Day 2 of Santa Fe!

Oh, the smell of coffee...my all time favorite is when Daddy wakes up earlier than mama and makes me my camping coffee! This time we had the luxury of using our electric Mr. Coffee vs. perculator, thanks to the full hookups!

After a warm breakfast of oatmeal and cereal it was off to Las Golondrinas, the recommendation of our son who went on a school field trip. Wow - What a delightful surprise! The original plan was to spend about 2 hours there...well, after almost 4 hours later we still couldn't get enough. We were blessed that hardly anyone was there, which allowed for some special one-on-one attention for our little family of 4!

El Rancho de las Golondrinas is a living history museum located on 200 acres in a rural farming valley just south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The museum, dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of 18th and 19th century New Mexico, opened in 1972. Original colonial buildings on the site date from the early 1700s. In addition, historic buildings from other parts of northern New Mexico have been reconstructed at Las Golondrinas. Villagers clothed in the styles of the times show how life was lived on the frontier in early New Mexico.

My kids had the opportunity to work hands on with fresh wool from a lamb/sheep and spin yarn and also saw a live demonstraion on a new re-created loom! The individual attention my kids received was incredible, what a great learning experience for not only them, but for us! It's a must for all NM families!

A variety of ways to spin!

This particular loom was pretty impressive!

These were taken inside the Baca family home/compound:

The chapel and country store near Manuel Baca's home:

Ya just can't get enough photos!

We were able to get a 4 tickets for the 1st 12 seats aboard the noon tour wagon pulled by 2 clydesdale horses! Our tour guide was full of information that made the journey so educational!

While on the wagon tour, we visited the Raton Old Schoolhouse, the Mora home and Grandmother's house and saw most of the buildings (next visit we'll make it a point to visit the other buildings and talk w/volunteers).

Old Schoolhouse

Teacher's room was next to the classroom!

Grandmother's House - the entrance and room doors were REALLY tiny...she had her bible by the window ready to read!

The Mora House, dining table and bedroom.

Can't forget ALL the POTTY BREAK trips da boy took to the Bano!
Here they go, here they pose, and here they leave los banos!

This was the perfect way to start our our day! Last photo taken at Las Golondrinas, me and my babies!