Pilgrims begin journey to Chimayo

That's what makes the journey unique.

It doesn't matter what hour of the day or day of the week, people make the trip here to El Santuario de Chimayo year-round. But Holy Thursday heading into Good Friday is when people come by the thousands.

Step by step and mile by mile on the side of the road, by bike or even by car, there are plenty of ways to make the trip. But once you get there, everyone has a little something in common.

"When you get there, I can't even explain the feeling once you walk up to it and see the gates," said Mark Arellano of Santa Fe.

"It's always a very spiritual experience to be here," added Diane Smith of Ohio. "You know you just feel something here that I think that's why everyone else is here too."

Some have a specific reason for the visit. Others are passing through and just here to take in the experience.

Friday morning, the courtyard will be looking a lot more crowded than it did Thursday night.