New Mexico destinations rich in local culture

Sante Fe and Taos, New Mexico, are excellent summer destinations for anyone who likes to be surrounded by clear air, mountain scenery, dry climate, beautiful flowers and magnificent art.

The entire area is rich in culture, history, natural wonders and modern sophistication.

The adventure traveler can choose from outdoor activities that include hiking, fishing, rafting, ballooning and horseback riding.

History buffs will be interested to know that Sante Fe is the second oldest town in the United States. It was founded by the Spanish in 1607 13 years before the pilgrims discovered Plymouth Rock. Evidence of the strong and colorful characters who formed Sante Fe's history is still available throughout the town and its museums.

The gambling salon run by Doa Tules during the heyday of the Sante Fe trail is now a hotel and restaurant. St. Francis Cathedral commissioned by Archbishop Lamy and built in 1869 houses the oldest wooden Madonna (circa 1625) known to exist. The Loretto Chapel, with its "miraculous staircase," build by a mysterious carpenter, is just off of the plaza.

The Indian pueblo dwellers were established long before the Spanish arrived.

The Taos pueblo dates back nearly 1,000 years, long before Columbus discovered America and hundreds of years before Europe emerged from the Dark Ages.

There are now approximately 150 full-time residents within the pueblo who still live traditional lifestyles, governed by a tribal governor and war chief and their staff, who are appointed by the Tribal Council. The adobe homes are without plumbing and electricity. The individual homes are built side by side and in layers, with common walls but no connecting doorways.

Pueblo dances are religious ceremonies. Visitors are expected to provide the same reverence to them that one would give at a church service. It is inappropriate to talk to the dancers, jump in front of them for a picture or otherwise disrupt the event.

Do not applaud after the dance. Permission should be received before taking pictures of individuals.

Sante Fe is a city filled with art galleries and museums. The courtyards with their flower gardens are beautiful backgrounds for the unique, awe-inspiring sculptures found throughout. It is truly a happy place, surrounded by so much beauty.

The plaza hosts many outdoor concerts and impromptu dances. The area is filled with wonderful and varied restaurants.

Breakfast burritos are wonderful at Tia Sophia's. Santacafe, The Bull Ring, and Coyote Caf are a few of the many great places for dinner.

There are so many wonderful places for lunch with outdoor seating all along the Plaza and Canyon Road shopping areas.

The nightly entertainment in the La Fonda lounge is a good way to continue the festive mood set by the free spirits in the Plaza.

Other options are to sign up for a cooking class at the Sante Fe School of Cooking. Each class lasts about two hours. Details and a calendar can be found at www.santefeschoolofcook

ing.com.

Several natural hot springs bath resorts are accessible from Sante Fe. They were originally a draw for healing, but they are also appreciated for their relaxing and rejuvenating effect.

Two restaurants in Taos I would highly recommend are the Apple Tree and, for a really special treat, Villa Fontana. The local artist R. C. Gorman sometimes frequents Villa Fontana. It is rated one of the top Italian restaurants in the United States. Its specialties are dishes prepared with wild mushrooms.

If you are in Taos on Friday evening, a fun place to start your evening is at The Historic Taos Inn. Get a front table at the outdoor caf, and be entertained by the "Friday-night-date-night" locals who cruise up and down this main road.

Accommodations in Taos are varied, with a large offering of wonderful bed-and-breakfast options.

(Linda Strait is president of House of Travel Inc., a full-service travel agency in Springfield.)