New Mexico

Finding Your Bliss in the Land of Enchantment for Women

Program No. 21742RJ
Experience the restorative traditions of Santa Fe as you learn about traditional healing techniques, hike the red rock country around Abiquiu and enjoy local cuisine with expert chefs.

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At a Glance

Take a break from the stresses of daily life and escape to Santa Fe and the Land of Enchantment on a women-only educational retreat. Join other women as you relax in high desert beauty, stimulate your mind and experience new cultures. Learn healing practices used by indigenous peoples, and discover the curative power diverse traditions from other cultures have brought to New Mexico. Learn how to prepare delicious cuisine, gain flexibility with yoga and hike through glorious landscapes.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 4 miles over paved, uneven sidewalks and unpaved surfaces. Yoga appropriate for novices and experienced practitioners. Optional hikes of 1-5 miles on varied terrain with elevation gains. Elevations of 7,000 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Learn about indigenous healing practices from a traditional healer.
  • Journey to Ghost Ranch and marvel at the colorful landscape on a private tour of O'Keeffe country.
  • Enjoy private cooking demonstrations taught by local chefs.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Lois Ellen Frank
Lois Ellen Frank, PhD, is a Santa Fe-based chef focused on Native American foods. She is also a Native American food historian, culinary anthropologist, photographer and James Beard Award-winning author. She is a featured instructor of the Southwest Indian Nations at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, and is chef and owner — along with Native Chef Walter Whitewater of the Diné Nation — of Red Mesa Cuisine.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Elena Junes
Elena Junes View biography
Elena Ortiz-Junes is a native New Mexican and member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. She has worked for many years as a study leader and group leader for numerous organizations and universities, providing a unique perspective on the region and its rich cultural tapestry. She is a writer and founding board member of Red Media, an indigenous owned and operated media project that highlights Native writers. Elena is also a board member of the University of New Mexico’s Alfonso Ortiz Center for Intercultural Studies.
Profile Image of Lois Frank
Lois Ellen Frank View biography
Lois Ellen Frank, PhD, is a Santa Fe-based chef focused on Native American foods. She is also a Native American food historian, culinary anthropologist, photographer and James Beard Award-winning author. She is a featured instructor of the Southwest Indian Nations at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, and is chef and owner — along with Native Chef Walter Whitewater of the Diné Nation — of Red Mesa Cuisine.
Profile Image of Patricia Padilla
Patricia Padilla View biography
Patricia Padilla was born into eight generations of Curanderas — an age-old Hispanic healing tradition. She ran her own alternative medical clinic in Lyons, Colorado serving the community as an acupuncturist and herbalist for 20 years. She also published and wrote for a local weekly newspaper for 24 years. After a lifetime of treating patients and teaching about personal and community health, she now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she continues to work with people, writes, teaches and creates "one-of-a-kind" beaded leather bags.
Profile Image of Elizabeth Mesh
Elizabeth Mesh View biography
Elizabeth Mesh is an educator, artist and actor with a master’s and license in art therapy. She has led thousands of people at the SITE Santa Fe art museum. She has also been on over 20 film and TV sets in New Mexico. Biking, hiking, blue skies and clean air make New Mexico a place she loves to share. Elizabeth has been teaching traditional and expressive art for two decades and has been featured on the Home and Garden Network Television’s segment “That’s Clever!”
Profile Image of Vannetta Perry
Vannetta Perry View biography
Dr. Vannetta Perry is a retired educator and lifelong resident of New Mexico who is deeply rooted in the southwest. Her family homesteaded and ranched in Southwestern New Mexico and farmed in West Texas. As an educator, Dr. Perry worked in the university setting, teaching biology and directing science outreach programs. Her love for travel was sparked when she led research studies in developing countries. Since retiring, Dr. Perry has continued to share her love of travel and education as a travel director and leader.
Profile Image of Debbie Widrick
Debbie Widrick View biography
Debbie Widrick is a certified personal trainer with 35 years of experience in the field of health and wellness. She believes with her whole heart that developing a strong yoga practice is key to maintaining a strong healthy body and managing stress levels as we age. Debbie is a 200-hour certified instructor who teaches Viniyoga, Hatha, Restorative, power, and Vinyasa Yoga.
Profile Image of Ellen Morris Bond
Ellen Morris Bond View biography
Ellen Morris Bond has spent most of her adult years in northern New Mexico, graduating from the University of New Mexico Honors Program. She completed a Master’s Degree in Community Development at University of California-Davis. As a non-profit director, Ellen forged strong collaborations with local and regional organizations such as health councils, community foundations, tribal groups, hospitals, public schools, rural health clinics, and faith groups. She now volunteers with the local acequia/water organization and leads art and architecture groups at La Fonda of Santa Fe.
Profile Image of Norma Naranjo
Norma Naranjo View biography
Norma Naranjo and her husband Hutch have been planting and raising their own crops in Santa Clara Pueblo for more than 30 years. They farm much as their ancestors did over 500 years ago: without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, grass fed beef and home grown ingredients. Crops such as chili, chico corn, squash, tomatoes and cucumbers are canned, dried or frozen. During the feast meal, there is horno baking, tamale making and other traditional elements. This is a time to share cultural backgrounds.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
12 meals
5 B 3 L 4 D
DAY
1
Program Registration, Orientation, Dinner
Santa Fe, N.M.
D
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Take the rest of the evening to continue getting to know your fellow participants, relax, and get a good night’s sleep for the full day ahead.

DAY
2
Lecture, Walking Exploration, Traditional Healing Practices
Santa Fe, N.M.
B,L,D
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe

Activity note: Walking up to 4 miles over varied terrain with inclines.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, we'll enjoy a presentation on the history of Santa Fe, as well as the history of healing practices in the area. Beginning with early Native American medicine men and Mexican curanderos, the Southwest has had a vibrant history of healing traditions and healers. With the influx of other cultures, these groups brought their own healing methods and techniques. Today, the area boasts contemporary practices brought by different religious and cultural groups, They all seem to exist together in relative peace and harmony. After the presentation, we'll enjoy a walking exploration of the historical downtown area and lunch at a local restaurant, before we return to the hotel for a presentation.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we'll return to the hotel for a presentation by Patricia Padilla, an eighth-generation “Curandera”. She will begin with a blessing ceremony and then introduce us to the history and importance of traditional women healers who continue to play key roles in their communities. After some time to relax, we'll depart on foot for our dinner destination.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy the rest of the evening to explore some of Santa Fe's nightlife, get to know fellow participants, or relax at the hotel.

DAY
3
"Wild Women" Lecture, Canyon Road, Free Time
Santa Fe, N.M.
B,L
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe

Activity note: Walking up to 5 miles on paved but uneven surfaces; extent of mileage walked during free time activities is according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, we will have a lecture on the "Wild Women of the Southwest" by a local expert who will discuss the many famous (and infamous) women who contributed to the arts and culture of northern New Mexico. Then, we'll depart on foot for Canyon Road.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we'll continue up Canyon Road for an exploration of Santa Fe's historic arts district. Home to the largest concentration of galleries in the country, Canyon Road was once a residential area and contains many historic residences. There will be some free time to explore on your own before returning to the hotel at your leisure.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like or sample the local cuisine. Santa Fe is known for the breadth and depth of its culinary offerings. Not to be confused with "Tex-Mex," northern New Mexico cuisine combines elements of Native American and Spanish influences. There are a number of fine restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Ghost Ranch, Landscape Exploration, The Feasting Place
Santa Fe, N.M.
B,L,D
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; traveling 150 miles over the course of the day. Elective: hiking up to 3 miles roundtrip with some elevation gains at Ghost Ranch.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, we'll board the motorcoach and ride about 60 miles north of Santa Fe to the Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center. We'll have an on-board lecture about the area and learn more about its geology. Ghost Ranch was Georgia O’Keeffe’s first home in New Mexico was located on the ranch property. The ranch is now a retreat operated by the Presbyterian Church, which operates three small museums on site and also maintains several hiking trails into the red-rock country that O’Keeffe’s paintings made famous. We will enjoy a private tour with a local expert of the colorful landscape surrounding her home, which is now in private hands and not open to visitors. We will have the opportunity to experience the landscape that enchanted O’Keeffe so much that she moved permanently to the area.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at Ghost Ranch.

Afternoon: Continued explorations of Ghost Ranch followed by afternoon departure for Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. At Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, we will enjoy a presentation by Norma Naranjo, who owns and runs The Feasting Place. We will learn about traditional Pueblo Feast Day foods and how to cook using the hornos, traditional outdoor ovens. We will return to the hotel after dinner.

Dinner: At The Feasting Place.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Yoga, Meditation, Cacao Experience, Cooking Demonstration
Santa Fe, N.M.
B,D
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe

Activity note: Gentle yoga and Meditation (sitting, walking), getting on/off a motorcoach; driving up to 30 miles over the course of the day, approximately 45 minutes. Walking up to 2 miles, standing for up to one hour (distance walked dependent on free time activities).

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: After breakfast, we'll begin with a gentle yoga class in our meeting room followed by some guided meditation. After class, we'll walk to Kakawa Chocolate House where we will enjoy a presentation about the history and health benefits of cacao followed by a tasting. Lunch and the rest of the afternoon will be on your own.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. In late afternoon, we'll gather at the hotel, board our motorcoach and travel a few miles south of Santa Fe to Red Mesa Cuisine in Eldorado. Before dinner, we will hear from local chef Lois Ellen Frank, PhD, a Native American foods historian, culinary anthropologist, photographer, and James Beard Award-winning author.

Dinner: At Red Mesa Cuisine, we'll enjoy a meal featuring regional cuisine prepared by Dr. Frank and Chef Walter Whitewater.

Evening: We will gather for a closing to the program. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Santa Fe, N.M.
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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