Embracing Santa Fe

Doc Murray of Santa Fe
I met Doc on my first trip to Santa Fe in 2009. He was a kind and quirky man, and we had a wonderful afternoon with good coffee and interesting conversation. RIP Doc. Photograph, Ann Fisher.

Each time I return to New Mexico, my affection for this state grows.

It really started on my second trip in 2009, when I visited Santa Fe and did many of the standard things one does around the square. Saw the Cathedral, had lunch, hit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

During one long summer afternoon, I tucked into a coffee shop to get out of the noon-day heat and to do some writing. I was the only customer there, and before long, I was visiting with the barista who looked to be in his late thirties, a native American named De.

An old man swung in through the door.

“Hi, Doc. How’s the day?”

“Good enough, De. But I’m wanting some coffee.”

Doc looked like he came straight out of central casting. Film order: we need a quirky old man to play a part in a Coen brothers film set it Santa Fe.

Check. Enter Doc Murray.

Doc’s grey-and-white beard was lush and his eyebrows had a life of their own. He wore a neat chambray shirt and jeans. A wide leather bracelet on his left wrist was secured with three buckled straps, and he had heavy silver rings on his fingers. A fur hat-band and a tail adorned his felt hat. It may have been a fox’s tail. I don’t remember, and it doesn’t really matter anymore anyway.

He paused and tipped his hat to me. “Seems the neighborhood is improving.”

“We’ve been invaded,” De said. “She’s from Texas.”

I laughed, shook his hand, and introduced myself.

We passed a couple of hours talking about the state of the world, Texas, and New Mexico. About tourism and Santa Fe, and how the city had changed over Doc’s lifetime. About De, working as a barista to make some extra cash, and what he might do next, and about the difficulties that came along with being Native American.

Doc and I had another coffee, and De joined in. The two told me about the best route to drive to Taos, and talked about the high mountain meadows, and how pretty they’d be covered in grass flowers.

Near the end of our visit, Doc turned his head to look at someone passing on the street, and I saw the picture — his profile lit.

I have a hard time asking people to pose. But I did ask, and Doc, quite accommodating, looked at me and smiled. I have that picture, and it’s not bad. But then I asked him to turn just slightly towards the window and to hold very, very still.

So here is my Doc Murray. On a quiet afternoon in the heat of the summer, there was this moment, and I was honored to capture it.

By the end of the afternoon, Doc and De said I’d be welcome to move to Santa Fe anytime I wanted. And they wouldn’t even hold it against me that I was a Texan.

I found the wildflowers on my way to Taos.

Expedia.com

Santa Fe, Again

I might have stayed in many places in Santa Fe. I chose to stay in a Tiny House in an RV park, right next to my good friend Joyce.

I’ve been to Santa Fe before and done the whole nice-hotel-near-the-square thing. For this trip, I looked at renting a casita near the square through VRBO — and there are some lovely ones . . . but in the end, I wanted to visit with my friend above anything else. Besides, I’ve been intrigued with the whole Tiny House movement, and I thought it would be fun.

My cabin at the Los Suenos RV Park. Always fun to try something new.
My cabin at the Los Suenos RV Park. Always fun to try something new. So, what did I think? The cabin was cute and comfortable, and the folks at Los Suenos were friendly. Here’s the thing, though. If you are planning to stay in Santa Fe for a month, the rate is very good. Anything less than that, and frankly, I would rent a house in closer to the square. You can get something more interesting for the same price.

Joyce and I cooked, visiting back and forth in our tiny houses. We tried new recipes out on one another. I rose early in my tiny house to write while she slept late in hers. Then  we would convene for a museum visit or a ramble downtown, followed by a great meal. I love green chile sauce.

We spent two days on Museum Hill, exploring the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian and the Museum of International Folk Art. Both of these museums were outstanding: great collections beautifully displayed. We had two meals at the Museum Hill Cafe that were outstanding — and what beautiful views across the valley towards the mountains!

What was I most excited about? Returning to the Georgia O’Keeffe museum.

I See You

Tony Vaccaro’s 1960 photograph of Georgia O’Keeffe, holding her Pelvis Series, Red and Yellow, painted in 1945.

“Art can die of overfamiliarity.” — Jay Tolson

What happens when we can no longer see a painting, because it has become as common as the McDonald’s logo?

In a 2005 article for U.S. News and World Report, Jay Tolson makes the point that O’Keeffe’s flowers and skulls are “images that have been ‘posterized’ to the point of invisibility.”

Humans filter out noise – both visual and aural. We have to — otherwise we’d be overwhelmed. O’Keeffe’s flowers and skulls, Monet’s bridge at Giverny, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa . . . pick any over-reproduced work of art you’d like — all of them can turn into background wallpaper.

I was guilty of this with Georgia O’Keeffe’s work.

In an undergraduate class in 20th century American art, I had studied several of her paintings, but I didn’t know very much about her. Frankly, I wasn’t that interested.

I hadn’t looked closer – I’d just written her off.

Verandah of the Adobe and Pines Inn in Taos New Mexico
I sat for hours on the verandah at the Adobe and Pines in reading the O’Keeffe biography. Photograph, Ann Fisher

My first visit to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum changed my perception and understanding of the artist — and made me come into her work in a visceral and meaningful way I had not anticipated.

That first day in the O’Keeffe Museum, it was her abstract paintings that were the initial hook in for me. I simply and suddenly saw all of her work with new eyes, and I was excited.

I left the museum with Portrait of an Artist: A Biography of Georgia O’Keeffe, which I took to Taos and read for long hours. This book by Laurie Lisle is well-written and an easy read, and I found myself immersed in the stormy and passionate relationship between O’Keeffe and Stieglitz.

I realized that I had never really known Georgia O’Keeffe. And the woman I came to know, I like so very much.

I feel a kinship with her, with her passionate feelings about the big, western landscape of Ghost Ranch, seeing in it all of the feelings I’ve had out in Big Bend west Texas — a compulsion that drove me out to the big sky time and again over the last twenty-five years.

It was a great joy to return to the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, which is an intimate space, all simple white.

When it opened in 1997, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum owned fewer than 100 works by the artist. In 2006, the Georgia O’Keeffe Foundation dissolved and transferred all of its artwork to the museum. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum now owns 1,149 works by O’Keeffe, which represents more than half of her artistic output, as well as 1,840 works by other artists and photographers. Only a fraction of the collection is on display at any time.

Additionally, the museum owns both of her houses — the house at Abiquiu, and the house at Ghost Ranch. Visitors can see O’Keeffe’s house at Abiquiu, but only by reserving space on a limited number of tours. The house at Ghost Ranch is not currently open to the public, but will be at some point in the future. Those wanting to see the house at Abiquiu MUST plan ahead; go to Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Tickets and Tours to read about the three different options.

Georgia O'Keeffe in chemise, 1918. Photograph, Alfred Stieglitz.
Georgia O’Keeffe in chemise, 1918. Photograph, Alfred Stieglitz.
Two galleries at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum owns more than half of all work created by the artist. Photographs, Ann Fisher.


Expedia.com

Finding Ghost Ranch

We took a day trip to Ghost Ranch, and I got my foot caught in the door —  I had arrived at one of those unexpected places that just blew me away and that I didn’t want to leave.

When we dropped down from the plateau at Abiquiu, the Pedernal lay to my left, quiet and blue. An orange, yellow, and purple rockscape stretched in front of me. Before we reached the gravel road for the ranch, the road turned us through towering red rock cliffs.

Cerro Pedernal Abiqui New Mexico

It caught my breath. My heart expanded and I thought I might cry.

When we stopped at the Visitor’s Center at Ghost Ranch, I immediately booked a room for later in the week. Before we left, I stopped again and asked if I could stay two nights instead of just one.

Panoramic view, looking towards the red rock formations at Ghost Ranch.
Panoramic view, looking towards the red rock formations at Ghost Ranch. Photograph, Ann Fisher.

At the end of my two days, I was not ready to leave, but the clock was ticking.

I had reached my furthest point out, that point where you can go no further, stay no longer, and still make it back in time. In time for whatever holds you.

All road trips have those points.

With Ghost Ranch in my rearview mirror, I began my way back, then stopped in the post office in Abiquiu and sent a tiny O’Keeffe to a friend.

O'Keeffe Gift Card

 


Ghost Ranch is an Education and Retreat Center that has been owned by the Presbyterian Church for over 55 years. They offer many different kinds of workshops and retreats, but visitors can also simply book a room. There are two museums, trail riding, hiking trails, and guided tours — one of my favorites being a tour through many of the landscapes Georgia O’Keeffe painted.

My return is already planned. I go back to Ghost Ranch in seven days, and yes, I will share that visit with you in my third article on New Mexico, focused on Ghost Ranch.

Embracing Santa Fe is the second in a series of three posts on New Mexico.

The first is Road Trip to New Mexico:

Screenshot of post Road trip to New Mexico

And you’ll find the third part in the series here:


Ann in Castolon in Big Bend National Park. Photograph, Jim Stevens

Thank you for visiting! 

I’m writing and traveling full-time now, and if you like my work, please subscribe to my blog via email.

 

Ann Fisher

Writer, traveler, and cancer fighter. Get out there and live life!

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31 thoughts on “Embracing Santa Fe

  1. On the Road Again - Ann Cavitt Fisher May 16, 2018 at 7:55 am

    […] Check. Enter Doc Murray.  [Read more] […]

    Reply
  2. 2017 NATJA Gold and Bronze Award Winning Articles on AnnCavittFisher.com – Ann Cavitt Fisher February 8, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    […] Doc looked like he came straight out of central casting. Film order: we need a quirky old man to play a part in a Coen brothers film set it Santa Fe. Link to Embracing Santa Fe. […]

    Reply
  3. Embracing Santa Fe… – Michael Jackson July 10, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    […] via Embracing Santa Fe — Ann Cavitt Fisher […]

    Reply
  4. jenruizwriter May 30, 2017 at 9:08 am

    Doc seems like such as a character! You really captured his essence with your photo. And I would love to tour the O’Keefe artwork in the area! What a great trip 🙂

    Reply
    1. Ann May 30, 2017 at 9:24 am

      Yes, Doc lived in Santa Fe for a long time and was well known by many residents. I’ve heard that you had to take many things Doc said with a grain of salt, but visiting with him was very enjoyable.

      Reply
  5. Allison Wong May 30, 2017 at 8:37 am

    Love how you narrate your stories at Santa Fe! Museum Hill is so interesting I hope to visit too!

    Reply
  6. Cat May 29, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    I felt the same way towards many artists – I “saw” their paintings because they are famous, but never really go into depth to understand the story behind it. You make me rethink my attitude towards arts and change how I view it the next time I see an art piece!

    Reply
    1. Ann May 29, 2017 at 5:21 pm

      I think most of life is like that for us. We can’t focus on everything – it would make us crazy — but then when I do slow down, look, and think, I suddenly see all kinds of things that I’ve glossed over.

      Reply
  7. Eat Well Explore Often May 28, 2017 at 9:56 pm

    I haven’t been to Santa Fe yet, but it sounds like a wonderful place to be! I’m also interested in the tiny home movement. Sounds like you had a wonderful stay!

    Reply
    1. Ann May 28, 2017 at 11:04 pm

      It was a good stay. I’d do it again, but for a stay shorter than a month, I think you could find a more interesting house through Home Away or VRBO for the same price, and closer to downtown.

      Reply
  8. Jenn and Ed Coleman May 26, 2017 at 1:06 am

    I was reading your story until I came across New Mexican green chili sauce. Then, I began to taste your story. To smell your story. To live your story. The memories of Santa Fe and the Camino Real came rushing back to me. Instead of a flat backdrop for Breaking Bad I was living and breathing in the land of enchantment. It’s amazing how many memories can be link to a little carne verde.

    Reply
    1. Ann May 26, 2017 at 6:06 am

      Food does that, doesn’t it? Green chilis are a big part of my food memories in New Mexico, and just thinking about it evokes all kinds of feelings.

      Reply
  9. Susan Ripley May 25, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    Those moments when you connect with locals are often the most memorable and important moments of traveling. I underestimated this until I revisited Guatemala last year. The first time I liked it, of course, but didn’t fall in love. The second time, I left being head over heels for the country because of all the interesting people I met and connected with. It’s great to hear other’s stories about people they meet while traveling! Also that photo of Doc is just beautiful.

    Reply
    1. Ann May 26, 2017 at 6:20 am

      Thank you! I think it’s definitely connecting with the people in a place that turn travel into a life altering experience. Doc was quite a character. I’m glad I wandered into the coffee shop that afternoon.

      Reply
  10. Travel Transmissions (@ttransmissions) May 23, 2017 at 9:29 am

    There truly is something so incredibly beautiful in these southwestern deserts. It cracks me up that being a Texan is too much of an outsider in this part of the world. Don’t the lands in far western Texas pretty much add up to the same thing? Unfortunately I wouldn’t know since I’ve never been!

    Reply
    1. Ann May 23, 2017 at 2:01 pm

      Oh, yeah — it’s a thing. Of course it’s in jest now, but may come from the fact that part of New Mexico was territory that Texas wrested from the Mexican government when it became a republic, but Texas never had the military power to control the area around Santa Fe.

      Reply
  11. Browsing the Atlas May 22, 2017 at 6:40 am

    You’re right — Doc does look like he was sent in from central casting. The photo you took is incredible! I don’t know much about Georgia O’Keefe, either. It’s definitely one of the things I’d most like to see in Santa Fe. Thanks for all the insight!

    Reply
    1. Ann May 22, 2017 at 2:41 pm

      Yes, Doc had a big personality. It was a fun afternoon!

      Reply
  12. dray0308 April 3, 2017 at 9:17 am

    Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often and commented:
    Ann Cavitt Fisher!

    Reply
    1. Ann April 3, 2017 at 2:48 pm

      Danny, as always, thank you :-).

      Reply
      1. dray0308 April 3, 2017 at 6:07 pm

        You are most welcome!

        Reply
  13. Manja Mexi Movie April 2, 2017 at 8:09 am

    An excellent rendering of emotions, I could feel them all too.

    Reply
    1. Ann April 2, 2017 at 8:42 am

      Thank you — I’m glad. When I feel something about a place, it makes me want to share that. Happy when it works :-).

      Reply
  14. Road Trip to New Mexico – Ann Cavitt Fisher March 31, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    […] this is the first of three posts on my trip to New Mexico. You’ll find the second part, Embracing Santa Fe, […]

    Reply
  15. dfolstad58 March 31, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    Santa Fe is one of the places I would enjoy visiting in the US, even the name attracts me. Thanks for sharing your meeting with Doc and the photos. Enjoyable post!

    Reply
    1. Ann March 31, 2017 at 4:07 pm

      Wonderful :-). I obviously like it a lot – and happy to share.

      Reply
  16. fearlessinjesuschrist March 31, 2017 at 3:19 pm

    I love Santa Fe! I had a good friend many years ago that kidnapped me for a birthday weekend unbeknownst to me. I had no idea where were going. I agree the Georgia Okeefe museum is pretty awesome as well!

    Reply
    1. Ann March 31, 2017 at 3:51 pm

      What a wonderful surprise — very thoughtful birthday gift :-).

      Reply
      1. fearlessinjesuschrist March 31, 2017 at 3:52 pm

        Yes it was!

        Reply
  17. lorriedeck March 31, 2017 at 2:40 pm

    I love this. I felt like I was there with you.

    Reply
    1. Ann March 31, 2017 at 3:50 pm

      Thank you, Lorrie — that makes me happy. They are special places.

      Reply

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