geronimo restaurant | santa fe, nm

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As you know, we have a "meals of a lifetime" list on the Mr.&Mrs.H Guide. Many factors can make a meal unforgettable. It doesn't have to be the best fine dining establishment you've ever been to, it could be a dive with unforgettable fresh seafood, or really amazing company around the table. There are so many aspects outside of the meal itself that make a meal unforgettable. But, at Geronimo Restaurant in Santa Fe the "it factor" was definitely the food. 

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Now, the other factors were there as well... the company was amazing (some of the most precious people in my life were seated around me); I was in one of my favorite cities, Santa Fe, New Mexico; and, the restaurant is house in a home built in 1756 (which was the cherry-on-top because I have a nerdy level of obsession with history and architecture). The interiors are wonderful as well. The restaurant is warm and intimate, so true to place, and amazing art hangs on the walls (but, I wouldn't expect less in the art capital of the South West). 

Still, the. food.  I can't say enough. You can't go wrong. I loved everything, but my one piece of advice is listen to the wait staff... Mr. H did and he "won" on each course. (We have ordering battles where we go around and taste each person's choice to see who had the best one.) Even though all of our choices were to die for, Mr. H was hands down the winner. If you're not convinced already, it's so good I'd make a trip to Santa Fe just for a meal at Geronimo. However, Santa Fe is so wonderful you don't have to twist my arm to get me to make a trip to that enchanting city.

-mrs.h 

inn of the anasazi | santa fe, nm

The first time Mr. H and I went to Santa Fe we were in the middle of our move to California. Santa Fe was our last stop before we made it to Cali. The reality of moving was starting to hit me. I remember pulling into Santa Fe feeling excited terrified about what was ahead. (Our decision to move ended up being great, but cold feet started setting in near the NM state line.) Santa Fe ended up being the perfect place for me to work through these fears because Santa Fe is a place of such freedom, beauty, lightness, and rest. It is hands down one of my favorite cities in the US. Not only do I love the atmosphere, but the adobe architecture, art, and history all make Santa Fe unlike anywhere in the world. 

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We stayed at the Inn of the Anasazi. It will forever hold a special place in my heart because it felt like my last escape before reality hit. I love the aesthetic of the high-desert and the Inn of the Anasazi captures it beautifully with it's sculpted fire places and southwestern decor (even the bath amenities smell and feel like Santa Fe). 

This 58 room boutique hotel is situated in the heart of the city. And, it's in walking distance from so many beautiful sights including one of my favorite museums in the US... the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. If you've never been, it's a must. It's not only beautiful, but it also gives you an appreciation of the area from the eye of an artist who loved it. 

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If you need an escape from reality this summer, I would highly suggest Santa Fe. It was the perfect place for us to rest and get ready for the adventure ahead!

-mrs.h

get your kicks on route 66

I'm sure you've noticed by now that we're really into "dreams" here at mr.&mrs.h. I have an amazing mom--she's fun, wild, full of adventure and life. One of the things on her dream list was to road trip across the country, drive down Route 66 and stay at one of the nostalgic motor courts that still dot the highway. When Mr. H and I moved to Cali, it provided the perfect opportunity for her dream to come true.

We first hit the "Main Street of America" (Route 66) in Amarillo, Texas. No, George Strait, we didn't make it by morning... at that point we'd been driving from Dallas and we still had a long way to go to get to our motel, The Blue Swallow, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. 

the Lone Star State

One of the more random sites we saw in Texas...

...yes these are mannequins in a convertible in someone's front yard 

(forgive the "from car photography")

Amarillo by evening

 Texas

The Blue Swallow is a place I would recommend to those looking for a little adventure and a lot of nostalgia... not to those looking for luxury. If you're looking for that, I have many suggestions, but Route 66 is probably not the place for you. The bedding was far from Egyptian cotton and we went to sleep with the glow of neon lights shining through the curtain. That being said, it was a night I will never forget. We woke up the next morning and the owners had a pot of coffee brewing for guests in the lobby next to the cigarette vending machine. We really did feel like we had stepped back in time. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

This beauty greeted us upon our arrival in Tucumcari

Refrigerated Air

The Blue Swallow's Lobby

Our room... with one car garage and glider swing

Our room's garage... complete with the Route 66 mural

 Morning on Route 66 - Tucumcari, NM 

From Tucumcari, we headed west to "the other Vegas"... Las Vegas, New Mexico. It's a small western town that was the home of Doc Holliday's dental office and one of Billy the Kid's "hang out" spots. I'm a lover of architecture and it's got a plethora of amazing (and well preserved) Old West homes, hotels, and buildings. We ate at Charlie's Spic and Span for breakfast--which had amazing sweets plus breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, and breakfast tacos. After filling ourselves with great treats, we were on our way to the Grand Canyon. But, that's a story for another day. Bottom line, if you've ever wanted to drive down the "Mother Road," I'd say go! It's not boutique luxury--not even close--but it is nostalgic, road-tripping adventure at it finest. As Nat King Cole advised, "If you ever plan to motor west; travel my way, take the highway that's the best; get your kicks on Route 66!"

On the road to Las Vegas, NM

 Off-roading to look at the road-side shrine

 road warriors 

our typical view from NM to CA

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Treats at Charlie's Spic and Span  

(I found the following map on google maps. It highlights "hotspots" along Route 66--including the Blue Swallow. We didn't use it on our trip, but if I did it again I'd definitely check out a few of these stops.)

-mrs.h