in the Galisteo River watershed between Albuquerque and Santa Fe

Mai and I ventured up the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market this Saturday morning on Interstate 25.  We came home the long way through the rolling terrain along the Galisteo River watershed.  It is one of the most spacious, imaginatively configured landscapes I’ve encountered.  Reality transfigured.

there’s a humble majesty alive and well in New Mexico

A few people live out here but you’d want to keep a local life grounded in place. I definitely will do some riding here.

The food traditions in New Mexico run deep and there are so many cross cultural currents.  The vivid displays of food at the market reminded me of my first trip to Japan when Mai took me to the Kanazawa morning seafood market.  New Mexicans place supreme value on fresh food and try to eat directly from the local land.  It tastes amazingly good, and ties your spirit in with place.

the market takes place at the train depot in Santa Fe, “the railyard”

the fragrance of roasting chili draws you in

everybody’s food is unpacked from a pick up truck. Wonder if anyone could bring their haul to market in a cargo trailer pulled by bike. I’m for hire, the tractor guy

the Star G honey man from Mosquero has sweet stuff. Mai sampled four flavors and bought the autumn mountain wildflower. honey flavor depends in part on the flowers they are pollinating

walking is the way at the Farmer’s Market

What is land good for?  For one it provides the elemental fuel for all human activities.  It also provides a measure of our inheritance which seems not an entitlement we have the liberty to waste wantonly.  Different locales hold unique ecological stories.  Wild places can be visited and admired but if you try to own it or sell it that sometimes intangible integrity erodes or vanishes all together.  You can nurture life on the land and taste the land’s story through food!  I’m grateful there are many places that have good integrity to enhance strength in our bodies and exude tranquility to fortify our spirit and find our compass directions in life.

Galisteo Basin trees

this place is good