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. 

Monticello, Winston, and Chloride, New Mexico. With company.

My friend, Maggie, is here in T or C visiting me! Throwing caution to the wind in celebration, I ate cheese. I pulled out the stops.

Later I wished I hadn't.

"...you know I'll always love you ... AND THAT'S HOW YOU PERFORM THE FULL-NELSON, EDITH. LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS,"

 

 It's time to play "What Are You Looking At?"

Do you see?

R: She's undercowver.
M: It's a cowvert operation.

Do you see it?

Haw haw haw haw! Look what I'm doing!

That's so wrong.

I'm a cow! I'm pooping!

They're taking your picture.

I'm a Cowver Girl!

Always an appropriate house gift for someone you want to impress.

We had an early supper at Chloride Bank Café, where the food was yummy again. I did not cheese it up here - I AM NOT AN ANIMAL.

I feel like there's a subtle theme running through this post. If you're blocked: 11-year-old boy.

I thought this morning I wonder if 52 between Winston and the Very Large Array is passable? and this afternoon two friendly ladies from Las Cruces said "We just came from the Very Large Array on a dirt road!" and they said it was just fine. Now we know. They un-recommend it during monsoon or after a rain.

It's shorter, but it's longer, if you know what I mean. These ladies claimed it took them 1:45, but I think they lost track of time from having so much fun. Google brings it in at 3:27.

Here's the longer, shorter way:

2:36

My father used to say "I like a shortcut if it doesn't take too much longer."