We spent a lazy morning planning where to eat this evening and tomorrow. The internet did not reveal any leads except for a few high-end places with fixed-price multi-course meals. We gave up and walked to the down town area to scope out the shops, restaurants, and other general sights. After trying to take a few pictures we decided it may be better to come back tomorrow when the streets will be much quieter.
Burrow AlleyI spied an excellent wine shop at which I picked up a replacement meritage made in New Mexico (my Canadian one was destroyed during our traverse from Alaska to Missouri last winter) and a small bottle of champagne! Later we visited a wonderful French bakery and picked up some pastries for Christmas breakfast. After visiting a few more shops we stopped for a late lunch at the Blue Corn Café and Brewery. The menu was fantastic but their beers were amazing. We weren’t expecting such well-balanced beers without the watered-down taste of so many other microbrews we’ve tried. Quite comparable to the Moose’s Tooth in Anchorage, which is saying something. After a quick rest back at the hotel, we went down town again, this time for the Ferolito walk on Canyon Road and later, a baroque music concert.
Unbelievably, we found a parking spot down town. Bundled up, we found our way over to Canyon Road, which hosts the Ferolito walk every Christmas Eve. The street is lined with art galleries and lit with paper lanterns and cedar bonfires. Roving groups of walkers were singing carols. We arrived early enough to avoid the major crowds and by the time we were done it was time for the baroque music concert.
It was held in the Loretto Chapel, a former catholic chapel that has a rich history, mostly surrounding the Miracle Staircase. The program of chamber music and carols sung by a superb soprano were very enjoyable in the true sense of Christmas.
