the best way to distract yourself from an Arizona summer is by planning as many weekend adventures as you can. even when those adventures just take you to another equally fiery desert, something about the newness of it all makes it special.
the dreamiest lady band (seriously, google any lucius performance. THOSE OUTFITS) was performing at pappy + harriet's. the thought of getting to hear "dusty trails" live under the stars was enough to get me to round up a troop of friends.
joshua tree has no shortage of desert airbnb's to pick from, and I've stayed in a lot of them. this one might have taken the cake. it was thoughtful and perfect and remote and adorable and in a town like joshua tree you need a place that you WANT to hang out in, because everything is far and hard and time consuming. we played games, made dinners, tried whiskeys, and had the very, very best time. I can't wait to go back to #thatdeserthouse. she's a babe.
other highlights included a lightening speed peek into the national park (because, insane wind). FINALLY getting to go into the world famous crochet museum (it's always been locked). stocking up on perfect wonder valley olive oil at the station and relaxing in the dusty sunshine.
joshua tree has quickly become a favorite spot, and I can't wait until I get to see her again.
with a companion pass burning a hole in my pocket and a tight work schedule that meant adventures needed to stay close to home for a while, I recruited one of my best pals and off we were for a perfectly weird and relaxing weekend in santa fe, new mexico.
have you been?
it really is the dreamiest. this was my second visit, with more time to explore the city, and we truly loved every second of our time there.
we stayed at the insanely perfect El Rey Court and it couldn't not have been better. every detail was incredible, the bar (la reina) is begging you to hang out in it, and the vibe is just what you need to relax and unwind (when you're not snapping 100 photos).
we had a memorable dinner at paloma (make a reservation!) and some lunching and shopping at the idyllic modern general.
we wandered and shopped, grabbed cocktails and snacks, and spent a morning exploring the famed farmers market. my favorite day was spent venturing an hour or so into the mountains to spend the afternoon soaking at ojo caliente mineral springs. it can get a little crowded, but you can buy a general pass and hop from pool to hammock to mud bath to pool to your heart's content.
on our way out we couldn't pass up a chance to check out the ever-weird, impossible to explain unless you go, meow wolf. dubbed an "immersive experiences gallery" - it's a place you have to see to believe, and it should be at the top of your list if you're ever in the area.
dear santa fe, I loved you and your weird vibes so much.
