Pack extra underwear when leaving home. And other good advice. (Truth or Consequences, NM)

I left the cabin in a hurry on Christmas Day 2015. I always seem to stay gone longer than I expected.

My time in T or C has seemed unusually full and bustle-y. This time, more than any other, I have begun to feel like a local in good ways and better ways.

Because I have been doing more pet-sitting, I've extended my stay here and gotten to know new people. In-between those stays, though, I'm always a bit unsettled and unsure about where I'll stay overnight. If I need a backup plan - and I rarely do - Spud remains foremost an RV, and she does a darn fine job of it, too.

I enjoyed dinner and word games with some old and new friends last night. One of the new ones asked if I had a long-term plan, or if I just sleep around. Martye, consider that line stolen.

You did see a puddy tat: Sylvester

I started with one good friend in Truth or Consequences, and now I have armloads. It seems easy to meet good people here; at least that's my experience.

Ollie

One of those good friends offered me her space while she was away. So, naturally, in the spirit of friendship and reciprocity, I was happy to break her front-door lock. Somehow, she let me stay another night.

"The water YOU gave me was too fresh."

Martye, a new friend, has also offered me space while I'm waiting for the next dog-sitting job to start on Thursday. So, they flipped a coin for me. Girls, girls! No need to fight - there's plenty of sorn to go around!

This unusual (anywhere else) offering and accepting of hospitality seems common here. This is a town like no other I've experienced, and it attracts its own. 

On the first weekend of March, I'll attend my first-ever silent retreat in beautiful Monticello, NM. I have often thought that there should be a place to stay in that tiny "ghost" town, never knowing that there is! Also, I have long wanted to attend a silent retreat, and have often pictured myself silenting. My wishes are someone's commands.

That should leave a week to retreat to my own silent retreat on the mountain, and I plan for the weather to be good then. I'll be glad to see my Datil friends, old and new.

Chimayo, New Mexico

We stayed two nights in Espanola's Walmart (put in a tilde any old place) to satisfy my need to see Chimayo.

Where we stopped for nachos.

Lots of people here grow and sell chile. Chili? There's a right way to spell it, and at least one of you will put me out of my misery and tell me. Vendors held out bags and ceramic pots for me to pinch-and-taste. Every one of them will tell you it isn't hot. Caveat beggar: pincher beware.

Patricio and Shawna Chavez, of Chavez Gallery, create retablos in the traditional way, and beautiful sacred carvings. They also run a small cafe in the store, in case you need strength to resist their artwork.

Also Chavez Gallery. If they don't lure you in with pastry.

Carlitos Medina creates bold and striking paintings. Even his chile(i) sales pitch is a multi-media event. I like his philosophy of allowing new energy into our lives. With art, with love, with whatever makes the energy flow. He's not stingy with the storyteller's charm, either, and if he can make me blush, you will not escape.

Since I saw The Milagro Beanfield War, I've been determined to see Truchas, New Mexico. Now I have, sort of. Cute. Needs a cafe.

Our view from Espanola:

Now we're at Abiquiu Lake, where we've met up again with Evelyn and her mom, Joy. If you get a chance to meet them, take it.

Datil "Rhymes With Cattle" New Mexico

My spontaneous road trip was very satisfying, and lasted ten days. How satisfying? Let me count the ways:

• Jeannie & Riley
• Barbara & Katey
• Holly & Kali Cat
• Nancy
• Chris
• Lesa
• Annie & Jake
• Lisa
• Evie
• Joy
• Sue
• Janice
• Misha

Whew. I'm completely socialed. 

Nothing. Just made me laugh.

Gerkin and Bud. Ditto.

I'm back at the cabin now, where temperatures have been perfect. PERFECT. Betty, my good friend and social director, has me booked for the next two days; this means I can wear my not-pajamas.

Life here is not exactly Early Farm life. I do stay up a little past dark to surf or watch something, and I don't get up to milk the cow. So, with limited light at night I feel no compulsion to get stuff done when I want to be snoozing.

Treats and snoozin', snoozin' and treats.

Truth or Consequences life

I've been getting up-close and overly personal with the plant life here. Here are some encounters that didn't end in a salad:

Mid-day strolling is best kept to a minimum. I suggest DUCKing into shops along the way.

Here are two RVing women you know. Sue and Geri, left to right.

Sue is spending the summer in Truth or Consequences, which only sounds crazy until you know that she has been creating art as though a wild woman, and has almost more shows booked - locally and remotely - than she can manage. Almost.

Geri and Chuck have home-based in T or C for a long time, and are now getting ready to head to Florida to be near family who could use their support. They have a mess (slew) of plans for new adventures.

Most bloggers are usually behind the camera, not in the shot. Sue fixed that for me. 

I am upstaged by a  bird of paradise. And a plant.

I'm starting to remember what's on Broadway, and what's on Main. 

Information center at Hot Springs Frame and Art Supplies

Sue introduces me around whenever she gets a chance. My social calendar is packed full with pity engagements. I'm not proud.

WPA art at the downtown post office - The Indian Bear Dance, by Boris Deutsch

Here's an interesting essay about Depression-era art and this Boris Deutsch mural.

I haven't traveled since I got here, but I'm catching up on sitting around. There's plenty for me to do.

~~~~~

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Los Alamos, New Mexico and the Jemez Mountains

Thanks to my friends, Pat and Kevin, I saw everything in Los Alamos. I was pleasantly surprised by its small-town atmosphere and its WOWWIE WOW scenery. Also its library book sale where I found three books I've been looking for. 

Pat and Kevin have great friends; they were very warm and welcoming to me. An evening in a hot tub - watching shooting stars in the dark New Mexico night and drinking wine - was a special highlight. Thanks, Jeannie!

Golgotha? Or just some skull place?

Tsankawi (say "SAAN quay")

You're looking at the ladder that stopped my hike. I made it to the second rung, thank you very much.

The Rio Grande, north of where we start mocking it.

 

Kevin gave me a geology lesson here, which I will now pass along to you. About 1.25 million years, a nearby volcano erupted, shooting lava rock as far as Kansas. Some stayed here and became scenery. Since we were talking about it, he said Let's go to the caldera! 

Valles Caldera

It's like this: a volcano gets fired up and erupts, then it collapses on itself and has a beer. One and a quarter million years later, elk frolic and people camp. All is forgiven.

Fenton Lake State Park

This is Fenton.

Jemez Mountains looking dapper.

Jemez ("HAY mez") Springs

We had lunch at Highway 4 Café. They knew what I meant by "vegan," which always makes me feel like I'm not so alone. I had a fairly delicious sweet potato burrito. Among the three of us there were three different dietary requirements, and they managed to work with all of them. No-frills dining.

Do not adjust your set.

Soda Dam. It's not how it sounds - bring your own beverage.

From there I headed toward Datil (where?) and my friends, Betty and John. This is another small and welcoming community. We're cooking up some mischief here. Details to follow ... maybe.

The Land Porcelain Forgot

Sandia Peaks Tramway, Albuquerque New Mexico

Thank you, Joy, for hosting me and a passel (bunch, group, horde) of our old friends! I'm sad to leave, but if I don't go, how will I come back?

Albuquerque is home to the Sandia Peak Tramway, located unexpectedly on Sandia Peak. Last night, we were located unexpectedly on Sandia Peak.

First, Lori and I scoped out the daytime sights while Joy toiled wearily at her J - O - B.

We told people it's not that we're afraid to go up, we just don't need to.

...something something counterweight

Later, I held down the couch and waited for Joy to stop W-O-R-K-I-N-G. Then we were up and away.

Joy recommends the sunset trip. It takes 14 minutes to get to the top. Also 14 minutes to get to the bottom. Coincidence? Definitely not. 

Once you're at the top, you're free to stay as long as you like.

At one point of the ride, you are 960' above the ground.

If you are interested in TWA Flight 260, ask the guide about it when you get on; they're not allowed to mention it unless someone asks.

Albuquerque city lights. Turn left, Bugs.

If the mood is right, and conditions are right, and left is right, you can ski down the other side of the mountain from about 10,000 feet. I like my clumsy descents to be closer to sea level.

Today I'll leave, and then I'll be someplace else. More details later.

~~~~~

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