bathhouse on the flanks of the foothills.

The Bishop's Lodge Spa has a fine reputation.

The Spa at Loretto in Santa Fe

Another treatment experience at Loretto.

Just 5 miles from is the new Towa Golf course.

Trail riding for the experienced - from Makarios Ranch 60 minutes south of Ranch Jacona. Trail Riding on the Turquoise Trail

Georgia O'Keefe

Georgia O'Keefe's image for Ghost Ranch

A view of Ghost Ranch as Georgia O'Keefe viewed it. The ranch is an hour's drive from Rancho Jacona.

Southwest Cuisine is just that.

February brings great eating experiences and bargains allied with great gallery bargains.

Indian Market weekend is in August and is a bonanza of art.

Tent Rocks is another experience of what our land produces and erodes into.

Activities and Adventures - Santa Fe Recreation, Culture, Expedition, Museums

Excursions, Discovery, Cuisine and Spa Pampering

Resturants & Cuisine in Santa Fe

:: activities, right from your casita
:: pausing
:: nearby adventures
:: futher afield adventures
:: pueblos nearby
:: ancient pueblos from the 14th & 15th centuries
:: museums - art and history
:: museum - science at Los Alamos
:: pampering in Santa Fe - spas
:: horseback riding
:: rafting, kayaking
:: more excursions
:: the mountains
:: skiing
:: golfing
:: cuisine, restaurants
:: events calendar
:: the arts world of Santa Fe
:: nearby galleries
:: the art fairs and markets of Santa Fe
:: shopping

Activities, Trips, Discoveries around Santa Fe - for families and all:

• The pool, immaculately clean, with lots of sunning room and a huge shallow end for little ones.
• Animals:
  
  • Rabbits to feed in a warren of their own. (fruit peels, vegetable leavings, melon rinds, anything but onions.)
    
  • Burros (bring apples)
    
  • Goats and sheep (carrots and apples)
    
  • Peafowl, both cocks and hens. Each morning they make the rounds of all the houses, hoping for some tossed toast bits or breakfast cereal.
    
  • Chickens and geese. Just to see how many kinds of feathered creatures you can pick out.
    
  • Friendly dogs and cats, for petting, walking with, talking to.
    
    
• Video Library: with highly rated recent films for all ages
  
• Games and puzzles: to be checked out.
  
• Children's books: In the office
  
• Other books: In your casita bookcase
  
• Outdoor grill, for "picnicky" meals
  
• A long saunter or a brisk hike down the arroyo to the river to the cliffs
  
• Fruit trees to pick a personal or animal snack from (in season, of course)
• A croquet game on the swimming pool lawn.
  
• A run with your own dog in the meadow
• Road biking on the lanes
• Mountain biking the arroyos and lanes
• Trail running through along the arroyo and its Jacona cliffs chasms
• Walking the same arroyos

For Pausing:

• Gardens
• Sculpture by local artists
  
• Wind chimes and a gog that sing in harmony
  
• Wind sculptures in the meadow
  
• A bookish (or meditative) morning (or a whole day) on your patio
  
• A fierce monsoon storm across the valley
  
• The smell of roses
  
  • Of junipers
    
  • Of wood smoke

Adventure That Can Start at Rancho Jacona

• Road biking along infrequently travelled back roads
  
• Mountain bike up into the Sangre de Cristo -- start on dirt roads, into the national forest, then double track, then challenging single track. Please be prepared for flats as there are vicious thorns in areas.
  
• Trail run the arroyos from Rancho Jacona - miles and miles of stream beds going through the hills, cliffs and spilling down to the Rio Grande.

Further afield adventures and discovery

• shopping in the extraordinary collection of shops in Santa Fe, the galleries that are everywhere.
  
• exploring street upon street of art galleries of Santa Fe and Taos
  
• exploring the history and cultures of our native American pueblos; see details of where our nearby pueblos are and notes on their culture with links to pueblo sites [http://www.kstrom.net/isk/maps/nm
  /nmmap.html]
  
• discovering the artisan potters and weavers at the neighboring pueblos.
  
• discovering the contemporary culture and recent history of the pueblos and tribes
  
• discovering the Native American history and artifacts at Bandelier National Monument this national monument preserves hundreds of ruins of Anasazi cliff dwellings, including the Tyuonyi village of Frijoles Canyon. Read about Bandelier near Rancho Jacona [http://www.nps.gov/band/]
• discovering the Tsankawi mesa. Read about one person's hike up to Tsankawi near Rancho Jacona [http://www.kevingong.com/Hiking/
  TsankawiTrail.html]
  
• golfing at two excellent courses nearby [ see section below ]
  
• horseback riding in the desert and hill country [ see section below ]
  
• mountains - they surround our valley and the hikes are throughout in the Sangre de Cristo range and the Jemez range. The hiking is exceptional; it equals the Rockies.
  
• mountain biking the gorge rims and mountain single tracks
  
• whitewater kayaking and rafting on the Rio Grande Read about rafting near Rancho Jacona.
  [ http://www.kokopelliraft.com/]
  [ http://www.santaferafting.com/ ]
  
• further up the Rio Grande north Taos - rafting through the 1000 foot deep canyon
  
• fly fishing in high desert streams. Read more about fly fishing while based at Santa Fe rental houses. [http://www.highdesertangler.com
  /firstcast.html]
  
• exploring the Turquoise Trail, south of Santa Fe -- travel through the turn-of-the-century mining towns of Madrid, Cerrillos and Golden; here is where turquoise was taken for ancient Indian jewelry.
  
• exploring the Native American and Georgia O'Keefe museums in Santa Fe
  
• the Santa Fe Opera's exceptional productions during the summer - starting as the sun sets, in a world class out door, covered pavilion that is, itself, an experience. Read about opera performances at Santa Fe Opera near to Ranch Jacona. Read more about Santa Fe Opera Festival and nearby accommodation.
  [ http://www.santafeopera.org/ ]
  
• skiing and snowboarding on the friendly, family oriented slopes of Pajarito in the Jemez mountains across the valley from us. Weekend skiing only. Read about skiing at Pajarito near to Ranch Jacona.
  

Museums - Forever

Many peublos will have a museum.
Santa Fe has some twelve - all with classes, seminars, and lectures.

View here for information on Santa Fe museums.

Los Alamos and all that it represents.
There is a fine science and history museum there about the work that has been done at Los Alamos and there ar even moral reflections.
[http://www.lanl.gov/museum/]
[ http://www.losalamoshistory.org/
Museum.htm ]

Further afield pampering

On the flank of the mountains behind us are two world class spas:

• Ten Thousand Waves
  "One wave, Ten thousand waves. This Japanese saying - roughly interpreted as "it's all the same, so don't worry" -- establishes the tone for a unique spa set in the natural beauty of the New Mexican landscape. "We want our guest to profoundly relax when they're here and to leave with a carefree attitude," explains owner Duke Klauck. A longtime student of Japanese culture, Klauck built Ten Thousand Waves some 20 years ago on a piñion covered hillside between the desert floor and the 12,000 foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, fashioning it after the historic hot-spring resorts in the mountains of Japan." - from Healthy Living, December 1999
  
  
  • Read more about this great spa experience near to Rancho Jacona [http://www.10000waves.com/]
    
    
• ShahNah Spa & Wellness at Bishop's Lodge
  At SháNah, all sessions will begin with an optional drumming and blessing to set the intention and open the heart. We give full 60- and 90-minute sessions that are focused on the synergistic dance of therapist and guest.
  
  • Our motto is to individualize the treatment. Our therapists work in an environment that enhances their healing energy, their SháNah, and in turn nourishes and deepens the experience for our guests.
    
  • Read more about this great spa experience near to Rancho Jacona:
    [http://www.shanahspa.com]
    
    
• While in downtown Santa Fe is the Spa at the Inn of Loretto

• • For a downtown Santa Fe spa

Horseback Riding - Trail Rides Near Santa Fe

We have no particular trail ride trip to recommend :

Santa Fe Detours - trailrides

Trips ranging in length from a few hours to overnight can be arranged by Santa Fe Detours, 54 1/2 E. San Francisco St. (summer tour desk, 107 Washington Ave.; tel. 800/338-6877 or 505/983-6565). You'll ride with "experienced wranglers" and can even arrange a trip that includes a cookout or brunch.

Broken Saddle Riding Company

We have heard that this outfut is excellent.

"At the end of the day you can look back and say, 'Well, it was good, we had a good time'" From the Santa Fe New Mexican

Guided rides on registered Missouri Foxtrotters and Tennessee Walkers

Broken Saddle Riding Company offers a wide variety of scenic trail rides through canyons and hills, all with spectacular views. For a treasured experience, ride with us on one of our sunset or moonlight trail rides.
[ http://www.brokensaddle.com/ ]
Broken Saddle Riding Company, P.O. Box 286, Cerrillos, NM 87010; Tel: (505) 424-7774; Email: info@brokensaddle.com

Makarios Ranch : ride with Annie on the Turquoise Trail - for the very experienced riders. [ http://hometown.aol.com/annieokl/
horsebackrides.html ]

Excursions

• Georgia O'Keefe: Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch
  Just north of Rancho Jacona is Georgia O'Keefe's world and house in Abiquiu, where occasionally it is possible for you to arrange a visit.
• Ghost Ranch, where she worked and painted during many summers can be visited and you can hike trails that reveal the rock formations that made their way into her work. Ghost Ranch is a church sponsored retreat that runs many excellent arts and Southwest history study classes. [ http://www.ghostranch.org/ ]
  
• Further north is Taos - a town also narrowness for its Southwest lifestyle and art -- from mother earth houses to sophisticated galleries.
  . . . . . . . . . .
  There are two way to get up to Taos. One way takes about an hour and twenty minutes of driving but many more hours of stopping as you will be going along the old mountain road to Taos with ancient small villages, an historic site of miracles - Chimayo where there is a fascinating chapel, many artist studios tucked down village side streets and opportunities for high mountain hikes and bikes.
  The other way to Taos is faster - 50 minutes should do it. It follows the Rio Grande and you'll spot the rafters and kayakers down in the rapids.
• And just north of Taos is the our miniature Grand Canyon - the Rio Grande Canyon, 900 feet deep
  
• Bandelier National Park and Tsankawi :
  • discovering the Native American history and artifacts at Bandelier National Monument this national monument preserves hundreds of ruins of Anasazi cliff dwellings, including the Tyuonyi village of Frijoles Canyon. Read about Bandelier near Rancho Jacona [http://www.nps.gov/band/]
  • discovering the Tsankawi mesa. Read about one person's hike up to Tsankawi near Rancho Jacona [http://www.kevingong.com/
    Hiking/TsankawiTrail.html]
    
• Tent Rocks: Many of the travelers who come here see tents--which is why the formation has been named Tent Rocks. But to other visitors, the rocks loom as mushrooms, or castles, or even the hookah-smoking caterpillar from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Some rocks are 30 feet high. The Tent Rocks are located about half-way between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. From Albuquerque you would take I-25 north to Hwy.22 west. From Santa Fe you would take I-25 south to Hwy. 16 west. Both of these highways will bring you to the Cochiti Lake Dam. At the Cochiti Lake Dam there are signs directing you to the Tent Rocks.
  
  

3 Ski Areas within an hour
And a great Cross Country Set of Trails

Pajarito ski mountain is just 30 minutes from us and we can see it from the back meadow to the west. For up to the minute information on Pajarito, go here > http://www.skipajarito.com

For up to the minute ski conditions, please go here > http://www.skipajarito.com/snowreport.htm

The ski area is excellent for families, with a warm, close feel about it. Passes for adults are $49, Teens $40, Children $31, Senior $40. Lessons and rentals are similarly reasonable for a whole family.

Cross Country Skiing at Pajarito

Right next to Pajarito is an excellent set of groomed trails, great views, and many miles to trek. The trails that branch out from Pajarito with journeys through forest, meadows, and ridges. For more cross country information, go here > http://www.swnordicski.org/

Sipapu Ski Area

This family ski area is about an hour north of us in the Sangre de Cristo and it is in fine shape with all 4 lifts open on a base of 32 to 43 inches. The drive up there is a treat with ancient churches, small native villages tucked in valleys, wooden viaducts, artist ateliers, and rich green (and white, now) valleys and peaks. You drive there on the old road to Taos, which is just another 40 minutes drive from Sipapu ski area. Rates for '09 are the most affrdable in the area: Adult $30, Teen $34, Child $29, Senior $27 and Free if over 69.
For Sipapu details, go here > http://www.sipapunm.com/Mountain/SnowReport.asp

Ski Santa Fe

Ski Santa Fe is nestled high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just 16 miles from the heart of historic Santa Fe, New Mexico. With a base area elevation of 10,350 feet, Ski Santa Fe is among the highest ski areas in the continental United States. Our New Millennium Triple Chairlift will take snow sport enthusiasts to a new height of 12,075 feet and some of the southwest's finest skiing. The vistas atop Ski Santa Fe are unsurpassed and act as the gateway for thrills including steep bump runs, powder filled chutes, gladed tree-skiing, and plenty of groomers. Ski Santa Fe is family oriented, but those seeking a challenge can find their place on our mountain. Rates for '09: Adult $58, Teen $46, Child $40, Senior $40. For Ski Santa Fe details. go here > http://www.skisantafe.com

Taos Ski areas - ther are two of them and the drive is between 90 to 100 minutes.
Details: http://www.skitaos.org

Golfing on the Santa Fe Trail

Golf on the Santa Fe Trail is one of America's newest, and New Mexico's most heralded, golf destinations. Featuring nine high desert golf courses that are nestled along a one-hundred mile swatch of the Rio Grande River Valley, Golf on the Santa Fe Trail is a collection of New Mexico's premier and tournament level courses that are easily accessible between or close to Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Capitalizing on the diversity of New Mexico's arid and mountainous geology, these superb courses are both challenging and visually memorable, while remaining remarkably affordable. And due to their proximities to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and a number of Native American pueblos and national parks, Golf on the Santa Fe Trail courses are a perfect complement to the family New Mexico vacation.

Black Mesa

Black Mesa is located on the Santa Clara Pueblo just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Native American roots of its land carries a unique history. This 18-hole course plays through dramatic sandstone ridges with Black Mesa visible from several locations. ( You can also see the top of Black Mesa from Rancho Jacona's vacation rental condo casitas ) Offering a wide variety of holes, each with its own memorable features, the site showcases distinctive bunkering, native arroyos as hazards, and green contouring in keeping with the scale of the natural landforms.

Located at an elevation of 5,400 feet, the course routing features an elevation change of over 300 feet, and 12 of the holes play slightly downhill. The course plays at 7,359 yards, par 72, with 105 bunkers. The short game practice area presents golfers with all of the same challenges around the green that they will face on the course, as well as a spacious, 60,000 square foot teeing area that accompanies the range and two practice putting greens. In addition, Black Mesa Golf Club features a full-service pro shop, a grill and state-of-the-art GPS carts.

Towa Golf Course

Located in Pojoaque, just 12 miles north of Santa Fe, Towa Golf resort is New Mexico's newest golfing treasure. There are three nine's currently open. The Pinon nine, designed by Hale Irwin, the Boulder nine designed by Bill Phillips, and the Butterfly nine, also a Phillip's design. A player's most memorable shot might come on the Boulder nine's par 3 fourth hole. This 186-yard par 3 requires a tee shot to New Mexico's only island green.

The 7,143-yard par 72 course showcases championship golf with the serenity of the desert and breathtaking views. Elevated tee boxes provide panoramic views of pinon and juniper dotted landscape, boulder canyons, and the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. The facility's golf academy also offers instruction and year round clinics utilizing video analysis.

While Towa Golf Resort is making a name with its golf course it's the unsurpassed reputation of customer service that will allow players to experience New Mexico's finest hospitality.

Gourmet Cuisine and Local Organic Foods at Santa Fe Farmers Market

The exceptional Southwest cuisine of our Santa Fe restaurants is a twenty minute drive south to Santa Fe from Ranch Jacona. Have a look at some of Santa Fe's restaurant experiences: Read more:
[ www.gourmetclubsantafe.com]

Here you will find Tripadvisor reviews :
[ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60958-Santa_Fe_New_Mexico.html ]

Just under the Loretto Chapel, off the plaza, is a sophisticated Santa Fe Restaurant called Luminaria; it has a terrace area that is a treat to dine on.

The Santa Fe Farners Market is the summer is a traet: 8AM - Noon on Satrurdays. All ocal and all organic. Read about the Santa Fe Farmer's Market here.

Events Calendar for Santa Fe

Read about the events through the year that are part of life at Santa Fe - near to Rancho Jacona :[http://santa-fe-new-mexico.onetravelsource.com/
information_events.cfm ] or [http://santafe.org/What_s_Happening_Now/

The Arts World - the studios that surround us at Rancho Jacona rental houses near Santa Fe

Santa Fe is the third largest art market in the country - here are some the many events that make us so rich in art:

See The Santa Fe Gallery Association site for many commercial galleries and events: [ http://www.santafegalleries.net/new/index.php ]

ArtFeast

Lats wek in February:
Celebrating Santa Fe's pre-eminent art galleries and superb restaurants, the Annual ARTFeast is a tasteful series of events that blend the best of the city's aesthetic and epicurean offerings. A project of the Santa Fe Gallery Association through its nonprofit organization, ARTSmart, all proceeds from ARTFeast benefit art programs for children in the Santa Fe public schools. www.artfeast.com

Native American Art - near Rancho Jacona

The sculptors of San Ildefenso Pueblo and Santa Clara Pueblo. There are small galleries - usually the front room of the sculptor's house.

Then, at the other 5 nearby Pueblos and throughout Santa Fe.

On the local arroyo, we have occasional weekend ope houses at all the artist studios. Usually we see this in the early autumn

The Markets of Santa Fe

The Indian Market: [ http://www.swaia.org/market.php ]
Third week of August

Each year the Santa Fe Indian Market includes 1,200 artists from about 100 tribes who show their work in over 600 booths. The event attracts an estimated 100,000 visitors to Santa Fe from all over the world. Buyers, collectors and gallery owners come to Indian Market to take advantage of the opportunity to buy directly from the artists. For many visitors, this is a rare opportunity to meet the artists and learn about contemporary Indian arts and cultures. Quality is the hallmark of the Santa Fe Indian Market.

The Spanish Market: [ http://www.spanishmarket.org/ ]

Last weekend of July: The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art presents the 54th Annual Traditional Spanish Market

On the Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico

The rich Hispanic culture of Northern New Mexico is celebrated.
The oldest and largest exhibition and sale of Spanish colonial artforms in the United States, Spanish Market features more than 300 traditional Hispanic artists, continuous live music, art demonstrations and regional foods. It is a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy a taste of New Mexico's vibrant Spanish culture, both past and present. Admission is free to the public.

Spanish Market is an event that attracts the local community, tourists and serious collectors from around the world. In addition to the native New Mexican adult artists, a special youth exhibition area features the artwork of some 100 children, ages 6 to 17, who are developing skills passed down through the generations.

Nearby Galleries

There are numerous galleries that you will find around Rancho Jacona.

This guide will help you sort out the ones that you would care to visit.
[ http://www.collectorsguide.com/ ]

Just down the road to Santa Fe is an extraordinary resource - The Shidoni Foundry and Gallery. The gallery has all kinds of arts, not only sculpture. There is a large - several acres - sculpture park. Adjoining, is a glass blowers gallery. [ http://www.shidoni.com/ ]

Shopping

Everywhere.