I lived in Santa Fe for three years. Most of the houses are pueblo style - stucco and flat roof type things. It harkens back to the time when the white people were not there. Santa Fe, with a population of less than 50K (when I was there in the 1990s) is one of the smallest state capitols in the USA. There are still many active pueblos (not reservations) there and those folks co-mingled with the Spanish conquistadors many years ago. The northern New Mexico cuisine is not the Tex-Mex that many associate with the southwest. it is less spicy (unless you want it to be). When we lived there, there was a large increase in the population and the housing market was unusual. There are many folks who live in the area whose names you would recognize easily. That made the median value of a house quite high. In 1998, we purchased 'affordable' housing at $200K. 1998 folks! At 7000' we had to learn how to cook many things differently. At that altitude, we got snow during the winter, but it never melted, it evaporated. It was extremely dry. Moisturizer and lip balm were in the car, at my desk, at home, everywhere. It was a great three years, and we have returned to visit. But I don't want to live there again - it is just too expensive! If you are ever in the Santa Fe area (skiing, SF opera or for art walks) you gotta stop at the Bobcat Bite. You'll rave about it to everyone for many years. Jim

omgosh, I think you're right! I didn't know there was a wild variety. These are all over roadsides along here. I so want to get a picture of the sun shining through them, they really shine. Now, I'll have to make sure and pay attention next summer to see the flowers. I never noticed them flowering! And, about your lighthouse Casey.....that is something on my bucket list. I've never been up in a lighthouse! You really really take amazing pictures! What camera/lenses do you use?

Yes, it hangs in my home. Portraits of him, his sister, and his mother were all painted at the same time, and hung in his parents' home a long time ago. I'd lost track of them, and hadn't thought about his in years when my son found it in the barn! He hung it in my house without telling me that he'd found it. I came home that day and was doing something near the painting when it caught my eye. To say I was startled was an understatement! LOL

Mine is seeing something interesting outside.