Thursday 15th May

Left Blue Swallow for santa fe going via highway 104 as recommended by Bill. Supposed to be a prettier route and safer, but it was raining as we left and it just got worse and worse! The higher we climbed, the colder it was and the rain turned to hail. We were the only ones out in it and just prayed we didn't break down or there was a thunderstorm. We had to stop after 4o miles as we were so cold, no cafe so stopped at post office in the middle of nowhere. The postmistress not only gave us permission to stay and thaw out, but made us hot chocolate to boot! Reluctantly we put our wet gear back on and returned to the open (very) road. The second half was even worse than the first, the wind getting ever stronger, so had the chill factor aswell, the temperature was 0 deg.c! We had b een told there were no drop offs, so JC would be ok, but, lo and behold around a tight bend there was a wall of rock with hairpins winding up and rocks strewn in the middle of the roadway. JC was not a happy bunny! We made it though, but very slowly. To reach the top was a relief. We continued on (no choice) to Las Vegas NM for a lunch stop. Went into Dick's Deli, which was absolutely brilliant - they happily let us drip all over their floor and bar stools! We had one of the best meals we have had so far.
Girded our loins for the last 60 miles to Santa Fe, luckily the weather had improved marginally and so the last bit wasn't that bad in comparision. Arrived at the hotel in time for afternoon tea and sherry - how very English!
Discovered the cocktail bar and settled in for the evening! We really, really deserved it, trust us!
It was a pity the weather was so bad that we couldn't take photos or film of the stunning scenery we passed through. Just like the western movies of old, you could easily imagine the Indians looking down from the bluffs onto the Cavalry (us) as they passed below across the plains.