2017 10 26 Los Alamos and Santa Fe

Los Alamos, Bradbury Science Museum

We returned to Los Alamos to visit the Bradbury Science Museum. We expected the streets to be names after significant people or things related to Project Y, the original name for the Manhattan Project. We were not disappointed when we saw Bikini Atoll and Oppenheimer. But most of the other street names were fairly normal. We were interested in learning how this location was chosen, what were the differences in the programs and how has it impacted future ideas.

This is a small the replica of "the gadget" which was the test instrument for the implosion device tested at the Trinity site.

The statues for General Leslie Groves and J. Robert Oppenheimer. The General was charged with acquiring the location, resources and manpower while Oppenheimer was the "ideas" guy.  

"Little Boy" was based on the gun principle, having two parts: the projectile at the rear and the target at the front. It was uranium based.

"Fat Man" was based on the implosion principle, using high explosives in shaped charges to implode a sphere with synchronized multiple detonations. It had a solid plutonium core

Bob is standing in front of a bomb disposal suit. The video showed how difficult it is to work in the protective outfit. 

Santa Fe, Loretto Chapel

Carol in front of the Chapel.

The stained glass above the unused front door. 

The majority of the interior is off-white with many stained glass windows and statues. 

The Rose Window above the front door. 

This is the St. Catherine stained glass window. We arrived around 5pm and the low position of the sun really set off the colors in the windows. 

This is the "miracle" staircase which is suppose to have been built without any supports or attachments. On the right at the top of the photo is one of Stations of the Cross. Also a small piece of the Confessional.

Street Vendors in front of Governors Palace next to Santa Fe Plaza. Local artists bring their jewelry for display and sale. Buyer beware as some items appeared less than the quality of a jewelry store. 

Before going into the New Mexico History Museum we paused in front of this small replica of the ubiquitous covered wagon. 

Just a funny little art project. This is a single sheet of metal with two chairs on the other side.

In the Governor's Palace was a display of printing presses. 

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. This church has been rebuilt a few times and is known for it's stained glass windows. We were not able to go very far inside.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Heading to dinner at Caffe Greco. We arrived just before 6pm. There didn't seem to be very many people even though the ratings and prices for this place were good. We requested a table indoors and were treated to the husband-owner singing something from an Italian opera. He was a New York trained tenor and cantor. Much better entertainment than the Fox News program from the other room. We had a wonderful Mexican meal and only noticed that the hours of operation ended at 6pm. So the whole time we were inside the rest of the restaurant was closed. Thanks for the private dining.