Day 07 | Amarillo, TX to Santa Fe, NM

We *actually* left Texas today.

We went from flat (and I mean FLAT) farmland to plateaus, desert, and mountains. It was so vast and different. Absolutely stunning.

We actually got into Santa Fe relatively early. Since we couldn't check into the hotel right away, we charged the Tesla and then shot up to Chimayo. Let me tell you, The Santuario del Chimayo was incredible. Every step you take you can feel the energy of the Holy Spirit. I don't easily cry and I was brought to tears by the beauty and the power of that place. The history, the miracles and the peace there is unmatched. Tyler and I experienced a moment that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives...

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STATS & HIGHLIGHTS

Total Duration: 4 h 45 mins
Miles Traveled: 370
States Traveled Through: Texas (TX), New Mexico (NM)
Our Favorite Part Of The Day: Santuario del Chimayo
Our Least Favorite Part Of The Day: The spider in our bed & breakfast
Music:
- The final 3 albums of the Beatles' discography
Highlights/Observations Of The Day:
- We woke up and found a really cool (and delicious) coffee shop in Amarillo called Palace Coffee Co.
- We *almost* missed Cadillac Ranch on the way out of Amarillo... but we didn't! (it was so cold and windy that morning)
- We passed Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- There was a point where we could see the mountains of Colorado in the distance
- There was a point in the desert where we were on a 70 mph, one lane each way, road and we came to a complete stop. We opened the windows and sat there for a good 5 mins. No cars came in either direction. We've never experienced such quiet and peace.
- On our drive from Santa Fe up to Chimayo the desert looked dry, but driving back to Santa Fe, the desert hills were covered in snow
- We got to walk around Santa Fe (which was AWESOME). It's such a cool little town. We both agree we'd go back in a heartbeat.
- We saw a Sweeney Elementary School in Santa Fe!
- We passed a house with a peacock just casually strutting its stuff in the backyard
- We passed by a farm giving away free puppies... Tyler didn't let me get one...
- We visited the Santuario del Chimayo. It was one of the most powerful, spiritual, and bonding experiences we've experienced together. It was beautiful and the history and story behind it is astounding.
- We ate some authentic Mexican food at Los Magueyes - it was SO yummy.
- We stayed at the most amazing bed and breakfast. Wish we stayed longer and cannot recommend it enough. We'll definitely be going back (I linked it below)
Total Cost To Charge The Tesla:
- $36.91 (3 stops)
Where We Stayed:
- Amarillo, TX - Casa Culinaria - The Gourmet Inn . We CANNOT recommend this hotel more.
  - It was clean, service was so kind and accommodating, the place was beautiful, they gave you everything you needed, they paid great attention to detail, everything was high quality, and on top of it all, they serve gourmet breakfast (we didn't opt in for the breakfast this time as we were looking to get out early in the morning, but we definitely will next time).
  - I should mention, they do not allow kids so it is quiet and obviously not somewhere you would book for a family trip
  - Great location - it's within walking distance to downtown and its right next to an elementary school (not Sweeney...unfortunately LOL)
  - They provide private, off-street parking

RECOMMENDATIONS

Places To Eat:
- Palace Coffee Co. - We couldn't continue our journey without stopping for some coffee... and boy oh boy was it delicious! If you find yourself in Amarillo, make sure you go check out Palace coffee. It's such a cool space and the coffee was so good - I ordered a cappuccino with almond milk and 1 pump of lavender (SO yummy).
- Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant - I knew from the moment that New Mexico ended up on our route that we were going to need to get some authentic Mexican food when we were there. We were actually planning on going to a restaurant that was across the street but it ended up being closed. Los Magueyes was so good though. They were so sweet, we got SO much food for what we paid and it was all delicious. (Sidenote: If you end up going, make it a point to use the restrooms - they are covered from floor to ceiling in mirrors. Makes you feel like you're in a spaceship LOL)
- La Casa Sena Wine Shop - After dinner, we decided that it was probably in our best interest to walk around a bit. We wandered into the square downtown and stumbled on this little wine shop. It was so cute and rustic and they had a great selection!