Locales That Inspired Prose

The open gates of Santuario de Chimayo (established 1816) welcome visitors along the High Road to Taos. Photo by Robert Burke.

This is a list of Santa Fe and Taos locations that inspired various scenes in "adobeDreams," in more-or-less chronological order as they appear in the novel. All excerpts are Copyright 2010 Robert Burke.

Cafe Pasqual's
Author's comment: A breakfast favorite, but get there early.
121 Don Gaspar Street at the intersection of Don Gaspar and Water Street
1.800.722.7672
www.pasquals.com
From the "Burro Alley" chapter:
"Abigail Regan stood on a street corner in Santa Fe, New Mexico, waiting for a man. She turned from the light and caught her reflection in the window of a small café facing Water Street."
Also, from the "Indian Market" chapter:
“...we had breakfast first.”
“The corner café on Don Gaspar at Water Street?”
“That’s the one. Their huevos rancheros are the best!”
“I guess he likes the place, because that’s where we met. On the corner.”

Canyon Road Art Galleries, "The Art and Soul of Santa Fe."
Author's comment: Always an enjoyable walk. I like the sculptures the best, but there's much, much more to see.
www.canyonroadarts.com
From the "Burro Alley" chapter:
"He looked at her bag and vest. 'You are a photographer? Have you visited the galleries along Canyon Road?'"

Burro Alley
Author's comment: Referenced multiple times in the novel.
Santa Fe visitor information may be found here: www.santafe.org
From the "Burro Alley" chapter:
"A statue of a burro with a load of firewood stood at the entrance, and Abigail allowed her fingers to float across its rear flank."

Arroyo Seco
www.visitseco.com
The small town of Arroyo Seco is located north of Taos on the way to the Taos Mountain ski area. From Taos, take Highway 64 north and then turn right (north) at NM-150.
From the "All Goodness and Light" chapter:

"Abigail’s earthenware mug had bands of brown, blue, yellow, and orange that flowed like mountains and clouds across its surface. A thumb groove dimpled one side and allowed for a better grip. She turned the mug in her hand and it was like watching a sunset. Caroline’s mug was similar, yet different.

“'These are handmade, aren’t they?' Abigail asked.

“'Raphael bought them from a craftsman in Arroyo Seco, just below Taos Mountain.'

"Abigail laughed. 'I can’t imagine Raphael shopping for stoneware!'

“'He likes them because there are no two alike. He says they are just like people that way.'”

Indian Market
Find information about the Santa Fe Indian Market here: www.swaia.org
From the "Indian Market" chapter:
"Abigail grasped Caroline’s hand and they walked to the Santa Fe Plaza and entered the Indian Market. Abigail couldn’t believe that she had forgotten all about attending the fair, one of the main objectives of her Santa Fe visit. That seemed like two lifetimes ago, and the woman who’d made those plans? She was now only a distant memory."

LaFonda Hotel
Author's comment: For dinner visit the lovely La Plazuela Restaurant inside the hotel. For rooftop margaritas visit the Bell Tower Bar.
www.lafondasantafe.com
From the "Indian Market" chapter:
"They...watched the sunset while sipping margaritas at a rooftop bar on top of a local hotel. The last rays of twilight cast a pink glow on clouds as they stood at the edge of the roof."

Norma Morgan boutique
Author's comment: I am unable to find a current link for the Norma Morgan boutique in Santa Fe so I can only assume that it changed names or is out of business. Nevertheless, this is the boutique I had in mind when I wrote the following line from the "Shadows" chapter:
"They stopped to admire a hand-painted silk ruana in the display of a small boutique on Water Street, and talked about returning another day."

The High Road to Taos
Author's comments: The high road to Taos is a must-do when visiting the Santa Fe region. A leisurely pace is recommended to allow stops at the Santuario de Chimayo and other attractions along the way.
Wikipedia article: wikipedia.org
From the "Taos" chapter:
"Sam drove the high road to Taos, up highway 503, then north on highway 520 through Chimayo, and on to highway 76 through Truchas and Las Trampas."

Rio Grande Gorge
Probably the best view of the Rio Grande Gorge is from the Rio Grande Gorge bridge located 10 miles northwest of Taos. It is the fifth highest bridge in the United States and makes a nice stop when you are in the Taos area. See: www.taosvacationguide.com
From the "Rio Grande Gorge" chapter:
"A few minutes before sunrise they broke out of the fog onto a rocky escarpment. The wide gash of a deep canyon cut through the desert running north. With the sun behind them, red alpenglow illuminated the opposite wall of the canyon and the desert in the distance.
“'Wow,' Abigail said. 'Tell me we didn’t run all the way to the Grand Canyon! We’re not in Arizona are we?'”

Coyote Cafe Cantina
www.coyotecafe.com
From the "Rogue" chapter:
"She found herself at a restaurant with a rooftop cantina, a few blocks off Sandoval."