Our  morning starts with a talk by RTTF Fiber Ambassador Suzie Briddsang.  She’ll provide an introduction to the history and people of New Mexico.  Bring your projects, get comfy with a cup of tea or coffee and hear  about how New Mexico came to be. Then we’re off to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, a celebrated focal point of Native American arts and  culture in the city’s downtown. After lunch, we’ll zip over to  Albuquerque’s Yarn Store at Nob Hill to meet and hear from local  designers. Dinner is on your own. Might we suggest our hotel’s stunning  5th floor rooftop bar for sunset and drinks?

Pack  your project bag and settle in for a ride on the Railrunner commuter train to Santa Fe. (Your luggage will be transported separately.) Knit,  chat and watch the beautiful  canyons and arroyos of New Mexico’s high desert as we travel north. Now  that you are inspired by all that you’ve seen, you’re ready for a  “Colors of the Southwest” discussion at a sweet little yarn shop. Pick  your favorite southwest palette of colors for a three-skein kit.  Afterwards, we’ll walk through the Railyard District into the very heart of Santa Fe ‐ its plaza.

In the  morning, we’ll investigate Spanish colonial traditions and influence,  with a specially‐hosted tour of the Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts.  Located atop Santa Fe’s Museum Hill, the museum is one of several  internationally acclaimed institutions adjacent to each other. While  lunching at Museum Hill’s cafe, you can scheme about which other museums  to visit on your free day. Why not visit now? Because we’re headed down to Canyon Road, the center of Santa Fe’s local art scene. Back by  popular demand: an evening learning to prepare specialty New Mexico  cuisine with Chef Carmen. We’ve heard his prickly pear margaritas are out of this world. Pass the salt shaker please…

It’s  time to leave Santa Fe and drive north into the rolling, juniper-dotted landscape. We’ll visit the Santuario de Chimayo and traditional weaving  studios of northern New Mexico. Then we’ll do some making of our own –  with a simple weaving project using local Navajo-Churro yarn at Espanola  Valley Fiber Center, a hidden gem located along the upper Rio Grande  river.

Today is  a free day in Santa Fe! This is your opportunity to explore particular  interests, whether they be more museums, art galleries, fantastic  shopping, time at a spa, hiking or just the opportunity to explore the  neighborhoods of adobe buildings. We’ll have lots of ideas for you,  depending on the type of adventure or indulgence you’d enjoy. Or,  research ahead of time! At the end of the day, we’ll gather for our  final dinner, review the week’s experiences and raise a glass together.

Travelers return to the Albuquerque Sunport after a leisurely breakfast. Time to head home!

Colleen Troy joins RTT as Domestic Tour Development and Fiber Ambassador as well as Bookkeeper. She’s knitting multiple projects right now, spinning hand-blended fibers on her Lendrum DT, and has found it difficult but not impossible to knit and watch a South Korean show on Netflix with subtitles at the same time. She is curious about makers' stories of the lineage and evolution of their craft and where to find truly awesome pie.  Her professional background in outdoor tour guiding and small business ownership makes a great match with RTT. Colleen loves to drive a convertible, swim in natural waters and hula hoops. Does she talk to her plants? That’s what her friends want to know.