New Mexico / Colorado

[Snobdds]

Not to ask a dumb question, but can anyone let me know what these are actually used for? They were around Jefferson on 285 south/west heading towards Fair Play.

If I were to guess, perhaps something for snow given the area, but never have seen them before and not certain of why in certain areas and not elsewhere.

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They are everywhere on I-80 in Wyoming. They do work.

 

[jyoutz]

Thank you, that train ride was one of the highlights of our trip. Best train trip ever.

I did find it confusing though staying in NM and having to drive to Colorado to start the train ride because it would be shorter than driving to New Mexico starting the trip. But the lady at the railroad explained the same thing to me LOL

It was literally a full day trip with the bus drive back, but the scenery was as described.

Those locomotives are some pieces of equipment

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I’m glad that you were able to take that trip. It truly is a gem. Sounds like we almost crossed paths. I’m going to take that trip Saturday with a lady I’m dating. This time of year is so nice with the wildflowers and green landscape. It’s also nice in the fall with the golden aspen leaves. One of the best Rocky Mountain day trips.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I’m going to take that trip Saturday...

Oops, I read this too late. You drove right by me.

 

[jyoutz]

Oops, I read this too late. You drove right by me.

Interesting. Where were you?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Interesting. Where were you?

Right here at home getting things done (or trying to) as usual.

Well, I'm assuming you came up here on 84.

 

[jyoutz]

Right here at home getting things done (or trying to) as usual.

Well, I'm assuming you came up here on 84.

I boarded at Antonito, CO and drove up 285. Sounds like you are near the other end of the line around Chama?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Oh, yeah, I forgot that you started at the "wrong end". You were only a nice drive on 64 away.

Oh well, maybe next time.

 

[t1kilo]

I believe there is a historic church there (It's been a long time) that is worth a visit.

Went to this years ago. Very interesting.

Loretto Chapel Miraculous Staircase | Loretto Chapel

Loretto Chapel Museum Miraculous Staircase and Wedding Chapel in Santa Fe

www.lorettochapel.com

 

[Sigarms]

Went to this years ago. Very interesting.

Loretto Chapel Miraculous Staircase | Loretto Chapel

Loretto Chapel Museum Miraculous Staircase and Wedding Chapel in Santa Fe

www.lorettochapel.com

We stopped by

We went it, but in all honesty found the church's method of soliciting beyond being tacky. That said, I guess they deal with to many cheap bas****s who wouldn't donate $5 to the church and wanted to look at the stair case LOL

The Miracle Of The Loretto Chapel Staircase Explained - Grunge

We've all had those moments: We look at something that's designed, constructed, and boggling the mind with its intricacy, asking, "How did they do that?"

www.grunge.com

I know when we were in Charleston and Savanah Ga on trips, we would leave a donation at the churches we visited even if not asked for one. Perhaps it's just us, but I'd like to think a church would put funds generated by the curious visiting public to good use.

 

[jyoutz]

We stopped by

View attachment 3945630

We went it, but in all honesty found the church's method of soliciting beyond being tacky. That said, I guess they deal with to many cheap bas****s who wouldn't donate $5 to the church and wanted to look at the stair case LOL

The Miracle Of The Loretto Chapel Staircase Explained - Grunge

We've all had those moments: We look at something that's designed, constructed, and boggling the mind with its intricacy, asking, "How did they do that?"

www.grunge.com

I know when we were in Charleston and Savanah Ga on trips, we would leave a donation at the churches we visited even if not asked for one. Perhaps it's just us, but I'd like to think a church would put funds generated by the curious visiting public to good use.

That is no longer an active church owned by the Diocese. It was sold to the hotel next door and it’s a private enterprise.

 

[Sigarms]

That is no longer an active church owned by the Diocese. It was sold to the hotel next door and it’s a private enterprise.

Thank you for that info, would never have known. I just know when we both read the "ad" for a $5 fee, it turned us off coming into a "church". That said, we could have missed the sign stating it wasn't an active church.

It makes more sense now...

I did look at one website, would be curious as to why Roman Catholic ceremonies are not approved? (really doesn't matter, but more curious than anything else, unless the Catholics are opposed to it themselves)

 

[Sigarms]

That is no longer an active church owned by the Diocese. It was sold to the hotel next door and it’s a private enterprise.

Will also note, if you visit Santa Fe from out of state, best bet is staying at a local hotel that offers parking, because finding any parking was was bugger.

I'm assuming the it's allowed to park at the visitor center? That's were we ended up parking, and then walking back after walking around the city I was getting freaked out by the no parking signs, but I guess that could be for the city parking? I assumed it was ok because it seemed like they were running buses from that location, but I didn't see anyone getting dropped off when we parked.

We really did enjoy visiting the Pecos National historical park before getting to Santa Fe

Things To Do - Pecos National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

There are a variety of activities you can do while you are visiting Pecos National Historical Park.

www.nps.gov

 

[jyoutz]

Thank you for that info, would never have known. I just know when we both read the "ad" for a $5 fee, it turned us off coming into a "church". That said, we could have missed the sign stating it wasn't an active church.

It makes more sense now...

I did look at one website, would be curious as to why Roman Catholic ceremonies are not approved? (really doesn't matter, but more curious than anything else, unless the Catholics are opposed to it themselves)

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Just an Archdiocese of Santa Fe thing. Sacraments are only celebrated in active churches. The Bishop’s decision. IDK the reason.

 

[jyoutz]

Will also note, if you visit Santa Fe from out of state, best bet is staying at a local hotel that offers parking.

I'm assuming the it's allowed to park at the visitor center? That's were we ended up parking, and then walking back after walking around the city I was getting freaked out by the no parking signs, but I guess that could be for the city parking? I assumed it was ok because it seemed like they were running buses from that location, but I didn't see anyone getting dropped off when we parked.

There are a few public parking garages and the Cathedral has a large paid parking lot. Parking is limited in the old town plaza area as you noted. Hotels are the best bet for tourists. It’s just too congested and of course parking was never considered when the old town was established in the 1600s. And it’s hard to add parking because every building is a national historic landmark.

 

[Sigarms]

Just an Archdiocese of Santa Fe thing. Sacraments are only celebrated in active churches. The Bishop’s decision. IDK the reason.

I get it being raised Russian Orthodox.

Luckily the priest I use to be an altar boy for met my girlfriend at the time and agreed to marry us in my church, even though she wasn't Russian Orthodox. The current priest I know would never allow that.

 

[Sigarms]

And it’s hard to add parking because every building is a national historic landmark.

We were wondering about building codes in Santa Fe.

You travel to Charleston or Savanah (old local east coast cities) and I know for a fact that the zoning board rules with a iron fist on what you can and can't do, as the city wants to preserve it's historical buildings. High velocity HVAC systems comes into play because you can't use conventional ductwork for AC (and in those areas, AC is pretty important in today's times).

 

[jyoutz]

We were wondering about building codes in Santa Fe.

You travel to Charleston or Savanah (old local east coast cities) and I know for a fact that the zoning board rules with a iron fist on what you can and can't do, as the city wants to preserve it's historical buildings. High velocity HVAC systems comes into play because you can't use conventional ductwork for AC (and in those areas, AC is pretty important in today's times).

IDK the codes, but I hear that the historical old town locations have a committee that must approve changes to historical register buildings.

 

[Sigarms]

IDK the codes, but I hear that the historical old town locations have a committee that must approve changes to historical register buildings.

The one thing that struck me about Santa Fe is I was surprised that the total population was around 90,000 people (thought it would be larger) and the fact that I really didn't see any "tall buildings".

More surprisingly after looking only now, Albuquerque is the largest city in NM with a population of over 2 million. Any other city is around 100K or less. Even more surprised that Albuquerque is larger than Charlotte NC.

On a side note not pertaining to NM, but Colorado, I despised I-25 going north of Pueblo from NM, and even when we stayed in Golden for the Red Rock's concert traveling I-25. I would never believe in my life that traffic would be worse on a interstate in Colorado vs NC LOL. One thing I did notice, out in Colorado I would be driving doing 80 MPH in the right lane and not catching up to anyone. When I was driving in the left lane, I was doing 90 MPH and not catching up up anyone (I had to notice I going that fast to slow it down to get in the right lane because at least to me, that fast of speed is unsafe).

Way I see it, with the speed people drive out there on the interstate, when they have accidents, they must be pretty bad ones. Do know that driving on 522 out of Red River to Colorado, it's very easy to get going fast if there isn't anyone around you for a ways.

 

[jyoutz]

Yeah, Albuquerque metro area is really the only large city in NM. The next largest are Las Cruces and Santa Fe. We are really a rural state with a large land area and most of the state relies on Albuquerque, Denver, or El Paso for big city services. The Colorado front range traffic is indeed not fun at all. That’s why I originally recommended that you fly to Colorado Springs instead of Denver to miss the worst commute. Albuquerque airport is also an easy airport to navigate and commute from.

 

[Sigarms]

The Colorado front range traffic is indeed not fun at all. That’s why I originally recommended that you fly to Colorado Springs instead of Denver to miss the worst commute. Albuquerque airport is also an easy airport to navigate and commute from.

Believe me, we both appreciated that tip on Colorado Springs, but man, if it's worse going from Colorado Springs to Golden north vs going all the way to Denver, I would really hate to see what it's like going back and forth into Denver.

I see your point on the Albuquerque airport, but since the trip started with the Red rocks concert, made more sense for Colorado Springs, and flying out of there on a Saturday morning wasn't that bad.

I was genuinely surprised the population disparity between Albuquerque and the rest of NM's "cities".

Probably saw more hot air balloon out there then I've ever seen here (and we have a local guy who runs balloon rides in town).

Seem liked every morning someone was landing around Pagosa Springs

This was going into the Airport at Colorado Springs early Saturday morning