Last weekend's jaunt to New Mexico wrapped with a tranquil tour of Bishop's Ranch Road, a short drive out from art central Santa Fe and home to numerous, rural galleries including the stunning Shidoni Foundry statue gardens.
Back in 1851, Frenchman, Jean Baptiste L'amy, arrived in the new frontier as the first Bishop of Santa Fe. Stories of his pioneering adventures were written by author Willa Cather in her renowned novel, Death Comes for the Archbishop.
After his discovery of the fertile valley that had been planted with fruit orchards by 16th century Franciscan fathers, Lamy constructed a small, private retreat where his hospitality became famous in the region. The chapel on the property is now on the national register of historic places, perched on a hillside behind the beautiful Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa.
Interestingly, after L'amy passed away, the early property was bought by the Pulitzer publishing family as a private vacation retreat. By 1917, the Thorpe family of Denver had taken over the acreage and it was the Thorpes who developed the first world class vacation resort in New Mexico, now owned by Lend Lease Corporation.
We enjoyed a private, late lunch on the terrace of the Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa, private only because we were the only group dining at that time mid-Sunday afternoon. With views of adobe mountain homes, striking vistas and resort staff picking the last of the season's ruby red apples, it was tempting to ditch plans for our return trip to the Bay Area and stay awhile in this most lovely environment.
Having driven up to the Four Seasons resort further along the route prior to lunch, the Laura's, Lori and I agreed that the authenticity and character of the Bishop's resort was far more enticing.
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