Santa Fe

Santa Fe is my new spiritual resting place. The energy I hoped to find in Sedona apparently left there some time ago. It's been replaced by quacks who sell everything from t-shirts to enlightenment. The only thing I enjoyed was the place we stayed...Star Motel...funky, sweet and inexpensive. Donna and I were so excited about getting there, but once we walked around and got the feel of the place, it was like a kick in the gut. We drove around town to a few of the special places looking for spiritual energy, but there was none to be found. The Cathedral Rock was pretty, but didn't compare with the serene beauty of The Arches. We looked for a vortex which we were told was the strongest in the area, but when we asked the park ranger if it was near by, she said, "so they say" and pointed to the path we should take to look for it. We asked several folks along the way and no one knew anything about it. Finally, one lady told us she thought it was a little further down the path, but to watch out because she had just seen a rattle snake there. Well, trust me, if I have to encounter a rattle snake to find spiritual enlightenment, I'm just going to have to pass on that particular opportunity.

Now, get this....as we were leaving town (at a snail's pace because of traffic) there was a cowboy gunfight show going on right in the middle of town. The cowboys were shouting at each other and then they started shooting at each other. Literally, we left Sedona with the sounds of gunshot. WTF???

To be totally fair to Sedona, we did visit the beautiful chapel which is built into red rock and it is truly an incredibly holy place. We went in and just sat for a while and soaked in all the peace and beauty. It's located a short distance from town and the views of the red rocks were spectacular.

In talking with a couple folks about our Sedona experience, we were told that, essentially, the energy has moved from Sedona because of the over-commercialization. I perfectly agree and it saddens me to, once again, see the soulless raping of our Mother Earth. Even the holy church grounds have been compromised by a hugely ostentatious house right across the street. I thought it was a hotel, but it's a single family residence. You have to wonder what kind of an ego a person must have to think it's ok to build his mansion in a place that is so obstructive and shows such disdain for everyone else. Personally, I would hate to have their karma.

Traveling out of Sedona towards the Grand Canyon, we went down a narrow, winding mountain road that had no rails on the side...aarrgg! We stopped at a little rest place and met some folks who told us how horribly crowded and hot it was at the Canyons. That did it for me. I was sick of winding mountain roads, and really was going to the Grand Canyon because everyone told me I needed to see it and I figured it was my duty as an American citizen or something along that line. Donna had already seen it and we made an instant decision to get the hell out of AFZ and head to New Mexico. My heart felt ever so much lighter after that decision.

So, we got on I-40 and made a beeline to a cute little town called Gallup, New Mexico. We went to the town square to watch the weekly performance of Native Americans...this week was the Zuni women dancers and they were great. Danced with bowls on their heads! There, in this quiet little town, listening to these beautiful women, I found the spiritual connection I was looking for...these were my people. I just love that feeling of being in a place and knowing that I'm right where I'm supposed to be. We stayed at the Comfort Inn, very nice, clean and inexpensive, and right next to the Olympic Restaurant which had great food and cheap, good wine. Hallelujah!

Beautiful drive into Santa Fe this morning...some rain which produced the most beautiful cloud show I've seen in a long time. As soon as we hit Santa Fe, we fell in love. The people..the energy...the beauty...the cool weather..the air...the spirit. I'm thinking they knew what they were talking about when the named this state the Land of Enchantment. I am truly enchanted.

Looking forward to tomorrow and all the special places we'll discover right here in glorious Santa Fe.