🎄 Christmas Trip to ABQ & Santa Fe (Part 3️⃣)

1️⃣ From Petrified Forest to Albuquerque After exploring Petrified Forest National Park, we drove to ABQ—New Mexico’s largest city. Beyond Breaking Bad landmarks, Old Town ABQ is a gem! 🏺 Local gift shops + Native artisan stalls selling turquoise jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets) at fair prices. Turquoise lovers, don’t miss this! 💙 2️⃣ Sandia Peak Tramway… or Not? 😅 Bought 3-5 PM tram tickets for sunset views… but ended up waiting 2 hours in freezing wind! 🥶 Protest-worthy logistics: They oversold tickets, causing insane delays. Silver lining: Caught stunning dusk hues from the mid-mountain (Pics 1-3). Outcome: Demanded (and got) a full refund after dark. Skip this—hike or drive up instead! 🚗💨 Night drive to Santa Fe: Just 1 hour—easy! 3️⃣ Santa Fe: Adobe Art & Magic Staircases 🎨 Artsy Vibe: The city breathes creativity—galleries everywhere! 📍 Loretto Chapel: Paid $5 to see the "Miraculous Staircase"—a 360° spiral with zero supports (handmade by a mysterious carpenter!). 📍 San Miguel Chapel: Oldest church in the U.S. Ring its 200-year-old bell and step on original Pueblo foundations. ⛪🔔 🍽️ Food Highlights 🌯 ABQ - Dion’s Local chain with killer pizza, subs, and meatballs. 🍕🤤 🌮 Santa Fe - La Choza Wildly popular—arrived at 6:30 PM, faced a 2-hour wait. Opted for takeout: ✔ Blue Corn Enchiladas (stuffed with beef = heaven). ✔ Burrito (massive and flavorful). ✔ FREE Sopaipilla (like a honey-drizzled fry bread—unexpected MVP!). 🍯🔥 #ABQ #SantaFe #NewMexicoTravel #ChristmasGetaway #TurquoiseShopping #AdobeMagic #FoodieFailsAndWins