What I Did on Your Summer Vacation.

My friend, Betty, asked if I was going to write the blog anymore. She also registered a complaint about the poor quality of the nothing she had been seeing here recently. 

Rainbow over Albuquerque.

I'm pleased to spend a lot of time with animals, but enough about my friends (RIM SHOT). 

Rosie and Little Ann.

And enjoying other people's art.

And sprucing up my cabin, with my girlfriend's help. 

I met my lovely daughter-in-law this week! She's married to my lovely son!

Nina and Phil. 

We took them into the Gila Mountains...

Guess where?

Emory Pass

... and Truth or Consequences...

A Little Slice of Heaven, Truth or Consequences, NM. It used to be Brazen Fox, which used to be Happy Belly Deli.

We did the Monticello/Winston/Chloride trail...

After being told I can't get there, I have become obsessed with Monument Park.

...and the Datil trip, of course.

I brought them so they could picture where I do nothing.

One last scenic stop...

Sunset over Rio Grande, Elephant Butte, NM.

My mysterious side.

We enjoyed Nina and Phil and their youthful energy. I once had youth, but not energy.

They're still traveling home this morning, after so many delays that it could be amusing if they weren't so tired. They are currently disillusioned with United Airlines, unless UA does something amazing to make up for this trip. Your move, United!

"I don't mind a shortcut, as long as it doesn't take much longer." T or C to Datil, NM

Six weeks in Truth or Consequences included two Art Hops (second Saturday of every month). There is a new gallery in town, Sun Gallery, and it's a lot of fun. No snoot there, so if you need some, bring your own.

Much gratitude to Jon, who has still never met me, but allowed me to live in his house for the duration, while he was vacationing in my hometown, Synchroni City. We call it "Ithaca."

I took the back way home, which involves a few hairpin turns, a few stops to calm my stomach, and some outrageous views. This path will take you through Cuchillo, Winston, and Dusty, NM. It might also (if you hurry), take you past Andy, a friendly flagman who helped me pass a pleasant twenty minutes waiting for my escort.

Andy has lived between Dusty and Truth or Consequences all his life, but has been to Germany twice (lucky duck). He was in the US Army. He gets the urge to travel sometimes, but the news persuades him to stay home. I told him I don't watch news much - it gives me the wrong impression of the world. He got that.

When he learned I was going to take 52, he got a quizzical look, and asked me if I had a spare tire. "That would be a heck of a road to break down on! Luckily, I've never been with anyone who broke down on it." That's okay, Andy. Other men have doubted Spud's grit, and they've been wrong, too.

He wished me a safe trip and a good day, and so it was. And, here's my escort...truck. He helped me follow the road into Winston.

My father had a satchel full of expressions that he'd pull out and flaunt, then shove back for repeated usage. He liked the shortcut, too. My dad was a rambler, and staying put too long pained his spirit. That life creates some hard choices, and when he had to choose, he chose to move. A man who couldn't make things go right could at least go.~ William Least Heat-Moon

NM-52 is New Mexico when she has no one to impress, and leaves her makeup off. She is beautiful, but doesn't care if you think so.

New Mexico golfs.

The shortcut truly didn't take more than an extra hour-and-a-half. I missed the mail pick-up in Datil, but I'm okay with delayed gratification. 

Camping near the Very Large Array (New Mexico)

Judie sent me this video, and it's so inspiring I stole a lot of it. Inspiration ➤ theft; it is always so.

When it reopens, you'll want to camp at the very nice Datil Wells BLM campground, which has so many more amenities than my new home base. After you get your fill of the good water and free wifi (please take me with you), meet me at the Very Large Array. Here are some pictures I "took" of the antennae:

Some legitimate shots:

Access is not particularly restricted - it's not a military base - so I don't know why I feel so gleeful when I find a gate unlocked.
To see shots of me, the cabin, me in the cabin, me, my friend Morty, my friend Maggie with Morty, Maggie still continent after meeting Morty, and more, come over to my Facebook page. You can see my page without having a Facebook account, right? Let me know.
I won't be wintering at the cabin this year, since I don't have a heat source yet and I don't know how much snow to expect. The road up the mountain will be nicer without snow. There's a lot I don't know, and I'm a little nervous. A little excited. Excitous. 
I also don't know where I'm wintering. Exciting! I will probably scoot out of New Mexico like people without robust heat sources do. Where are you wintering?

Truth or Consequences and Magdalena, New Mexico. You can get higher, but you can't get cooler.

Elephant Butte Lake was nice, for a night, and then it was time to climb.

Spud at Elephant Butte Lake State Park

 I drove past and had to turn around. SO MUCH TIE-DYE.

 It's Jeff, tie-dye guy extraordinaire. I don't know how he knew, but he told me things I wondered without me asking. In case you're wondering: 42  He has some great and very cool stuff that he dyes himself.

Seems about right.

 My spirits started to brighten once I hit Socorro and headed west.

 Magdalena spoke to me. It said Set a spell!

There's a lot of history here, but I don't know any of it. I know this town has je ne sais quoi, I just don't know what it is.

The library is the cutest library ever (until the next town). You can get wifi there 24/7, you just have to stop in during business hours and get the sign-in and password. It's across the street from this building on North Main Street. I forgot to take its picture because of my rapturous admiration, and I had to pee.

Magdalena is having a water crisis, and there is just one general opinion about its cause. Ask a Magdalenan. 

You know what has to come next, right? Right?

Seems about right.

Yes! It's the Very Large Array!

 Do you know how a railroad crossing qualifies for its exempt status?