New Mexico’s nickname is The Land of Enchantment.
This year, for the second year in a row, we returned to a bed and breakfast called Hacienda Vargas to celebrate our anniversary. It’s where we got married.
Like New Mexico, Hacienda Vargas is very enchanting.
Hacienda Vargas is the only New Mexico inn along the historic El Camino Real.
It’s in a little town called Algodones, which is between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Algodones was originally founded as a military garrison to provide protection for the merchant wagon trains traveling on the El Camino Real between Santa Fe and Chihuahua, Mexico. As late as the 19th century, it was the site of a military supply depot and occupied by General Kearney and the Army of the West in 1846.
See the tiny heart at the top of this sunflower? Enchanting, don’t you think? ♥
Does the place you live have a nickname?
Morning Bray Farm 
August 18, 2010 at 3:55 am
That’s the kind of place Mr. Fry and I like. Places like it inspired the design of our home, though we opted not to do adobe (or stucco) on the exterior because our weather is so much more humid.
Happy Anniversary and hope you have a wonderful time!
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August 18, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Leah,
Thank you! Your home must be absolutely lovely.
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August 18, 2010 at 6:37 am
This place really does look delightful. I’m not seeing guest stables, though, so I assume the boys did not join you for your getaway. Maybe that’s why I heard all that braying the other day.
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August 18, 2010 at 6:42 am
Carson,
No guest stables, but the innkeepers do have a horse. That’s hilarious… I did say to Don as we were having breakfast that morning something like, “I can just imagine the noise the boys are making right about now…”
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August 18, 2010 at 7:06 am
Very cool. My city’s nickname is the “Queen” city and there is a great statue of her at the airport. Love that you got to celebrate your anniversary where you got married. You guys should make it a tradition. Congrats again!
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August 18, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Nancy,
It’s definitely going to be a tradition!
Isn’t NC the Tar Heel State? 😀 Just had to ask seein’s how we’re Terps fans and all… 😉 xxoo
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August 18, 2010 at 7:47 am
Happy Anniversary!! What an absolutely cool, and yes, enchanting place. I love that little hacienda brick, and the handmade ladder. I want to visit too!
We are the Show Me State 🙂
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August 18, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Tammy,
I absolutely LOVE that brick. I’m amazed it has been there both times we’ve returned.
Don is making one for me now… 🙂
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August 18, 2010 at 8:03 am
Looks like a beautiful and peaceful place to stay. I have actually been to Algodones…talk about a small world!
The town I live near (that gives me my address anyway)…is locally known as the most horse-friendly town in AZ. When they built their new government office complex they included a couple of stalls and tie-rails for horses. Lots of people here actually use their horses for transportation. Nice, huh? 🙂
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August 18, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Rosanne,
If you ever find yourself in Algodones or ABQ again, please let us know!
Totally nice that lots of people who live in your town are able to use their horses for transportation. 🙂
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August 18, 2010 at 9:01 am
What a beautiful, charming place. I love the ratty flowers and that sunflower has at least one heart for every anniversary year. More proof that it’s a magical place.
….is that a jackalope on the wall….?
xoxo
Carolynn
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August 18, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Carolynn,
Yes… that is a jackalope on the wall. 🙂
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August 18, 2010 at 10:05 am
Looks like a fabulous place. I love the heart at the top of the sunflower!
Happy Anniversary! I agree with another poster that you and Don seem like you’ve been married a lot longer than two years!
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August 18, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Lilla,
Thank you! It never feels like we’ve been married that long. 😀
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August 18, 2010 at 11:09 am
Beautiful B&B. My dream is to get back to Sante Fe on vacation. I’ll keep this place on the radar as a great place to stay.
Years ago we stayed in a Hacienda in Alb. Wish I could remember the name of it. Outside of old town area. Had a chapel inside of it. It was very old and well done. I got some great South West photos there.
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August 18, 2010 at 7:19 pm
C,
Please promise that when you do get back to Santa Fe, you’ll let us know. 🙂
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August 18, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Will do! I’d love to see the boys in person. (And meet you, too, of course.) 🙂
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August 18, 2010 at 7:46 pm
😀 😀 😀
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August 18, 2010 at 11:46 am
yep, they call it ‘burque’ neighbor. Again Happy Anniversary.
We have driven past Hacienda Vargas and said…hey maybe someday soon…but now that you have given me photographic evidence perhaps Sweet Man will go along with the program. We love the bed and breakfast thing, get to know folks and have a unique and authentic stay.
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August 18, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Linda,
Fingers crossed for you that Sweet Man goes along with the program soon. 🙂
We love the bed and breakfast thing too… what a difference!
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August 18, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Happy Anniversary! Very pretty! I love the heart on the sunflower, cool!
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August 18, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Cheryl,
Thank you! I thought the heart was very, very cool. 🙂
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August 18, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Hacienda Vargas looks a very nice place! Love all photos. Thanks for sharing.
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August 18, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Sonia,
Thank you for visiting!
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August 18, 2010 at 5:09 pm
That looks like a wonderful place to celebrate anything!
Colorado is the “Centennial State” because it became a state in 1876.
“Land of Enchantment” has such a better ring to it. It makes me want to go there…
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August 18, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Cathy,
Come and visit, come and visit! We’re just one state down! 😀
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August 18, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Don and Justina – What a delight! Great photos you took. Spence is thrilled and we hope to see you again.
Thank you from Hacienda Vargas
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August 18, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Cynthia and Spence,
We’ll be looking forward to seeing you again next August! Please give Rexie a big hug from us!
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August 19, 2010 at 7:08 am
Beautiful! I hope had a peaceful and enjoyable time together.
Austin is often called “The Live Music Capital of the World”. I don’t know if that could possibly be true.
The little city we live in (outside Austin) is called “The Gateway to the Hill Country”. Pretty self-descriptive and I like it that way. Many of town in the ‘hill country’ are very touristy. Not sure I could deal with tourist traffic and behavior.
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