T³ in Santa Fe

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Dear Otters,

This is Poppy and Mimi, two of Juliette’s grandparents, writing about our recent, short trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico during the holidays.

We arose early the Monday morning before Christmas Day to fly from Seattle to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we took a shuttle to our hotel. Before telling you about our adventures, let us share some facts comparing Oregon and New Mexico. See the table below.

We arrived at our Santa Fe hotel, the El Sendero Inn, around 5pm, tired from our plane flight and shuttle PLUS we were hungry. Off we went to the Coyote Café! And we FORGOT Tens, Twenties, Thirties, which we will call T3 or T-cubed (T³).

 

Otters, in mathematics, to cube a number means to multiply that same number three times. For example, 2³ means multiply the number 2 three times – or 2x2x2. Two times two equals four, which multiplied by two equals eight. So, 2³=8. [Ask Ms. Aja about “powers” for more information.]

UGH!  We were so hungry!

So, about 5:15, we arrived at the Coyote Café. Two stories tall, with fine dining on the first floor, more casual dining on the second. Serving New Mexican cuisine, which combines Mexican, Native American, and Spanish traditions. The upstairs walls were painted everywhere in bold colors. The restaurant was booming, hopping. See the pictures below!!!!!

This experience got us thinking about coyotes. Otters, did you know that:

  • Their scientific name is Canis latrans.

  • New Mexico has the 5th largest coyote population in the United States [about 125,000 coyotes]. Oregon is in 9th place in terms of population [about 83,700], while Texas leads the nation with around 859,500 coyotes.

  • Coyotes generally have a lifespan of around 10-14 years in the wilderness and in captivity, they can live up to 18-20 years.

  • The Lewis and Clark expedition [1804-1806] is often credited with the discovery of the coyote, but it’s important to know that coyotes were known long before to Native American tribes and Spanish settlers. In fact, the name “coyote” comes from the word “coyoti” used by the Aztecs.

  • Coyotes are fast runners, capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

  • While often seen alone, coyotes can form small family groups. They typically have a mate for life and work together to raise their young.

  • They often hunt in pairs or small groups to catch their prey.

[Thank you, Artificial Intelligence, for this information!]

What a way to start our evening eating at Coyote Café. Then, walking back to the hotel, we chanced upon Santa Fe’s central square or plaza; it was ALL lit up!!!!!The trees. The truck. Cars passing by. What a way to begin the holiday season. See the pictures! We did not forget T-cubed again!!!!

The next morning began the day of Christmas Eve. While we did various activities during daylight, the spectacular part was the evening when we walked along Canyon Road.

Canyon Road in Santa Fe is a famous art district known for over a hundred galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. A half mile in length, it showcases a wide range of art, from traditional to contemporary. On Christmas Eve, Canyon Road hosts a beloved tradition called the Farolito Walk. Thousands of people gather to walk along the Road, which is illuminated by thousands of farolitos [small paper lanterns] and luminarias. The atmosphere is festive, with carolers singing, families and friends strolling together, and the glow of the lights creating a magical holiday experience. What FUN! See the pictures, ALL with T-cubed!!!!!!

Christmas Day was spent with family – Juliette, Ren, Claire, Zach, Bea, Matt, and Nick – and cold, clear, and even lightly-snowing weather in the late afternoon.

The day after Christmas we were on our own, as most family members, including Juliette, went skiing. We decided to visit 2 museums, one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. Both were FABULOUS. The morning one was the New Mexico History Museum, full of interesting exhibits related to the origins and development of the state over time. We learned about early immigrant families, about land grants to early Spanish and Mexican settlers, about the conflicts with Native Americans over land rights issues, and so on. We have attached pictures from different angles of an actual stagecoach [from the 19th century, I believe].

Onto the Georgia O’Keefe Museum we went in the afternoon! Otters, Georgia O’Keefe was a very famous artist who was born in 1887 and died in 1986. In the late 1920s she began to travel to New Mexico where the desert landscapes had a profound impact on her work; she permanently moved there in 1949. Among the many honors and recognitions she received was the Presidential Medal of Freedom [1977], the highest civilian honor in the United States. T-cubed is pictured with some of her paintings. Over 1.7 million people have visited the museum since its opening in 1997.

The next day we learned of high winds, tornadoes, heavy rain, and other inclement weather happening throughout the United States, and Poppy feared that we would be delayed flying home. In fact, over 800 flights were canceled on Thursday. The good news is that our Friday departure was on time, and we landed without delay at SeaTac, the nickname of Seattle’s airport.

A fun and happy holiday was had by all!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, OTTERS!

From Poppy and Mimi – and Juliette

Questions for the Tens, Twenties, Thirties Team to Research

1.        What are land grants?

2.        Santa Fe is high above sea level. How high is it, and how does its height compare to the height of Forest Grove?

3.        Oregon is in the Pacific Standard Time zone and New Mexico is in the Mountain Standard Time zone. How many times zones are there in the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, and what are they?

Student Answers on January 27th, 2025:

Dear Poppy and Mimi, 

Today we got to research the answers to your questions with one of our guest teachers. Here's what we discovered: 

  • A land grant is a gift of real estate. Real estate is a person's property.  Grants were given to people to grow and bring new people to New Mexico.

  • Santa Fe is 7,198 feet above sea level.  Forest Grove, Oregon is 203 feet above sea level.  Santa Fe is like being high up on a mountain compared to Forest Grove!

  • We learned that there are six time zones in the United States.  4 major time zones plus HI and Alaska. The time zones are: Pacific, Mountain Time, Central Time, Eastern Time, Hawaii, and Alaska. Some of us have gone on trips to other places and have had to adjust to the new time there. One of our classmates recently got back from Florida and there was a three hour time change when he flew there.

Thanks for taking T-Cubed on adventures and for teaching us new things!

Love, 

Juliette and the Otters