Thursday, July 18, 2013

My Unplanned Road Trip to New Mexico (part 2)



  It rained all the way to Snyder or there-a-bouts. Where is Snyder you ask? South of Lubbock.  I spent the night there once.  Once.  I looked at this as an unexpected Road Trip in middle of a hot boring summer. I like road trips~they are just usually planned. Cranked up the music and enjoyed the scenery and drive. On roads I had never traveled before. (once I got to Sweetwater anyway) Chick Fil A in abilene.  Went through some small towns. Had a chocolate dipped cone in Post TX. How many can say that?  Speed limit is 75 in most areas so I made good time.  Was surprised to see sand in East New Mexico.  Entering Roswell was a surprise as it was green (irrigated obviously) Once I got there I figured I would hit Socorro at a decent time-I had gained an hour in NM. 
  Wrong.  Highway 380 is pretty. Mountains. Lincoln National Forest.
 What you don’t realize is the part when you get to Hondo and the road splits (on a mountain) It looks more like an afterthought-or turnoff for people that live in that area. Not marked with a big sign saying 380, or Socorro.  Just a split.  So I kept going on 70 (thinking I was on 380) and enjoying the scenery so much I never saw a highway sign until I see the “Riudoso 22 mi” but still think nothing of it.  I drive past the horse sculpture-beautiful lit up.  The racetrack was really pretty with all the lights on. Sits on the side of the mountain.  
 Then I come to a split and realize that none of the towns listed on either sounded right.  None said Socorro either.  It’s dark now.  I turn around and head back to the split. Get into the main part of town and pull over to look at my map (thank God I didn’t rely on my cell phone/navigation) Did I forget to mention that cell service is spotty at best or non-existent?  So I pull out trusty map and find out where I am. Shit.  I took the “scenic unplanned detour”  It was really pretty up until that point.  So my phone got reception enough to tell me which road to take from there-so I headed south. Or “where ever”  It was a 2 lane, winding, mountain road. Going downhill. Did I mention how dark it was? Or how much "fun" it is to drive down a winding mountain road you've never been on in pitch black darkness? I think I passed a few cars but not much traffic.  
Not exactly what you want to see late at night in middle of nowhere. (took this the next day-but when i saw it at night my thought was "did i just see 'missile firing?!'
 I had NO idea if I was headed in the right direction, there were no lights, no moon, no navigation lady telling me where to go.  I prayed that I was going to make it and not end up in some desolate unmarked part of New Mexico where they would never find me. 
 The road finally flattened out and I came to a dead end (carrizozo) turn left or right. To Socorro.  Thank God.  There was a deer standing on the other side of the road-she just looked at me as I turned. I think she was telling me I was headed in the right direction.  I saw some signs from time to time that said “roadside table” that I thought odd. It wasn’t until the next day that I saw it was just that. A table by the side of the road. It took almost an hour I believe but I made it to Socorro-just before midnight. My “scenic detour” took a little bit longer than the original projected time estimate.  I found Gary’s hotel-after not seeing him for 7 wks he was a welcome sight. We hugged, got in the car and went to Denny’s-the only thing open at that hour.  Sleep was very welcome that night.  My poor journal never got opened while I was gone. 
See, we made it fit!




another shot for our "foot" album







Tuesday July 16, 2013
  Got up, ready, loaded the scooter into the back of the car with some fancy maneuvers. (will update with the picture when I can get it off my phone)  Loaded luggage and ourselves into the car.  By that time we had decided that we would make a few stops on the way so that the drive wasn't totally in vain. We saw the Trinity site.(at least where the sign is that tells about it- the atomic bomb was tested.  We went to the “Valley of Fires  It’s a lava field It covers 125 square miles and is 160 feet deep at the center.  Pretty awesome to see.  Our next stop was the Three Rivers Petroglyph site. (on the way here you could see the edge of the White Sands)   Over 21,000 different symbols have been documented here.  It was about a mile hike total and very worth it. The weather was sunny, breeze-68 I believe.  Even when it was warmer it was nice because there is NO humidity.  I took lots of pictures here-very worth the drive to NM. 
Next we headed to Riudoso. I really expected it to be more upscale for some reason. Still a cute area.  We stopped for a burger, then drove to the horse sculptures. Another photo opportunity. Wish I could have bottled up the fresh air and pine smell.  Now it was time to actually head for home.  We made a brief stop in Roswell (bathroom break) at the coolest McDonalds. Spaceship themed building, décor and play area. The downtown had alien head’s for the light covers. I would have loved to have seen them at night lit up.  We did stop a few time to take pictures of historical markers.
Also got a picture of a huge bird’s next on top of a pole (eagle)? Other than stops for gas we had a very late “dinner” in Clyde TX (Whataburger) and finally got home around 3:30 am July 17. 
  So Gary and the Scooter (who now needs a name) were rescued and brought safely home-and I got a scenic road trip out of the deal.              
  
An example of how far you can see on some of these roads

another foot picture for our collection

petroglyph

Horse Sculptures



Historical marker

alien at mcdonald's

street light





The giant bird's nest

another marker

there were signs for cow, deer, elk and fire trucks
setting sun

My Unplanned Road Trip to New Mexico (part 1)



As some of you know, Gary has been in Las Vegas for 7 weeks dealing in the World Series of Poker (WSOP)
His job ended on thurs july 11th.  Fri was tying up loose ends etc…  He decided he was going to drive his SCOOTER home-a scenic “adventure”  He left Vegas Saturday morning and headed south.  Made it to Flagstaff where he spent the night.   Sunday he was told by highway patrol no more interstate-bicycles only.  So he headed to the back roads as originally planned. (big mistake but who am I to say?)  
Sunday July 14, 2013 
10:22 pm (central time) I get a phone call.  The back tire lost air/got a hole/whatever…it went out and the bike went down/wrecked/blow out. Right near the VLA. Of course he couldn't see it in the pitch black night. Road rash on the elbow area-through his jacket. Bruised hip area. Wounded pride.  Stranded. On a two lane, hardly traveled road. In the pitch black of night.  No lights anywhere.  Two cars pass, but no one stops (would you?) “somewhere” in New Mexico.
10:44 He is going to call a wrecker to come get him. The nearest wrecker is about 50 mi away. One way. When I finally went to bed (not like I could do anything from here) they were on the way to pick him up. (I didn't get much sleep though) I received two more texts that they DID show up and got him to town. Socorro NM and he got a hotel room. The clerk was not Norman Bates.


Monday July 15, 2013   do my morning errands and come home. Decide to look up car rentals/truck rentals in the Socorro/ Albuquerque area.  No dice if you are going one way. Car rentals yes, with an additional $500. Drop off charge. (they have to pay someone to drive the car back)  So that is not going to be an option.  I texted him to basically tell him that he was screwed on that option.  He called a friend to see if he wanted to make a road trip-expenses paid but he said his truck was not reliable enough. I finally told Gary go measure the scooter w/out wheels and I would measure the inside of my car to see if it would fit. At an angle it would just fit in the back (Honda Fit) appropriate. So I threw some stuff in a bag, gathered up my journal and stuff and hit the road.  Once I got gas and got on the way it was about 12:20pm and rainy.
 
this guy was not having a good monday


me, road trip when the sun came out
New Mexico-sand  no beach
Trees in w Texas-in the middle of flat fields
Foreshadowing...(or also known as "you've gone the wrong damn way")




Wednesday, July 10, 2013

SEWN

SEWN started on July 4.  I got a late start but soon joined the party.  We're painting patterns. Lots of patterns on paper-whatever comes to mind.  It's very addicting and soothing.  It seems the past few summers I have not had much creativity. (could have something to do with the heat/drought we've had the past
3 yrs)  This class is a welcome distraction from the weather-and makes me feel like i'm being at least a little bit creative.  Today I made my pattern book. come join in-there's plenty of room!
patterns

more patterned papers

found this painted sheet today so added the circles

colored thread waiting for use
my pattern book


   

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

I Gave Myself a Party

Organized a party is more like it since we met at a restaurant.  I turned 50 in May, decided to invite
some friends to join me for dinner.  Since my actual birthday weekend was already booked I planned to
celebrate in late June.  I said 'no presents' but they didn't listen.  I wasn't vying for gifts-just wanted
to hang out with my art friends.  We met at Siciliano's for yummy italian food.  I should have taken a picture of my food (from margo) and the rolls.  The rolls are to die for.  it's hard to eat just 3, or 4...or more.
So thanks to those who were able to join me in extending the year of celebrating 50!
Patti, Margo, Traci, April, Mary, Donna G and me sitting

Patti, Margo, Melody, April, Mary,Donna G and me (sitting)

earrings by patti

lampshade by april


from mel

from mel-after a rough two weeks i had mowing...

from donna
card from Traci
from mary


the inside~and i turned 50 :)