Hit Me While I’m Down. A Short Story About Me & My Barber

A couple of months ago, I went to the hair salon for a trim. I use the term “Hair Salon” in the loose sense of the term, by which I really mean “very inexpensive hole-in-the-wall barber shop across the street from my house.”

I’ve been going to this barber  since I’ve lived in this ‘hood. It’s cheap, convenient, and I don’t need an appointment. But at my last visit I was pushed to the limit of what a woman can withstand.

Upon completing my hair cut, the barber said to me, “You don’t have a modern cut, but you have what works for you.” WTF?? What the hell does that mean? I look like something out of the 1800’s? I look like shit, but it’s by choice?

I tried to shrug off her comments, and I asked her how much I owed her (she’s charged me a couple different prices in the past), and that’s when she mumbled something unintelligible. I had to ask her to repeat what she said, and out came this gem, “Do you get the Senior Discount?” Me: “How old do you have to be for the Senior discount?” Her: “65.” HOLY MOTHER OF GOD…I’m only 57!

I am so done with this place. I just can’t take it. Adios you hair hack!!!

 

 

Weird Job Opportunity!!

July 3, 2016

San Diego, CA

Actual screen shot of the job posting

Since retiring from my career as a commercial photographer, and then retiring from my next career as a personal trainer, I frequently peruse Craigs List looking for other jobs from which I might one day retire.

This one definitely caught my eye. It had “AMAZING OPPORTUNITY” written all over it!

Drive my dog and I around

Ok so I guess I should explain. I know there are dog walkers.

I can walk my own dog.

I do not drive, and he LOVES car rides

compensation $20

I would have jumped all over this, except that the job is in Oceanside, and that’s just too far away from where I live. All that driving would’ve eaten into my profits.

But, had this job opening been in my ‘hood, I’d be doin’ it, baby! I love dogs, and I have a car, and I’m cool with having dogs in my car. I’m sure I could have come up with a very professional looking resume to show off all of these qualifications and then some (my car is clean, my car stereo is pretty good, I never speed, I always come to a complete stop at stop signs, I always keep a doggie water bowl in my car).

I’m pretty sure this is legit. I mean, you just can’t make up stuff like this, right? Unless “Drive my dog and I around” is code for something else….hmmm……

Mystery Of The Mentally Ill Musician

Me and my banjo

June 19, 2016

San Diego, CA

I got this email today, asking me to join a new Meet-Up group that’s forming in my area. It started with:

“I would like to start a Meet-Up group for mentally ill individuals who enjoy music and play an instrument.”

Well, I am a musician, and the thoughts that immediately ran through my brain, in this order, were:

#1. This is a joke, perpetrated by one of my funny musician friends. This is funny!

#2. This is not a joke, but rather, it’s someone asking me to help run a group that will help mentally ill individuals. I would love to help out this great cause!

#3. OMG…someone sent this to me because they think I’m mentally ill! WTF? 

Now, I’m not making fun of mental illness here, so please, no lectures or hate mail. I’m just sayin’, why would I be on the receiving end of that email?

Why does someone think I’m mentally ill?  Is it because I started playing the banjo?

As far as I know, I do not, nor have I ever, suffered from mental illness. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! And not saying that I won’t, someday, acquire a mental illness. Shit happens.

In the meantime, I deleted the email. If they resend the invite, maybe I’ll go check it out.

File this one under, “Things that make you go, hmmmm.”

Run For Your Lives! This City’s Not Safe!

High tech gun removal?

A few weeks ago, I was walking my dogs around the ‘hood, when I came across a sign that scared the crap out of me. The city had put up one little sign on my block to warn residents that they were working on a high tech gun removal program. And they were courteous enough to also warn that this would entail loud blasting. Holy S***!!!!

I know my neighborhood’s got some “issues.” But WTF??? I glanced up and down the surrounding sidewalks and streets, expecting to see a whole fleet of police cars or something, but there was nothing. Nobody. Nowhere. WTF was going on?! And what were they going to blast? Danger, Will Robinson. DANGER!!!!

Sadness crept over me, as I pondered the decay of our society. And naturally, I wondered what kind of high tech guns had been spotted in my community. This was scary shit.

Right then and there, I decided that I was freakin’ tired, TIRED of city living. It’s just not safe.

And then, suddenly, a loud roaring noise erupted at the far end of the block. Huh??? And then I re-read the sign.

Oh….gum removal…not gun removal. And the blasting that they warned of…nothing more than high tech power washers. Ahem…never mind. 

The Latest, Greatest, Newfangled Diet Device

The Cook’s Muzzle

May 9, 2016

San Diego, CA

Introducing…The Cook’s Muzzle. I invented this device last week, when I realized that I consume about a zillion calories, while I’m cooking dinner.

I always seem to start cooking about an hour too late, when I’m way past the point of making rational decisions about anything. And before you know it, I’m eating anything and everything in sight.

And so, I invented this simple device, which you wear while you’re cooking. It makes it impossible to consume unauthorized food products.

See!!! It’s impossible to eat while wearing The Cook’s Muzzle. No food is getting in here!

The Cook’s Muzzle isn’t just for cooking dinner either. You can wear it to prevent mindless gorging anytime you’re around food. My personal favorite….wearing it to parties where they’ll be lots of cakes and cookies. It’s also quite the conversation starter, except that you can’t really conversate while you’re wearing it. But, whatever! I assure you…you will meet interesting people nonetheless.

Wash, Dry, Ride, Repeat…My Hair, part 2

Selfie. Me and my hair. May 5, 2016

San Diego, CA

May 5, 2016

So, I tried it again today…washed my hair, dried it, then followed up with a 15 minute scooter ride (with motorcycle helmet). And yes…it worked again!!! My hair was stunning!

I’ve found the perfect balance of the blow dryer poofing out my hair, with the motorcycle helmet flattening it back down. Good bye bad hair days!! And you thought motorcycle helmet laws were for safety!!! NOT! I now think that those helmet laws were carefully crafted by Vidal Sassoon himself!

I’m envisioning a big chain of hair salons where women get their hair done, then they sit on stationery scooters while wearing helmets. If that doesn’t work out, then I have another idea where women get their hair washed and cut, then they get driven around the block for 15 minutes, while they stick their heads out the window (like doggies do), resulting in the perfect blow dry style. Coming to a town near you……

Enough About You, Let’s Talk About Me and My Hair

As a matter of fact, I do indeed own a hair dryer!

San Diego, CA

May 4, 2016

You probably don’t know this about me, but I’m obsessed with my hair. You wouldn’t know it by looking at me, ‘cause I’ve mastered the “Don’t Give a Crap About My Hair” hairstyle.

In other words, it usually looks like it’s “growing out.” Growing out from what, I’m not sure. You know the look. And I’d like you to believe that I just don’t care. But in fact, I do care. I’m just not willing to do anything about it….until yesterday.

My usual hair routine is this…maybe wash my hair, and then let it air dry. But yesterday…yesterday was special.

Yesterday I had a lunch meeting. And so I washed my hair, and then I dried it with a hair dryer. And then I put on my motorcycle helmet, and rode my scooter to my lunch meeting.

All in all, I’d say I had my motorcycle helmet on for about 15 minutes. When I arrived at my destination, took my helmet off, and caught a glimpse of myself in a nearby window reflection…OMG….my hair looked awesome!! It was like something out of a magazine, like an ad for Pantene or some other luxurious shampoo!!! I couldn’t stop touching it and swinging it around, like they do in all those shampoo commercials (almost tweaked my neck). It was, well, spectacular!

So you know what I’m thinking, right? This is my new hair routine…wash, dry, ride. I know, it takes some time, what with the 15 minute scooter ride and all, but my hair looked really really good, so I think it might be worth the time investment.

Wash, Dry, Ride, Repeat…………

Very Random Thought of The Day

Scrabble!!!!

I was thinking about Scrabble, the board game. And then I started wondering how the hell German speaking people can play Scrabble. German words are soooooooooooo long.

Check this word out, “Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften.”

Or how ’bout this one, “Freundschaftsbezeigungen.” 

I’m not making this shit up. These are real German words!

The official rules of Scrabble dictate that each player takes 7 letters to start the game. I’m guessing there are hardly even any German words that only have 7 letters in them. WTF? And then, with, let’s say, the average German word being about 20 letters long, you’d need to be playing on one hell of a gigantic over-sized board. I’m just not grasping how it’s possible.

Spending the rest of the day trying to wrap my brain around this.

Where The Hell Have I Been?

Celebrating!! Got our building permit January 15th, 2016!

San Diego, CA              

May 2, 2016

Did ya notice I’ve been MIA since October 10, 2014? No?

Well, October 10, 2014 is the day Mark and I and the doggies returned from our four month Space Shuttle Adventure. And then, after sorting through a freakin’ gigantic box of junk mail, this happened:

We settled back into life in our downtown San Diego condo and plotted our next big adventure!

As it ends up, our next big adventure hasn’t had us traveling at all. Instead, we searched high and low for a vacant piece of land so that we could build a house.

Of course, being us, we had to find a piece of land that was so difficult to figure out and so difficult to build on, that no other sane person would buy it. And, VOILA!!! We found one!

And that’s what we’ve been doing since October of 2014…looking for land, buying land, designing a house, getting building permits, stressing out, going gray, and plotting revenge on the City of San Diego for what surely must be the worst, most aggravating building department on the planet.

De-stressing after a day at the building department.

It took 2.5 months to find our funky piece of land, 6 months to design our project, and 6 months in the building department to finally get our permits.

January 15th @ the building department. Nothing says, “F.U., go home,” like a locked door and a little garbage can lined with plastic!

January 15th @ the building department. So many cubicles…

January 15th @ the building department. More cubicles and some awesome fluorescent overhead lighting.

January 15th @ the building department. Very hip, if you like an impersonal institutional theme to your interiors.

January 15th @ the building department. Details….

January 15th @ the building department. And…the post-it notes come out….

January 15th @ the building department. I stared at this for about 20 minutes while Mark talked to the guy in the cubicle.

We broke ground on March 21st. Let the fun begin!! (If you’ve ever built before, you know that was a totally snarky statement) Welcome to this journey. Enjoy the photos. I’ll post more pics as things progress……I’m back!!!!

March 21st = Day #1 of Construction! Construction toys, big and small, start arriving on site.

March 22nd. Digging down 16′ to the sewer line.

April 1st. Digging up everything.

April 13th. Digging some more. Some of the biggest construction toys can barely maneuver on the narrow lot!

Power to the people! Getting temporary power pole hooked up. April 13th

All Good Road Trips Must Come To An End!

Southwestern-most point, and Eastern-most point of the trip. But, NOT the Northern-most point!

Day 123     October 10, 2014

Palm Springs  to  San Diego, CA

We’d been on the road four months, and were getting excited about getting home. Not that we didn’t love living in the Space Shuttle, but there’s something about knowing that you’ll be home soon, that makes you very happy!

Before we got on the road this morning, we packed up as much of our stuff as possible so that the unloading process at home would go faster. And we dumped and flushed our holding tanks so that they’d be clean and empty when Fiona went back to her storage garage.

And then, before we knew it…..we were home!

• Days on the road:  123
• Miles driven:   17,245
• Ferry boat rides:  7
• Miles travelled by ferry:  unknown
• Number of US States:  33
• Number of Canadian Provinces:  6
• Visits to Veterinarians:  2
• Traffic/parking tickets:  1
• Number of beers drunk:  unknown

Home sweet home! Looking out on the ‘hood.

New Old Bike & Old Beers….The Journey Home

Mark’s new old bike

Day 122      October 9, 2014

Sun City, AZ   to  Palm Springs, CA

We could’ve driven all the way home to San Diego today, but we made the strategic decision not to do so. We decided it’d be better to drive to Palm Springs for the night, and drive to San Diego the next day. That way, we’d avoid driving into San Diego during rush hour, plus, in the morning, at the RV park in Palm Springs, we could dump our holding tanks one last time.

So, not being in a big rush to leave Sun City, we went on a big dog walk/photo excursion around Sis and Rick’s neighborhood.

I like the little cactus

Big cactus are cool too

Cactus and clouds

Things are so neat and tidy in Sis & Rick’s neighborhood

Just as we were ready to hit the road, and were saying goodbye, Mark noticed an old steel bicycle in Sis and Rick’s garage. Next thing you know, that stupid old bike was coming home with us. First I protested, but then, it seemed that the mere idea of owning the bike was bringing such joy to Mark, that I gave in, even though I had no doubt that the bike would become a money pit!

Mark’s new old bike

And away we went…back to having three bikes again.

We crossed into California at Blythe. Being back in California was a monumental thing, and bitter-sweet, as it meant the end of our big adventure. It also meant the end of our supply of apples, as they were promptly confiscated at the agricultural checkpoint station.

Sometime around 4:30 pm, we rolled into Palm Springs, and headed straight to the Happy Traveler RV Park.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs

We were tempted to walk into town to get some dinner, but instead, on our last night on the road,  we opted to just hang out with the doggies and the Space Shuttle. We made dinner, drank beers, and played music….one last time!

The last couple of beers from our stop in Santa Fe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great name for a beer! And a “must” to bring along if you go camping or glamping like us!

Me And My Superpowers Are Put To The Test

The land of the giant cactus!

Day 121    October 8, 2014

Sedona, AZ   to  Sun City, AZ

Before leaving Sedona, we had a little look around town. By all accounts, the place seems to be full of t-shirt/souvenir shops, and some really nice jewelry shops. I wasn’t in the market for either, though I did find a cute t-shirt that tempted me. OK, I admit, I was also tempted by some beautiful jewelry.

Almost bought this t-shirt!

Public art

After having to use all my superpowers to resist a t-shirt or jewelry purchase, I was hungry! So, we relaxed over a delicious lunch at Taos Cantina. Scrumptious fajitas & beers!

Eat here!

Lunch!!

Then we visited the magnificent Chapel of the Holy Cross. I have a natural aversion to places of worship, however, this place was truly beautiful, and I’m so glad I got to see it in person. There’s an interesting history behind it as well. Google it!

On the way to the chapel….

Look up there!! It’s the Chapel of the Holy Cross!

Just a short walk from the parking area to the chapel…

Still walking up the path to the chapel…

Look, down there…it’s Fiona!

Final approach to the chapel on the elevated walkway

Why yes, those rocks are red!

Entrance to the chapel

Great views!

Dramatic and beautiful…

Nice views, of course!

Candles….

Fiona & friends down below. Red rocks above.

Winding and fun walkway

Walking back down….

So cool, no matter where you stand to view it

Beautiful building in a beautiful landscape!

Every angle is better than the last angle!

The last view as we drive away…

Our last stop on our way out of town, was at one of the national forest visitor centers. Now in hindsight, I can’t figure out where exactly we were. But, wherever we were, there was a nice little visitor center with a nice little theater that played a nice little movie about the Coconino National Forest.

Sculpture on patio of the national park visitor center

So cute!

Goodbye, Sedona!

Nature @ 65 mph

Nature @ 65 mph

In the land of giant cactus!

And then….we continued our drive home to San Diego…via Sun City, Arizona, where we docked for the night in the driveway at our Aunt Sis and Uncle Rick’s house.

Sun City, where the landscape is a bit more tame!

Alien Abduction…..Really? Again?

Aliens!!!

Day 120     October 7, 2014

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico  to  Sedona, Arizona

Although the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta would continue through the week, this would be our last morning at the festival. We grabbed a couple of breakfast burritos from one of the vendors, and hung out to watch the balloon skills competition.

Early morning balloons…

Balloons & more balloons

Mark & balloons

Funny balloons

Fiona (the Space Shuttle) & balloons

Airstreams & balloons

Another one bites the dust…

One of many specialty balloons

Crowd control

Lining up to watch the skills competition

By 11:00 we were on the road, once again heading west towards home. We made a quick stop for lunch at Hotel el Rancho, in Gallup, New Mexico, and then, back on the road.

Gallup, NM

Lunch time!

The main drag in Gallup

Cool road side stuff….

 

More cool road side stuff….

Just moments before crossing the Arizona state line, we lost our FM radio reception to pure static. This left us in a bit of a panic, as we tried to ascertain whether or not we’d lost seven minutes of time. Not knowing whether or not we’d experienced time loss, left us also not knowing whether or not we’d been abducted by aliens. Too much X-Files?? Maybe!

Was it an alien abduction, or just a hoax?! We’ll never know.

Arizona!

Arizona…very friendly place…welcoming us twice!

Instagram art. Me, making photo art out of nothing.

If you need knives, I guess this is the place…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We missed the exit for Winslow, Arizona, so you’ll be spared from the usual corny photo and references to the old Eagles song (“….standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona…yada yada…blah blah blah…”).

Before dark, we arrived in Sedona, Arizona, which was a good thing, ‘cause we got to see the beautiful red rocky peaks that surround Sedona. Pretty spectacular! We checked into Rancho Sedona RV Park. Exploration would have to wait until morning!

Almost in Sedona….

First glimpse of red rocks….

Just gettin’ in to Sedona

Very red……

Very cool……

Very beautiful….

Caution: Low Flying Wizards!!

Balloons & Airstreams…the perfect combo!

Day 119       October 6, 2014

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The hot air balloons launched early, sans the pre-flight flyover by those loud freakin’ airplanes. But this morning, there’d be a different kind of excitement. The winds must have not been up to snuff, and many of the balloons had a difficult time gaining much altitude.

@ 5:45 am

There goes the fire hydrant balloon!

and more…..

More balloons & Airstreams!

Balloons & Airstreams! Beautiful!

Fun!!

We watched from the Space Shuttle as one after another low flying balloon passed overhead. It became quite obvious that the big wizard balloon was gonna be a casualty. From where we were, it looked like the wizard might come crashing down on some of the trailers, and a bunch of us went running towards it to see where it would “land.” Luckily, the balloon did make it safely past the trailers, and put down in some scrub just on the other side of the fence….and, just next to another balloon that had also had altitude issues! This day was turning out to be such good fun!!

Uh-oh!! The wizard is looking kind of low!

Dax and Trixie guard the Space Shuttle from the balloon invasion!

We completed the day with a visit to the very cool Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, and with happy hour and hanging out with our fellow Airstreamers.

Afternoon visit to the balloon museum

Airstreamers are nice people, and proud people, which meant we got to tour a couple of our neighbor’s really nice Airstream trailers. It’s funny ‘cause, we kind of have space envy when we see these nice wide and long trailers. But then we also have lots of trailer peeps that want to see our rig, and have envy over the ease and convenience of traveling in the Space Shuttle. Either way, it’s great fun to see what everyone’s got and to swap stories!

And Then….A Dog Parade Broke Out!!!

Evening Glow. The tethered balloons fired up at night.

Day 118           October 5, 2014

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Sleep. Wake up. Watch hot air balloons. Repeat. Day #2 of low flying airplanes at 4:30 am, followed by hot air balloons…..or NOT!!

It’d been determined (by those silly airplanes) that the winds weren’t appropriate for the balloons to take off. Instead, the balloons were inflated, but remained tethered to the ground. Still, it was fun to walk amongst all of the balloons on display.

In the afternoon, we drove into Old Town Albuquerque to have a look around and get a bite to eat. Old Town was uber touristy, but we didn’t care. As long as I can get some decent Mexican food and ice-cream, I’m a happy camper.

Beautiful old church in Old Town

We found some cool, fun, old architecture around Albuquerque

The highlight of the day was really one of my own creations. I’d convinced the powers that be (the organizers of the Airstream rally, and it didn’t take much convincing) that we Airstreamers should have a dog parade while we were at the Balloon Fiesta. And so, on this day, at 4:00 in the afternoon, all of us dog lovers and our fun-loving doggies, gathered in order to parade around amongst the Airstream trailers and motorhomes.

The fantastic, fabulous, fun-filled doggie parade!!!

A grand time was had by all. Some of the doggies were dressed up, and some weren’t. Some pups and their people were dog parade first timers, and I was happy and proud to introduce these people to the world of dog parades. Others of us (mostly Californians) were seasoned dog parade participants.

Dax. Post-dog parade. Dirty and downright dog-tired.

The parade was a big hit, and I’m happy to say that there’s been talk of making it an annual event for the Airstream rally at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta! Thank you very much, me!

Evening Glow

Evening Glow

Evening Glow

Evening Glow

Evening Glow.

Evening Glow

Hot Air Balloons and Airstreams…Oh My!!!!

Morning balloon launch @ Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Day 117         October 4, 2014 

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico

We’d planned to wake up early to watch the 6:30 am Mass Ascension of the hot air balloons. We knew that, prior to the hot air balloons launching in the mornings, small planes were first sent up to test the winds. We just didn’t know that that happened at 4:30 am….right above us! And so, impossible as it was to sleep through the roaring noise, we woke up at 4:30 am.

It was unbelievably cold that early in the morning, but we managed to get out of bed, bundle up, and eventually, walk down to the balloon launching field. We hung out for quite a while and watched as one after another hot air balloon left the ground.

Early morning launch

Balloons and Airstreams

When I’d lost feeling in my fingers and toes, due to the cold weather, we headed back to the Space Shuttle to thaw out. Mark made espresso coffees for us and for our next door neighbors, Nancy and Jess, as we warmed up and watched the balloons flying right overhead. It was a pretty magical sight!

Day #1 of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta was turning out to be quite spectacular!

Evening Glow. Tethered balloons light up….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evening Glow

Evening Glow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evening Glow

And fireworks to end each day!

I “Heart” Shiny Trailers!!!

On the way to the Fiesta grounds. Following behind one of many shiny trailers

Day 116        October 3, 2014

Albuquerque, New Mexico

First thing in the morning, we lined up with all the other Airstreams, to caravan into the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta grounds. That in itself, was super fun! Shiny trailer after shiny trailer, parading down the highway, and finally coming to a halt in our designated area next to the balloon launching field.

Morning line-up to start the caravan to the Fiesta grounds

Following behind one of many shiny trailers

Fiona, in her designated spot for the next 5 days

There wasn’t a whole lot going on in the afternoon, so after getting all settled in our spot, Mark and I took a bike ride to…well…to somewhere. I don’t really know where we were. We just followed the bike path along the aqueduct, and meandered around until we found a proper coffee shop.

We found a nice coffee shop…..

And found some nice stout at the coffee shop!

I love a beer that gives you instructions on what time of day to drink which beverages….

The evening was spent hanging out with the other ‘streamers, and making new friends. The crazy fun wouldn’t begin until the morning!

The Well-Connected Travelers…Nothing Like A Good Foodie Hook-Up!!

or…for Nancy & Mark’s Space Shuttle

Day 115           October 2, 2014

Santa Fe  to  Albuquerque

Our friends, brother/sister combo, Scott and Piper, own Back Road Pizza in Santa Fe, so that was our main destination for the day. We were treated like royalty. We were given the primo parking spot right out front, and then we feasted on some pretty awesome pizzas!

The infamous & delicious Back Road Pizza!!

or…for Nancy & Mark’s Space Shuttle

Before we left the Santa Fe area, we went to see Las Campanas. Las Campanas is a huge golf/spa/housing resort outside of town. Mark had worked on this project many years ago, and had made a couple trips here while the the project was under construction.

The golf club @ Las Campanas

The golf club @ Las Campanas

The golf club @ Las Campanas

@ the spa @ Las Campanas

I love concrete floors!

Gigantic chandelier in dining room foyer

Beautiful view surrounding Las Campanas

After our pizza feast, and architectural pilgrimage, we had only a short drive to get to Albuquerque, where we’d reserved a spot at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta with the Airstream club. The festival didn’t start until the next day, and our meet-up spot for this night, was at the Enchanted Trails RV Park. We were thrilled to arrive in the evening and to find shiny Airstream trailers everywhere throughout the park! This was gonna be a fun time!!

One Perfect Day In Santa Fe

Arsty sculpture

Day 114           October 1, 2014

Santa Fe, New Mexico

To meet our deadline and arrive in Albuquerque on time, we’d been putting on a lot of miles each day. So it was a treat to just stay in one place today.

The entire day was spent in perfect Santa Fe fashion….eating, drinking, and looking at art and architecture. We spent most of our time in the Railyard Arts District, where we discovered the most amazing modern art galleries.

Obviously, we’re in the Railyard Arts District

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Railyard Arts District

Cool art on giant garage door

Arsty sculpture

In the park on a dog walk..

Coffee break

And of course, we discovered a local brewery too!

It was a perfect day!

Route I-40 West: Trinkets, Spicy Jam, & A Stripper

Tucumcari

Day 113      September 30, 2014

Tucumcari  to  Santa Fe

Before leaving Tucumcari, we did another drive-a-bout to take pics of all the cool Route 66 stuff. Some of the stuff was decrepit, in it’s original state, and other stuff was restored and/or repurposed. All of it was fun to see!

Tucumcari

Tucumcari

Tucumcari

Tucumcari

So many cool, fun signs

And then…back on I-40 West.

For miles and miles on I-40, way before we were even close to it, there were a zillion billboards advertising the Flying C Ranch, so, of course, we had to check it out. It was, basically, a big shop full of trinkets and other touristy crap. We found some jars of spicy jams and jellies. They looked pretty interesting, and they’d come in handy for quick easy lunch sandwiches. And then….back on I-40 West.

@ Flying C Ranch…craptastic!!

There wasn’t much to see on I-40 west, so I guess, instead of yelling expletives, I should have actually thanked Mark for providing some form of entertainment when he pulled his sweatshirt up and over his head while driving. Briefly, as he was trying to take off his sweatshirt, it got stuck over his head. Just briefly. Ay yi yi!!

Mark would pay the price for his stripper shenanigans, ‘cause he freaked me out, and that gave me the hiccups. And when I get the hiccups, they are LOUD!! They are in fact, so loud, that Mark accuses me of faking the volume. But, I say, that’s just how they come out of me. So, he had to put up with that for a while.  And then….we finally turned off of I-40 West.

We took Route 14 north, the “Turquoise Trail, into Santa Fe. Upon our arrival downtown, we found a great double parking space, and went to have lunch at the Coyote Cafe. Good food and drinks!

Santa Fe!

Lunch @ Coyote Cafe

Margaritas @ Coyote Cafe

Lunch was followed by a peaceful afternoon nap in the Space Shuttle. And once rejuvenated, out we went for a long walk around town.

Santa Fe. Tourist trap vendors. I think the stuff they sell is all fake.

Downtown Santa Fe

Downtown Santa Fe. Beautiful tile fountain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downtown Santa Fe

Downtown Santa Fe

Downtown Santa Fe. Detail from mural art.

Downtown Santa Fe. Detail from mural art.

We docked for the night at Los Suenos de Santa Fe Rv Park, just outside of downtown. Further exploration would have to wait until morning….