DAY 113- Hay, Harriet, & Molly’s…

It was still raining when I got up in Macon, GA.  I was a bit disappointed because I had hoped to visit the Ocmulgee National Monument which is a preservation of southeastern Native American culture.  I guess it has an earth lodge and burial mounds on site but with the rainy weather some of it would be closed.  I also was considering stopping by Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in Locust, GA which would have been on my way to Atlanta but that was open only when weather was permitting.   Rainy weather in this case was not a good thing and I needed to find stuff I could do inside.  I got my computer on-line after grabbing breakfast and did some searching.

Photo- Hay House from the front street area.

That’s where I found a place called the Hay House.  It had some good reviews.  I googled the address for it and also got the address and directions for a Harriet Tubman Museum nearby too.  I figured between those two, I could fill a few hours before I needed to drive on to Atlanta, GA for the night.

I pulled up to the house and I have to admit that the on-line pictures didn’t do it justice.  It was a beautiful old Italian Renaissance house on a well sculptured landscaped corner lot.  I parked across the street and saw a sign that said for tours enter through the back entrance.  I walked around to the back door.  I walked in and told them I was interested in a tour.  I got a bit of a discount with my AAA and I was introduced to my lovely tour guide.  She had a good friend that moved to Utah recently and we started talking.  It was more like taking a tour with a good friend and it was rather fun; it was just myself and the tour guide.

My tour guide took me into a room in the basement where she told me the history of the Hay House.  The house was built by Mr. William Butler Johnston who was a wealthy retired man in his 40’s and his new bride in her 20’s.  They had gone on a 3 year honeymoon trip in Europe and came back to Macon inspired to build a house.   The building of the house started in 1855 and was finished up in 1859; this occurred during the Civil War.  It took a bit longer because there weren’t many craftsmen available to build houses; most of them had volunteered to go off to war.  But when it was finished it was referred to as the “Palace of the South”. 

The house passed on through to further generations of the family until it became too large and expensive to up keep.  Then, it was sold in 1926 to the wealthy Mr. Hay who was a founder of a bank and life insurance company.  In 1977, it was donated by Hay family descendants to the Georgia Trust Historic Preservation where eventually it was designated as a National Historic Landmark.   Which all I can say is that’s a very good thing because this house was amazing!

Photo- The front door area of the Hay House.

From the basement, I went out a side door and my tour guide let me in from the front door where the porch had an amazing design that I didn’t see when I went around to the back.  The front doors were 12 ft. tall and 5 inches thick carved wood.  I walked in through them and my breath was taken away!  Carved painted wood, molded plaster, faux bois (painted wood graining), and hand painted friezes, etched glass, and painted areas that looked amazingly like marble.  I was in awe!  The tour guide kind of chuckled at me but I was speechless.  It amazed me that all this high level of craftsmanship took place in a time when it was done with hand tools; I could really understand why it was called “The Palace of the South” because it was and still maybe is. 

We went from room to room; while my tour guide pointed out different aspects and nuances of the house.  There was a Christmas luncheon being served in a large downstairs room and we jumped ahead a bit to get those areas before they were filled.  She talked and showed things that were restored or made to look like the original.  She explained some of the ventilation and planning behind the house’s layout.  I got to see one of the first ever elevators that were installed into a house in the US.  Though, this one was more designed with the idea transporting kohl and ash between the floors than people. 

Then, we went upstairs and I got to see where efforts were still being made on the second for restoration.  It was a little rougher up here and simpler but even then I saw the possibilities of it all.  We went through the second floor and then down the backstairs to the basement into the kitchen area.  She showed me the speaker tubes that were used to call servants and explained how they worked.  There was a drawing and an open floor area that showed some of the heating and cooling that were used for the house.  That was the end of the tour but I ended up chatting with the tour guide for a while until another group showed up for a tour.  Unfortunately, they do not allow photography to be taken inside of the home.  However, I did take a few of the outside afterwards.

Photo- The wall murals in the first room at the Tubman African American Museum.

Next, I drove over to the Tubman African American Museum.  I paid the entrance fee and then the layout of the museum was explained to me.  This museum has been in existence since 1981 and since then it has been preserving, collecting, and exhibiting works of art and historical artifacts of the African American culture.  It is the largest museum in the southeast dedicated to African American history, art, and culture in the US.  It was named in honor of Harriet Tubman who is described as a “Black Moses” for leading slaves to freedom and serving as a Union spy, nurse, during the Civil War.

The museum starts with a room full of colorful painted wall murals which feature Africans throughout history.  Harriet Tubman is featured prominently in one of them.  As you turn the corner there’s an area dedicated to Harriet Tubman with photos, documents, newspaper articles, and even a wanted posted stating a reward for her capture during the Civil War.  Next you enter into an exhibit hall area.  At current they were exhibiting Mr. Imagination’s artwork.  He was born in Chicago under the name of Gregory Warmack and he uses cast off objects in his art.  He is best known for using bottle caps in his artwork.  I guess you could almost say he was the father of now what we call recycled art.

In the next room, the museum shows more current art African American art from local Georgia artists.  There was one piece I liked in particular called I’d Rather Two-Step Than Waltz, Step Three.  The mixed media features two figures of a young girl and boy in a dancing pose with other object surrounding them.  It was just a fascinating piece.  Then, the museum went on to show Folk Art and explained what it is and why it is important to a culture.  Next was the Inventors Gallery and had a sampling of what inventions came from the minds of African Americans.  It was amazing to see the inventions; some of which get used in our everyday life.   

Photo- The Inventors Gallery.

 

From there, I climbed upstairs to a second floor where there more African American art and a film that’s playing.  The film is based on the true life story of two slaves that escaped the Macon, GA during the Civil War.  From that area you went into a larger area that had pottery and other pieces of art on the walls.  I was amazed at how large the place was because it doesn’t appear to be that large from the outside.  I walked down the stairs and checked out the gift shop area before I left.  I found a bumper sticker and purchased it.

As I was getting ready to leave, I asked the women where a good place would be to have lunch.  She mentioned a couple of places but then said that I would probably like Molly’s on Cherry Street and gave me directions.  Molly’s on Cherry Street was a simple little place on the corner that does new specials every day.  I had the gumbo-like soup that the gal mentioned was the soup of the day.  She said it was very hearty and I will admit that it was.  I would have called it more a stew than a soup.  I had a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant with it.  This was a hearty sandwich too.  I had a mud brownie with a bit of ice-cream for dessert.  But more than the food or the place itself; it was one of those places were you were made to feel welcomed and at home.  The server and the host made you feel like part of the family and they quite often were hugging regular people as they came in through the door.  This was a very local place and one filled with all kinds of warmth.  Next with a happy tummy, I found myself on my way driving to Atlanta, GA.

DAY 107- The Old, New & Vampires…

I woke up to the sound of water all round me.  It was pouring rain outside, the person in the next room was using in the shower, and I could hear the fountain in the hotel’s atrium.  Is it any wonder that I rushed to the bathroom the first thing in the morning?  I asked the hotel clerk for directions to the Louisiana State Capital that’s located in Baton Rouge.  I teased her that she wouldn’t have to give me directions to come back.  She could send me off never to return.  I think she wondered if she should be laughing or not.

Photo- The outside of the tallest State Capital Building.

I found my way with her directions to the State Capital but to tell you the truth it was hard not to miss the building because it was one of the tallest in the area.  At 450 ft. tall and 34 floors it is the tallest State Capital in the US.  It also has quite a history.  It was finished in March 1932 and it took quite a powerful legislator to get it built during the height of the Great Depression.  That same powerful governor was also assassinated in the building a few years later. Huey P. Long is buried on the grounds and his statue looks towards the building.  Louisiana has quite the interesting political history; as I found out later on when I went to see the Old State Capital.

Photo- Inside the Senate Chambers of the Louisiana Capital.

But first I explored the New Louisiana State Capital.  I went through the areas on the 1^st floor and explored what was open.  The building is currently undergoing some major renovations and quite a bit of it was closed because of the work being done.  I then rode the elevator up to the 24^th floor with 5 construction guys up the elevator which I had to laugh I was the only one to hit a floor button.  They were just along for the ride and one of them complimented me on my purse.  It made me wonder if the construction work was a “bit” behind. 

Photo- The foggy and rainy view I had from the 27th floor.

When I got up to the 24^th floor I walked across the landing area and got on a smaller elevator that took me to the 27^th floor where there’s a gift shop and an observation deck.  It was still rainy out but I went out onto the deck anyway.  I had to see the view and I imagine on a clear day it would have been beautiful.  But even with clouds and rain, it was a pretty view.  The security guard looked at me strange that I had actually gone out in that weather but it was in the mid-70’s and rainy.  I thought it was rather refreshing.

Photo- Louisiana's Old State Capital-- A Castle!

Next, I walked in the rain 6 blocks to the Old State Capital.  I never saw a picture of Old Capital and I had expected a domed creation of some sort but I ended up standing in front of a castle.  I walked in and wow!  There were black and white checked floors, beautiful wood, and stained glass.  I talked with the gals at the information desk and found about the ghost movie.  I went into the gift shop to pay for that and then met her and a married couple that also paid for the movie.  It was a fun, cool experience and I don’t want to give anything more away but it’s very worth the $3.  It did cover some of the amazing interesting history of the old building and how it was able to make a comeback twice in its long history. 

Photo- The view as you go in the door at the Old Capital.

After the movie, I explored around the beautiful old Capital building.  The first floor had a history of how Louisiana came to be a state.  It was very interesting because there was even a bust of Napoleon Bonaparte.  In another area on the first floor, there’s an area dedicated to the famous Huey P. Long former governor and state senator.  It was an interesting way of talking about the man.  There was a section that was pro- Huey and another section that was anti- Huey.   I had never seen such a history of an historical figure before.  Most times you get the good and that’s all.  But this showed him from both sides and then showed the assignation from two different theories too. 

Photo- WOW! The amazing stained glass area just above the second floor!

On the second floor up the spiral staircase, there are pictures along the walls of the former governors.  Above those is the arched stain glass area which is just amazing to behold.  Also, on the second floor were two large room areas that looked like they were ready for Christmas events.  There was another room where there were bridal photos that were taken within the Old Capital building.  That would be amazing to have a wedding in such a venue. 

I walked back to my car in the rain.  Yes, it was still raining and it was supposed to be over by noon according to the local weatherman.  But I guess that Mother Nature had other plans.  I got onto the interstate and headed east to New Orleans.  The first 20 miles was solid traffic as it went through a construction zone but as I came to the town of Iowa, LA the roads cleared up some.  Yes, there’s an Iowa in the state of Louisiana.  I just had to stop and check it out being that I grew up in Iowa.  There wasn’t much but it made for a good stop for gas and a break from the traffic.

Next, it was on to New Orleans, LA and I reserved a place down in the French Quarter to stay for a couple of nights.  When I got to New Orleans, I stopped at the Visitor’s Center just outside of the French Quarter.  I talked with a woman with a very heavy Cajun-French accent and she gave me directions to my hotel.  I found my little hotel about 6 blocks away on Burgundy Street.  I got checked in and while I was checking in I also got signed up for the Vampire Tour that night and a Cemetery Tour the next morning.  I then asked where a good place to eat for the night.  I was directed to Deanie’s and was told to tell them that John, the front desk clerk’s name, had sent me.  All of New Orleans’s tourist business seems to be based on a referral system.

Photo- Deanie's where I had dinner my first night in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

I found Deanie’s, which the hotel clerk had pronounced Deedee’s, and had a wonderful small seafood pizza and a large version of a Long Island Ice tea.  It was while I was having my dinner that three Louisiana State Police walk in and check out the establishment’s liquor lisc.  It was interesting seeing them in their blue polo shirts and tan pants with guns strapped at their waist.  All this to verify a liquor lisc?  It seemed a bit much but the manager showed up and things proceeded smoothly.

I walked back to my hotel.  I still had time to blow before the Vampire Tour and thought I might check out a local bar.  John, at the desk, referred me to a place just down the street about 3 blocks.  He said that it would mainly be locals and no real tourists because it was on the edge of the French Quarter.  I walked in and was greeted by a local’s dog that was still in the friendly puppy stage.  I sat down and ended up started a conversation with a couple of friends that have lived in the area for a while(Andrew and Stephanie).  I got the inside scoop on the beignets and learned that the bars never really closed down here.  The locals take their time with the drinking.  I also learned that you can carry out of the bar as long as it is in plastic.

Photo- Part of the French Quarter at night.

Shortly after that I was carrying what was left of my beer over to the start of the Vampire Tour.  There was a good group of about 15 people; all tourists on the tour.  We were told about the history of the area and the possibilities of vampires by some of the things that happened in the past in the area as we walked along in the French Quarter.  Our guide stopped and pointed out buildings that were in a movie or had some kind of questionable vampire history.  I think it was exaggerated but it was all in good fun.   

We stopped towards the middle of the tour for a quick drink and bathroom drink at a local bar on the tour route.  I’m sure that the tour guide got a kick back for this.  And again at the end of the tour it was ended at another bar.  Be sure to have plenty of cash on hand when you are in New Orleans because some of the bars only take cash but there’s always an ATM nearby with an extra fee to be paid.

DAY 93- Abilene to Dallas, TX…

I woke up to a HUGE loud bang against metal at 5AM in my hotel room in Abilene.  A cowboy had dropped his heavy overnight bag into his huge diesel pickup truck that was parked right out front of my room.  BANG!  5AM in the morning and I already felt like I had a heart attack!  A few minutes later the whole room was vibrating when he started up his truck.  Shortly after that I heard more cowboy boots thudding around and more loud pickup trucks starting up.  These cowboys liked to start their days early around these parts.  I looked out the window and the 75% of the parking lot that had been pickup trucks last night were gone. 

I decided to start a pot of coffee and get ready for the day too.  I got on-line and figured out what there was to do in Abilene before I started my drive to Dallas where I would spend the Thanksgiving Holiday.  I found out a few possibilities and headed up front for breakfast and a bit of assistance for directions. 

Photo- Frontier Texas a FUN place to visit and learn about Texas Hertiage.

Off I went towards historic downtown Abilene; I stopped southeast of it and went into Frontier Texas!  It’s a western heritage center that focuses on the frontier time period of Texas history.  It’s done with a new level of technology.  I went in paid the $8 entrance fee and wasn’t sure what to expect.  I was handed a map of the museum and before I knew it this southern Texas older gentleman was taking the map out of my hands and very nicely explaining what the museum was and how it worked.  He seemed impressed that I was all the way from Salt Lake City and wanted to ensure that I had a good time visiting Frontier Texas.  He was very sweet.

Photo- Inside the Frontier Texas an example of a covered wagon.

I had to wait for a few minutes for the next starting time.  Frontier Texas has a series of holographic spirit guides that take you through the history.  It was an amazing experience where these 6 historical figures took you through the history by telling you about parts of it.  In the first room, a hologram of Buck Taylor briefly introduced the spirit guides that you would be meeting as you went along.  In the second room, Buck Taylor’s hologram gave you a general overview of the Texas history; the big picture as it was called.  Then, I went down a hall where I went on to meet another spirit guide a Native American Indian that talked about the history of his people and what the land was like before all the settlers came. 

Photo- A community tooth brush!!??!  Ewwwwww!!

There were items to read and interactive things that you could along the way too.  I walked through a tepee and then met another two of the spirit guides.  These two were kind of having an interactive conversation with each other and it was very informative.  Next, I turned a corner and met a Captain Marcy.  There was a series of buttons in front of him that you could press to get answers to questions.

Down another hallway you got to meet another spirit guide who was a cowboy that moved cattle on a trail.  Though, there weren’t any real trails at that time.  He talked about the dangerous life on the trail.    Then, across the room on the other side you met another spirit guide who was a former slave that had been freed in hopes of locating his family that had been taken by Indians during a raid.  He ended up finding them and ended up going into the business of delivering supplies to pioneers. 

Then, I waited for a few minutes to get into the theater area where a presentation takes place.  It’s an amazing presentation where you sit on chairs that could be spinned in 360 degrees.  The theater show goes on all around you and it’s a wonderful presentation about the frontier Texas life.  After the theater show there was one more spirit guide that you met that I found interesting in that the woman who had managed to escape from Indian capture seemed to go through quite a few husbands on the frontier. Her first husband had been killed in the Indian raid.  She remarried and the next one went to check on the horses in the barn and didn’t come back.  She remarried again a military man this time that ended up being killed in action with Indians.  Then, I was at the end of Frontier Texas and was deposited in the gift shop area.  It was very worth the $8 entry fee.

Photo- The outside of the Grace Museum which is a restored hotel.

Next, I drove further into historic downtown of Abilene and located the Grace Museum.  I parked the car and walked in.  I paid the $8 entrance fee and was admitted to the Art Museum.  There are three floors of art.  On the first floor there was a featured exhibit called Wild Things.  There were two different artists displayed in this exhibit; one was Billy Hassell who painted colorful oil paintings with wildlife represented in them and the other artist was David Everett who had some amazing three dimensional wooden carved and colorfully painted sculptures.  On the second floor of the art museum there was a Texas Impressionism Exhibit titled Branding with Brushstroke and color, 1885 to 1936.  It featured several local impressionistic artists that had been in the area when Texas was just coming into being made a state.  The third floor featured a black and white photography exhibit by David H. Gibson called Quiet Beauty.  It was a wonderful art museum to visit and quite high quality for such a smaller town area.

Photo- The inside of Cypress Street Cafe in Historic Downtown of Abilene, TX.

I walked next door to have lunch at the Cypress Street Station Café.   It was a wonderful older building that had been remodeled to be a restaurant and featured a white tin punched ceiling.  I had the special of the day which had a beef quesadilla, chicken chimi, and a fresh salad with fresh sweet salsa vinaigrette.  It was a wonderful meal.  After lunch, I walked through a Texas gift shop down the street where it had anything and everything that was Texas.  It was fun going through but I just window shopped my way through it.

It was time to start heading towards Dallas.  It was basically a straight drive east on I-20.  It was a fairly heavy traffic day on the interstate and I think it was due to everyone heading somewhere for Thanksgiving which was the next day.  I set my cruise control for a bit below the speed limit and just went through with the flow.

Construction was a nightmare when I got into Dallas.  The exit that I should have taken was under construction and when I got off the interstate to try to back track the streets were curving every which way that I ended up getting totally lost.  I was lost about an hour and a half amid the Dallas Wednesday night rush hour traffic with construction.  I will say that it was really rather frustrating.  I also discovered that it was similar to driving in Salt Lake City in that if you put your blinker on they wouldn’t let you over.  I started driving like I did in Salt Lake City and just started to head over as a space appeared.  It all kind of reminded me of when the SLC was preparing for the Olympics and we had the Toboggan run going on with I-15.  I finally did manage to find the hotel and I opted to stay in the hotel for dinner.  I had enough of Dallas driving for the day.

DAY 86- Alpacas & Rough Riders…

Yesterday when I drove through Mora, which is north of Vegas, NM, I saw a sign about feeding Alpacas at a place called Victory Ranch.  It was almost the Ranch’s closing time when I drove through but I thought I might still check it out.  So here I was doing a bit of backtracking so that I could have the opportunity to feed live Alpacas.  Yes, that’s the story of my life these days; as sad as it may sound.

Photo- Alpacas out grazing in the field at Victory Ranch.

I drove to Mora about 29 miles north and halfway through town I turned right and headed east.  At mile marker one, the ranch was off to the left.  I had driven by Alpacas who were out on in the field for about the last ½ mile.  I followed the signs and took a dirt track back to a barn like store towards the rear of the complex.  I parked and went in.  There were all kinds of wonderful wool products available for sale.  I asked the girl if I was too late for the 11AM feeding for the Alpacas.  It was a couple minutes after 11AM, and the next feeding time posted was 1PM.  She said that it should be no problem and got on the phone.

I paid my $5 fee and she set me up watching a video about Alpacas while I waited for Brian to show up.  She said he does the educational talk before you go out to feed the Alpacas.  I had just barely managed to sit down and watch the video when Brian turned up with a Folgers plastic coffee can in hand.

Photo- Brian, Mr. Educational, at Victory Ranch.

Brian led me out to the veranda part of the store, had me sit down on a bench, and started explaining the history of Alpacas.  Alpacas are related to camels.  There used to be camels in North America and some moved over the land to South America and others moved over to Asia and Africa.  They’ve all adapted to the climates and have changed from the original camels.  The camels in North America became extinct in the 1200’s; but the others have survived.

Brian went on to explain that the different aspects such as; breeding, sheering, and how the farm is set up.  There are four dogs and four lamas to protect the Alpacas.  The four dogs I understood but the Alpacas?  That was new to me.  But they are gentle with the herd and fierce when it comes to protecting the herd.  They will attempt to stomp on any predator.  It’s their natural instinct, and they are also related to the Alpacas only they were breed for carrying rather than for their fur.  He went on to tell a couple of stories of when they’ve had the lamas cornered wolves.  It was all very interesting.

Photo- Coal entering into the pen with the kindergarten crew of Alpacas.

Photos- Feeding the Alpacas.

 

Then, Brian used a walkie talkie and had Coal come take me out to feed the Alpacas.  I would be in the pen with what they called the kindergarteners; all of which were still in their first year.  They did the feedings of these youngest ones so that they could get used to being around people.  That way it would be easier later on to deal with them when it was sheering time.  Coal walked to the pen and right away they spotted the red Folgers coffee can.  They knew what was coming and they were all gathering at the gate.  Coal poured a little on the ground and then let me fill my little cup with some so I could start feeding them.  Quite a few of them were working on the ground but a few were watching as I got prepared to feed them.

I put some from my cup into my open slightly cupped hand and here they came!  One that was called Duke was especially a greedy one and stayed right by my cupped hand waiting for me to fill it.  Duke had this figured out.  I kept on moving my hand to let other get a chance and there were plenty of them wanting their chance.  There were almost 20 of them in the pen.  In general they were not very aggressive at all; rather docile.  They have no upper front teeth just bottom teeth so it was rather interesting having them feed out of your hand.  The feed had molasses and oats in it and this was a treat for them; normally they would be munching on grass out in the field area.  I was allowed to continue feeding until the Folgers coffee can was empty.  It was a fun experience.

Photo- Duke, the greedy Alpaca!

I drove back south through the ghost town of Mora and past Storrie Lake; into Las Vegas I went.  I was headed to the town museum where part of the museum is dedicated to the Teddie Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.  I parked outside and went in.  I was welcomed and told there was no charge but there was a donation box if I wanted to donate.

Photo- Gear from the Rough Riders in one of the cases in the Las Vegas,NM Museum.

The Rough Riders as they came to be known were the 1^st US Voluntary Cavalry Regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt.  Quite a bit of the collection in the Las Vegas museum is material from the Cuban Campaign of 1898 Spanish-American War.  But there are photos and objects from the Rough Rider “Reunions” that took place in Las Vegas, NM too.  The Rough Riders were a tight knit group and met for yearly for reunions.  The first reunion took place in August of 1899.  Las Vegas at that time was the BIG city in the area and was convenient by railroad.  There were reunions in other cities such as; Oklahoma City, Colorado Springs, San Antonio, and Prescott, AZ.  But those that were left voted to hold any further reunions in Las Vegas.  The last “reunion” was held in 1968; one of the last two remaining past away later that year.  The last man standing of the Rough Riders pasted away in 1975.

Photo- Plaque of famous quote made by Teddie Roosevelt.

Also at this small town there were memorabilia and signs from the HUGE Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo which were quite the event in Las Vegas for years.  It also seemed to fit in nicely with the Rough Rider Reunions.  Las Vegas also happens to be on the Santa Fe Trail which there was old road signs and move memorabilia from that too.  It was quite the interesting little museum.

Photo- Statue in Las Vegas Plaza area.

Photo- Some of the historic building on the Plaza in Las Vegas, NM.

Next, I wandered down to the Plaza area of Las Vegas.  It’s an oval city park plaza area that is surrounded by older historic buildings.  There was a colorful sculpture in honor of “Our Lady of Sorrow Parrish” and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.  Our Lady of Sorrow Parrish was the first Catholic Church in the area.  I walked around the square and checked out the buildings and what not.  Then, I had lunch at El Rialto Restaurant which Coal at Victory Ranch had recommended.  He grew up in Las Vegas and said it was his favorite place outside of his girlfriend’s cooking.  But he did say that anything in the Plaza area was good.

I ordered the three combo taco special with posole, which I have never had before.  It was the posole or Mexican rice, and I had never tried it so I thought what the heck (sorry hanging out in Utah too many years).  Posole is hominy spiced up, AND I happened to discover that I didn’t like it.  However, I LOVED the tacos.  These tacos were made from scratch right down to the taco shell.  They were amazing!  Then, I had fresh made to order sopapilla with honey for dessert.

Next, I was zooming along on the road on my way to Albuquerque for the night.  From there I would head further south, and I hope on to warmer weather.  I ended up getting stuck for a while in Albuquerque rush hour traffic.  But I will say it still didn’t hold a candle to the San Diego Rush hour before Monday Night Football.  I took an easy night in and ended up doing laundry.  I was a bit over due for this but now was the time.

DAY 85- Historic Taos & Another Vegas...

I left the hotel and headed south about ½ mile towards the Taos historic area.  I had driven on the main road through the area and had visited the Taos Historic Inn the night before but hadn’t really gotten a full look at the area.  I turned on Carson Road and parked in a free parking lot.  I walked around the Historic area.  Most of the shops were not opened and I was wondering if I was really hitting it during the off season time.  I did see a wonderful little courtyard area as I checked to see if a gallery was open. 

Photos- There are several courtyards in historic Taos.

I crossed over Hwy 68 to heart of the Historic area.  I visited a couple of art galleries; one of which was a collective.  I ended up talking with the gal that was manning the collective about bicycling in the area.  She did it a little bit and had recently been joining her daughter in running in the area too.  She was real nice and I asked her what the winters were like in Taos.  She said that it got really cold and snowy; nothing like what I’ve gotten used to in Utah.  I asked her about other things in the area too. 

I continued to wander along.  I went to a t-shirt shop where I found a Taos t-shirt that I liked; a big surprise.  NOT!  I talked with the clerk at this shop and found out that quite a few of the businesses didn’t open until 11AM.  She didn’t know why but they did.  But she did say that it was a slow time of year until they started getting some REAL snow and then the skiers would be swinging by.  She teased me that I was more than welcome to hang out in her shop with her for the day; that was she wouldn’t be too lonely and I wouldn’t be chilly.  I had left my gloves in the car, and it was a bit chilly.   She was a bit of a character.

Photo- A side area of historic Taos.

Next, further down the way on the other side of a courtyard, I went into a clothing shop where a young gal had managed to get me to try on some items of pricey clothes that I really did not need at all.  She was a good salesperson.  She was fun to talk with and it was just fun trying on stuff that I knew I would never wear or need.  I felt like I was shopping with one of the gals.  I thanked her for her time and wished her luck finding an earring she had dropped just before I got there.  She said she had forgotten about the earring while I was there.

I went into a sporting goods store down the street where they had a covered outside area that you could shop in.  I was kind of hoping to find a cheap winter cap but the cheapest I could find was $35.  I also looked at some nice winter jackets but they were way too pricey for this girl.  But I was having fun and the people in the area were fun to talk with.  I went in several more shops and eventually through another courtyard area.  I had a side walk vendor ask where I got my bag; he liked it.  And I couldn’t remember where I had gotten the bag.  I apologized to the guy and he said no worries gal.  I continued to explore and took a couple of turns.  I was almost across the street from where I went for dinner last night. 

I was in the mood for late lunch.  I found a nice little restaurant called Graham’s Grill which I had seen in the same booklet as the Adobe Bar I went to last night.  I went in and asked to see the menu.  There was a pumpkin bisque that sounded wonderful and I was very much in the mood for some soup.  I asked to be seated and was shortly after waited on. 

Photo- One of the entrances to Graham's Grill in Taos.

I ordered a mocha latte, the Pumpkin New Mexico Red Chili Bisque with a Caesar salad.  The server seemed glad that I knew what I wanted.  I could understand; on one side there were a pair of women talking over their open menus and on my other side was a guy with glass of wine, menu off to side and he’s pecking away at a laptop.  A HUGE green cup came with my steaming mocha latte.  I had to let it cool down, but I always love it when coffee is served in huge ceramic cups.  I looked around while I waited.  The walls were a warm lemon yellow; there were touches of royal blue and sage green with vaulted ceiling.  It was a fun atmosphere with a hint of yuppie. 

The bisque with salad arrived.  The salad threw me for a bit.  It was a Caesar dressing served over part of a still intact baby romaine lettuce head.  I definitely needed to use a fork and knife for this salad.  Awe! The bisque was amazing!  First there was the sweetness of the pumpkin and then the spice of the red chili and other spices would give it a wonderful kick but not too much of one.  The balance of the sweet and spicy was pure perfection.  What a wonderful meal it was and if the recipe for this bisque was in the cookbook that was being advertised on the table it might be worth the purchase.  But the last time I got to cook was over two weeks ago; what did I need a recipe book for?  But if any of you are looking for a gift for a cook in the family I bet this would be a good cookbook to get.

Photo- A bit of snow and evergreens heading south out of Taos.

Off south I went on Hwy 518 out of Taos; this was called a scenic byway.  I went through a forest of evergreen trees with bits of snow on the ground here and there.  The road wound around, up and over.  It was really a pretty drive and there was little traffic.  As I headed more south the scenery changed from evergreens to a more rocky arid landscape and then eventually to an almost flat dry brush.  There’s a lot of variety in the New Mexico area and maybe that’s why they call it the land of enchantment.

Photo- A rocky landscape as I headed further south towards Las Vegas,NM.

I drove into Las Vegas, NM and wouldn’t have known it until I saw the city limits sign.  Eventually, as I drove further there was a Wal-Mart and strip malls along the road.  It was nothing like the other Vegas; this one was a small town with no gambling.  I quickly got checked into my hotel, ran to the post office for stamps (got to keep the Popette in formed), and then ran by the visitor’s center.  The lady at the visitor’s center was in the process of locking the door when I arrived. 

Photo- The landscape just before Las Vegas,NM.

She asked me how she could help and then gave me a historical brochure that had over 900 different locations in the town; 900, huh?  That could take me awhile.  Most of the places were buildings that had historical significance for the Santa Fe Trail which went through the area.  I drove around for a bit and tried to get my bearings and find places.  But it was getting dark and it was hard finding places in the dark.  I grabbed some take out and went back to the hotel.

DAY 75- Rossen House, Heard Museum, & Loneliness…

Shortly after 8AM I found myself in an elevator heading down for breakfast at the Fairfield Inn in Phoenix.  Laura was trying to convince an older man in the elevator that it wasn’t an LDS Women’s Group that was meeting in the hotel.  He pointed at my coffee cup and said obviously I wasn’t a part of it.  I chuckled and thought if you only knew.  The real irony was that Laura was the only one of the nun’s retreat that was from Salt Lake City.

We got down to the table and Laura introduces me as everyone this is Biker Chick and Biker Chick this is everyone.  Then, Laura went on to say what my actual name was and that Biker was a nickname.  We sat down and then quite a few of the nuns introduced themselves to me.  We also found out that one of the other nuns had started the rumor about there being an LDS Women’s group at the hotel.  She thought it was terribly funny; nuns and their sense of humor.

Photo- Rossen House in downtown Phoenix.

After breakfast, I was left to myself to fend as the nuns and my friend Laura went off to their retreat.  I decided to head downtown to the Historic Heritage Square where I purchased a tour ticket for the Rossen House.  It’s a house that was built in 1895 by a doctor and his wife.  Amazingly, the house was all built within a 6 month period and had all of the modern conveniences of the time like; electric lighting, phones, and hot & cold running water sinks in the upstairs bedrooms.  It was restored to its original beauty and had been quite thee place in its day.  The doctor had been the mayor of Phoenix at the time it was built but they shortly moved out because they had over spent most of their money.  They ended up renting it out to a newspaper man and later sold it. 

But walking through that front door of the Rossen House was really like taking a step back in time.  I was the only one on the tour and the lady was able to explain and answer questions for me specifically which was wonderful.  After the tour in the house she took me to another building where she enthusiastically showed me pictures of the house in the 1970’s before it had been restored.  She also showed me some pictures during the actual restoration project.  I found it all fascinating.  I thanked her for her time at the end of the tour.

Photo- A busy lunch spot in Phoenix is the Pizzeria Bianco.

Next, I decided to go have lunch at a place on the square called Pizzeria Bianco which was situated in an older 1929 building that had housed the Baird Machine Shop at one time.  This pizzeria is equipped with a large wood burning brick oven.  It was very busy but being one I was able to find a place at the bar area to sit and order.  I must have arrived close enough to the time that a gentleman that was next to me; because the next thing I know we are both getting menus and being asked what we want to drink.

I looked at the guy next to me and said I think he (our server) thinks we are here together.  We both tell the server that we are not together to which a couple of woman to my right quickly tell me I’m not playing it right and that I should’ve let the server assume and I could’ve gotten my lunch paid for.  We all laugh and I order my drink.  I ask the gals how large are their pizzas at the restaurant to which they reply that they are 12”.  Owf!  That’s a little much for one I think and I must have said too.  The guy next to me orders the Wise Guy Pizza which is wood roasted onion, smoked mozzarella, and fennel sausage which ends up being what I wanted to order too. 

I asked if he wants to share a pizza.  He said yes, and we introduced ourselves.  Trace is his name and he’s a freelance sports writer from Washington DC.  He’s covering some baseball in the area and once he says that the guy on his other side starts talking his ear off for a few minutes.  Trace eventually said he wanted to get back to talking with his “lunch date” (ha-ha) and after Mr. Baseball fanatic leaves I asked Trace if he felt like he’s having a working lunch.  He laughed and said he could’ve stayed at the ball park if he wanted to have that. 

I asked Trace some questions and he told me about his wife and his daughter who HATES baseball.  Then, I told him what I’m doing and told him a couple of quick stories.  He said that he would love to do something like what I was doing but it would probably be one of those things he talked about doing but never actual did.  The next thing I know he’s having me take the 2 extra pieces from the pizza and has paying for our lunch wishing me luck on my trip.  He also leans over and thanks the gals for teaming the two of us together which gets a laugh as he walks out the door.  One of those gals asked me a couple of questions and then I send off the parting shot that I DID end up with my lunch being paid for after all.  The gals laughed as I went out the door.

I took the pizza left overs back to my car in the parking garage and then walked over to the Arizona Science Center which looked very interesting but they are having a scavenger hunt with tons of kids and its terribly crowded and noisy.  Naw!  I thought to myself I really don’t want to do this.  I decided to take the pizza back to the hotel and figure out things from there.  On the way back I notice that there’s a Heard Museum just two blocks from the hotel.  I jumped on line and find out what it’s all about.

The Heard Museum is touted as being a masterpiece of blending the American Native story from the first person perspective with American Indian art.  The real bonus was that this gem was only a three block walking distance from the hotel.  I walked over and paid for my entrance.

Photo- An inside courtyard just before the museum's entrance at Heard Museum.

I just happened to time it that there was two docent American Indian Natives giving a tour right after I got there.  I followed through with their group.  It was a really wonderful tour because the two of them would blend in personal stories of personal experiences with their families into the tour as they talked about certain areas within the museum as they gave the tour together.  They took turns.  It was a young girl who was of Pueblo decent and a young man who I never did hear which tribe he was from.  They would interpose some humor here and there in their stories.  Also some of the other people asked some very good questions and I found it a very enlightening and educational experience.  After the tour, I walked through some of the other areas of the museum that were not covered in the tour.  I also watched a film about a girl’s coming of age ceremony.  All too soon it was closing time for the museum; 5pm had arrived.

I walked back to the hotel where I visited with Laura for a short bit before she was off for another segment of her retreat.  After she left, I ate left overs and then threw on my bikini and went down to the hot tub.  I was hoping that I might run into some people down there.  Nope!  There was no one down there but me.  I was feeling a bit lonely and was really hoping to have someone show up that I could just talk with.  It was really strange because it was like a rush of feeling lonely hit me; maybe it was a sense of being home sickness.  I don't know but it was like a wall hit me and I just felt terribly, terribly lonely. 

It was almost an hour and no one else had come down to the hot tub.  Still feeling lonely I tried calling my Aunt but got no answer.  Then, I tried a couple of other friend’s numbers but no answer.  I didn’t want to go back up into the hotel room change and go to a bar just so that I could have someone else to talk with.  It’s funny because this was the loneliest I have ever felt on this BIG Adventure so far.  I finally was feeling like a raisin from sitting in the hot tub for so long and went back upstairs to watch a bit of TV.