Coast to Country

On our way to Colorado, we decided to stretch our legs in Old Town Albuquerque and honestly, it was one of those stops that makes a road trip feel like an adventure.

Old Town is the kind of place that feels like stepping into another time. Adobe buildings with thick walls and sunny courtyards, chiles hanging in bright red clusters, the faint scent of piñon wood drifting through the air. It’s been here since 1706, and you can feel that history under your feet as you wander the little plaza and side streets.

I wasn’t planning on buying jewelry (famous last words), but then we stepped into Warpath Traders. In the middle of the displays, I spotted it, a vintage Navajo squash blossom necklace, made with sterling silver and that perfect robin’s-egg-blue Sleeping Beauty turquoise. The tag said 1960s/70s, and it was stamped “R,” which likely means it was made by Richard Hoskie, a Navajo silversmith known for his clean silverwork and classic turquoise settings. The price was surprisingly fair, and the saleswoman was so warm and knowledgeable you could tell she loved what she sold. By the time I left, I felt like I’d made a friend and scored a piece of wearable art with a story.

After that little treasure hunt, we headed over to Sawmill Market for lunch. It’s in a restored old lumber warehouse, but inside it’s this airy, modern food hall full of good smells and happy people. We sampled, we snacked, we lingered, the perfect road-trip lunch. Think tacos next to wood-fired pizza next to craft coffee and pastries. I could’ve stayed all afternoon.

By the time we got back on the road, we had full bellies, a new piece of history tucked safely in the car, and that feeling you only get when you stumble onto something wonderful you didn’t plan.

This stop in Old Town Albuquerque was just one little chapter on our road trip, and there are plenty more adventures waiting down the highway. Follow along as I share more stories, treasures, and tasty finds from the open road – from Coast to Country and everywhere in between!