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Michael Umphrey

Sunrise Springs-The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

Sunrise Springs-The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

Sunrise Springs, located in the richly soiled region of the Rio Grande basin and La Cienega Valley, can be traced back as far as more than three thousand years. American Indians were attracted to the nourishing springs that seep throughout the valley where they took refuge under the high desert cottonwoods and willow trees at Sunrise Springs. This highly fertile land has always been used for raising gardens, sheep ranching and other livestock grazing. Pottery chards and stone foundations of nearby El Alamo and Las Golondrinas reveal a substantial history of the cultural settlement and trade in the La Cienega area.

By the time of the Spanish arrival in the late 16th century, there was mention of at least two large Indian Pueblos in La Cienega and La Cieneguilla. La Cienega continued to be inhabited through the 17th century by the Tano Indians. La Cieneguilla was abandoned by the Keres Indians in the early 1600’s but was subsequently reoccupied by the Spanish in the 1630’s.

By the early 17th century, Sunrise Springs had become a paraje, a resting place, on the original El Camino Real which was the last significant stage coach stopping place en route to Santa Fe from Mexico City and the first stop coming from Santa Fe. Here, next to a ranch then called El Alamo, travelers refreshed themselves with a hearty, simple meal while their stock was rested and was watered.

In 1902, the government patented Sunrise Springs to Juan B. Lamy. At that time, the land consisted of 64.22 acres and since has added five more acres. Juan is thought by folk historians to have been the adopted son of folk-figure Archbishop Lamy. The town Lamy in New Mexico is named for the Archbishop.

On March 12, 1906, the Sunrise Springs property was then sold to Jose and Carmelita Vieira. One of their sons, Francisco Vieira, was born in the house that is now the Blue Heron. His family still resides in La Cienega today. In 1935, Jose Vieira died, leaving his widow and eleven children at the mercy of the First National Bank. The Bank sued the heirs and sold the property by Special Master’s Deed to satisfy a mortgage.

Megan Hill's vision for her land has always been to preserve and protect the natural beauty of the grounds. Today, visitors to Sunrise Springs will find a tranquil oasis to retreat from their stressful everyday lives. An old hacienda has become the heart of the Blue Heron Restaurant. The former stagecoach stop is one of the many unique retreat spaces for private meetings and celebrations. The original adobe artist studios have magnificent views of the ponds while the thirty-two garden rooms are surrounded by uniquely designed southwestern and traditional meditative gardens. The lush solitude, which impressed the first Spanish settlers, still remains.

Sunrise Springs is currently listed for sale by Christine McDonald at 505.992.3594 and Michael D'Alfonso at 505.992.3579

242 Los Pinos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 Office: 505-471-3600 Fax: 505-471-7365 Toll Free: 800-955-0028

www.sunrisesprings.com

Tonia’s Monthly Teas - Sunday, January 22, 2012

Winter Tea Gathering

Come and be a guest in the tranquil setting of the Tea House at Sunrise Springs and savor the atmosphere and flavors of the tearoom in a winter tea gathering celebrating the Year of the Dragon. While the charcoal burns in the winter hearth, guests are invited to have a bowl of fragrant tea and a traditional Japanese sweet.

Guests signing up for the monthly teas do not need to have any guest or tea experience. Stools are provided for the comfort of those with difficulty sitting directly on the tatami mats. Please come and join us!

Fee: $12 Chado members, $15 non-members. Seating times are 1:00 and 3:00pm. Reservations are necessary, please contact Tonia by Email santafetonia@gmail.com or call 505-919-9277

Here is our son, Nick, serving tea at the Tea House. Hope to see you in the neighborhood.

Michael

Leaning on my staff, I watch the sky clearing after snow: layer upon layer of mountains, streams and mist.

-Chia Tao

A Tender Santa Fe Christmas

Christmas In Santa Fe, New Mexico

Christmas In Santa Fe

Tonia and I are planning again for Christmas In Santa Fe. We have put together these ideas for December the 22th, 23rd 24th, 25th and 26th. I thought it might help you with your holiday planning. Here is our agenda and I hope to see you. I’d love to hear what you’re doing.

Thursday 22

  • 6:30 – Santa Café 505.984.1788
  • 8pm – Jazz Music with the Pat Malone Trio at La Posada in the Staab House Salon

  • Saturday 24rd
  • Noon Lunch at Rancho de Chimayo 505.984.2100
  • 5pm. start Farolito Walk downCanyon Rd. Dress warm!

Dinner- Aqua Santa (451 W. Alameda 505.982.6297) for 7:00 pm. and lots of candlelight!

Sunday 25, Christmas Day

  • Xmas morning brunch: Bishop’s Lodge
  • Pueblo dances at Tesuque, or San Juan Pueblos
  • Dinner! - The Compound . - 653 Canyon Rd. 505.982.4353

Monday 26

  • Pueblo Turtle dances at San Juan Pueblo
  • Baroque Christmas Concert – 6 or 8 pm. Loretto Chapel $15-$65 call for reservations 505. 988.1234

More Christmas Ideas for Santa Fe:

Dinner Restaurants – Top 4 in Santa Fe

Geronimo’s – Simply elegant – 724 Canyon Rd. 982-1500

The Compound – Wonderful – 653 Canyon Rd. 982-4353

Restaurant Martin – great Chef! 526 Galisteo 820-0919

The Shed – 113 ½ E. Palace Ave -New Mexican Cuisine – Palace Ave. 982-9030

Lunch Restaurants

Santa Café – 984-1788

La Boca – Tapas, Wine, Lunch, Dinner 72 W. Marcy St. 982-3433

Il Piatto – Small Italian, with white tablecloths, bustling

95 W. Marcy St. 984-1091

Clafoutis – French country cuisine – 402 Guadalupe 988-1809

Vinagrette – Best salads in town! 709 Don Cubero Alley across from American Country Collections 820-9205

Body - vegan

Pranzo – Italian, cozy booths, great bread with dipping olive oils, calm and also open for dinner.

Tesuque Village Market – New Mexican cuisine – take the scenic drive to get there!

Plaza Café on the Plaza

Cocktails and Live Music

El Farol – Flamenco dancing, Spanish guitar 808 Canyon Rd. 983-9912

La Fonda Hotel Lobby – Spanish Guitar

Geronimo’s- Elegant

El Meson – tapas and tango dancing! 213 Washington Ave. 983-6756

Scenic Road trip to Chimayo ~ New Mexican traditional lunch and great margaritas at Rancho de Chimayo ~ 25 minute scenic drive

Hot Chocolate Elixirs at Kakawa Chocolate house~ made from 2000 year old Spanish recipes~ a must!

Here’s wishing you and your family a most Christmas.

Michael

House Raffle

House Raffle

The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico-House Raffle
I wanted to be sure you knew about the Desert Academy House Raffle. In order to raise scholarship money for families in need of financial aid, our school is raffling off a beautiful home near Old Town in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Old town is a quaint village of museums, restaurants, and gift shops only 10 minutes from the University of New Mexico, and about an hour drive from Santa Fe. This southwest style home features natural pine doors, exposed wood beams, custom kitchen with a skylight and a cool wine-rack, 2 full baths, ceramic tile, stack-stone fireplace, wood deck, mature trees, and a 2 car attached garage. The winner can take the home or $100,000.00 cash! There are 10 other prizes, so if all the tickets are sold, the odds of winning a prize are 1 in 450. And there are some great deals on multiple ticket buys. The drawing is December 16th at American Home Furniture in Albuquerque, and you don't have to be present to win or reside in New Mexico--ticket buys are coming in from New York, Florida, Hawaii and many other states. Please do me a favor and check this out at:http://www.winanewmexicohome.com/OR if you have already purchased a ticket, go to this site http://bit.ly/tsfG7L and you’ll see the special deals.

Continued success,

Michael

Ranch Land Near Taos, The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico Blog

Ranch Land Near Taos, The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico Blog

Ranch Land Near Taos, New Mexico-Mora County

Yesterday I took a trip to see a ranch owned by the famous Texans, Marshall Kuykendall and Bill Leonard. I’d seen some photographs of it but wasn’t prepared to be stunned by the high mountain, pristine, 451 acre luxury spread near Taos, New Mexico.


It’s an 85 mile drive from my office in Santa Fe and you’ll go through the village of Dixonand then through Sipapu Ski Resort.

The ranch borders 8,000 feet of the Kit Carson National Forest. There are 6 Elk permits, 6 natural springs, several building sites, lots of piney woods and Aspen groves and easy access. Although it’s not listed by me, you can have it all for $1,800,000.

On the way back we had a fabulous lunch in Penasco at The Sugar Nymphs Bistro. Don’t miss this place. It’s been written-up in Fodor’s and you’ll see why when you dine.

I’ll see you in the neighborhood.

Michael

The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico-House Raffle

The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico-House Raffle

The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico-House Raffle

WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE RAFFLE

Win a Beautiful Home

or Choose $100,000.00 Cash!

Only 4,500 tickets can be sold!

With 10 additional prizes, your odds of winning are 1 in 450!!

I’m on the Development Committee of Desert Academy, a nonprofit school in Santa Fe where our son, Nicholas is in the 10th grade. Through a house raffle, the school is raising scholarship money for families in need of financial aid. It’s a great prize house about 4 minutes from Old Town in Albuquerque. For only $100 you could win a new 3 bedroom home or, choose $100,000. This southwest style home features natural pine doors, exposed wood vigas, nichos, custom kitchen, 2 full baths, ceramic tile, stack-stone gas fireplace, wood deck, mature trees, and a 2 car attached garage. You can visit the house online at http://www.winanewmexicohome.com/. OPEN HOUSE EVERY SUNDAY from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Location: 1823 Indian School Rd. NW, just 2 blocks east of Rio Grande on Indian School. View the prize home, get all your questions answered, and buy your raffle ticket. See you on Sunday!

Here’s a short video of the home:


and, a link to http://desertacademy.org/

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I’ll see you in the neighborhood,

Michael