Curiosity, Comfort Food & Cuddles
📍 Written from: Santa Fe, NM - USA
Weekly Adventures
Our first visit to Meow Wolf felt like stepping into an interactive mystery party—shared with dozens of other curious visitors. Each room pulled us deeper into its vibrant, whimsical world, with surprises around every corner. It was like a never-ending puzzle that kept our curiosity soaring, making it a wild and fun experience we won’t soon forget. As branding nerd, I could not stop taking in all the user experiences I witnessed from the guests around me. I loved watching how people of all ages interacted with the various doors, weird gadgets, secret tunnels, and all the wacky elements that surrounded us.
After expanding all our energy is the House of Eternal Return from Meow Wolf, we returned to La Fogata, a gem we discovered on a food tour earlier in the week. It was too good to pass up a second time! We scored an unbeatable deal of 12 tacos for $40 (can you believe it?!), enjoying carnitas, steak, and pork. Each bite was delicious, but what made the meal unique for us was trying the bean stew with pork—something totally new for us. Paired with the refreshing Mandarin Jarritos and the lively tunes of a mariachi band, our dinner turned into a fun date night.
Of course we needed dessert so we ended the evening at a local Churro Bar owned by Chef Gerardo, where we got to meet the man behind it all. We ordered Flights of Churros (this is my kind of flight!), each trying a different set, and of course, we had to share! Every flavor was thoughtfully designed—some were sweet like cheesecake, while others had a nutty smoothness. You could taste the care and passion in each churro, making every bite an unforgettable treat. Chef Gerardo’s story, from crafting churros in his garage to having a food truck and then to owning a full restaurant, was just as inspiring as the desserts themselves. With Dirk and I each being business owners, we appreciate and respect all the effort that goes into bringing your vision to life.
We also had the chance to visit the historic Loretto Chapel this week, and getting to walk back into history was truly fascinating. The highlight was seeing the famed Loretto staircase, an architectural marvel with no center pole or visible support. Scientists and engineers still can’t figure out what holds it up, which is why it’s called the Miracle Staircase. The story goes that the nuns prayed to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, and a mysterious man appeared to build the staircase before vanishing without a trace. The beauty and mystery surrounding the chapel added an extra layer of awe to our visit. It’s wonderful to see our Catholic faith work in mysterious ways for our community.
As we neared the weekend, we finally felt like mini locals when we ran into our friend Pete (in his cool cowboy hat) at the local Iconik Coffee Roaster. It was great to see a friendly face and have a nice coffee chat with Pete about our experiences with life and travel. Pete is such an amazing person, and we’re so glad we met him in New Mexico.
Bite-Sized Reviews: Radish & Rye
Radish & Rye delivered an unforgettable dining experience where hospitality truly shined. From the warm welcome at the front door to the attentive service throughout our evening, every detail felt they were personally looking out for you. The locally sourced dishes are crafted with care, and the staff’s knowledge and attentiveness elevated our experience. It’s a place where phenomenal food and exceptional service came together perfectly. This date night was extra special for us, especially after a more intense work week than usual. Can any fellow business owners and entrepreneurs relate?!
Weekend Wanderlust
We were hit with some of the heaviest rain (sounds like it broke some record breaking numbers), and we heard every bit of it! The loud wind battered this cute little casita throughout day and the night, making it hard to sleep with the pouring rain, thunder, and flashes of lightning up in the sky. The stormy weather kept us indoors (other than running out for some groceries), so we embraced it by grabbing our blankets, throwing on sweatpants, and hunkering down for movie and game nights. Despite the storm, it was comforting to be curled up on the couch together as a family. Boomer, our king of cuddles, made himself right at home, especially in our bed, snuggling up in Dirk's sweatshirt and new poncho.
It slowly started to clear up on Sunday, so we attended morning Mass at the beautiful Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mass was extra special because we met Monsignor Desmond O'Connor, a visiting priest from New York. He was incredibly kind and gave us a tour of the Shrine, while also sharing his wealth of knowledge on Church history.
Once Monsignor Desmond sent us off, we explored this part of town and visited another Iconik Coffee location. I was thawing out my hands with a hot cup of Rosella tea and Dirk ordered the opposite, a Mango-Peach Breakfast Lassi smoothie. They were the perfect treat as we kept walking around and the sun started to appear. We ended up walking into a consignment store, Double Take, as I was drawn in with the art mural by the door. Then that paired with the gorgeous leather boots all lined up caught my attention so I wanted to see if they just might have my size. And what do you know? They did and they had the two toned colors I was looking for!
