Thursday, April 27, 2017

2017 CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIP - FRIDAY, APRIL 17TH, 2017

Hi Everyone, we have reached California and are staying with Gregg's sister for a while.  Thank you so much for all the lovely comments.  I may be later than usual reading and publishing them, even more so than usual.



Monday, April 17th, 2017

Leaving Lubbock, Texas.

Odometer: 50783

Time leaving the hotel: 9:38 a.m.

Heading for Santa Fe , New Mexico.  Should get there in about 5 hrs 8 minutes.

10:46 a.m. We are seeing thousands of cows, more than I ever remember seeing before. 

Saw a sign that in 20 miles there is a town called Muleshoe.  Population 5,158. 



10:52 a.m. went through a town called Sudan. I took a couple of photos. This is one of them.  Population is 958.



11:15 a.m. stopped at Muleshoe's McDonalds. It was a great Egg McMuffin and Egg, Bacon and Cheese Biscuit. Staff are real friendly and it has a five star rating on Trip Advisor.  



Crossed over into New Mexico 11:49 a.m. 

We have traveled 2703 miles.

1:00 pm followed signs to the Gravesite of Billy the Kid.  We were surprised to come across the sign and Gregg decided to turn left off Rt. 84 and check this place out.  We drove 3-1/2 miles and it was on the right.  My Dad, who loved his old black and white westerns, would have liked to have visited this place.  



There was a building nearby and on the outside walls were paintings of various people.  On the left is Raymond Naikai, Chairman of the Navaho Tribe Council. Billy the Kid is depicted in the center and I'm not sure who the person is on the right.  It would have been interesting to find out but the building was closed.  I don't think enough people stop by to warrant it staying open.  Maybe later on as the year progresses, more people will come through.




It was a very dusty little cemetery. 




His grave is surrounded by iron bars and....


Billy the Kid is still under lock and key.


This explains why.


There are actually three graves here.  Billy's is the one on the right.  The other two are his friends.  You can see where people have chipped pieces off the headstone for souvenirs, pre incarceration.  His grave is on the right of this picture.


Gregg is standing near the smaller headstone of Billy the Kid, and to protect it they have clamped it down and surrounded it in a heavy iron grid....


which you can see more clearly here.


People have thrown coins on his grave, as they have thrown coins on others throughout history.  It is thought that to do so is a precursor to leaving flowers.  Also that a penny you own is still a part of you in spirit, and it shows anyone who visits the grave that the departed is still loved by someone.


This man was a victim to Billy's gun.


And so we left this dusty little cemetery, wondering about the people who were buried here. 


On the road again.


1:34 p.m. driving through Ft  Sumner.  

2:00 p.m. In the middle of nowhere, driving along a road in New Mexico, miles from any towns, who would have thought that we could have received a FaceTime call from our niece in Germany.  We were also able to talk with and see our niece,  brother-in-law and extended family visiting her from Ireland, my niece's husband and his parents, and also a couple of other friends we have gotten to know through our visits over the years.  We exchanged several videos and photos.  Ten years ago, if you had told me this was even possible, I would have said not a chance. 



3:08 p.m. we just ate at this really neat little place called The Silver Moon in Santa Rosa It is on the historic Rt. 66 and is also on the historical register.  The first link in this paragraph will take you to their Facebook page.  I couldn't find their regular website for some reason.  


It serves Mexican and American Food. 



A dish I wanted to try while in the southwest, was Huevos rancheros. 


The lady asked me if I wanted Red, Green or Christmas. I didn't understand at first but what she was asking was what kind of chili sauce, red, green or red and green mixed.


It was hot physically as well as spicy.  It was good!  Gregg was laughing because I had a tear coming out of one eye.  I reached for my tissues many times. 


Yes it was hotter than I am used to but it was oh so good. I haven't had this dish in 35 years, and probably won't again for quite a while. 


Here's Gregg taking photos of his tacos.


 I hope we get back one day.


Filled up the car with its meal too, just down the road from the restaurant. Back on the road for Santa Fe and seeing interesting scenery along the way.



3:15 p.m. we are going over the Pecos River




At 5.16 p.m. we arrived at our hotel for a few days, the Hotel Santa Fe The Hacienda and Spa.  It was very southwestern in motif, and as it turned out, the only hotel in Santa Fe that is owned by Native Americans.



It is located in Historic Downtown Santa Fe and in the heart of the Santa Fe Railyard District, with museums, galleries, shops and restaurants all around.


It has its own shuttle service and we were told we could ask to be taken downtown, or to any of the places in the area that we wanted to see.  It looks like an old London cab, and in the front had a really neat license plate.


There is also a much larger vehicle for multiple guests, painted the same color.  We saw a couple of dozen people being transported one day.  I think they were part of an overseas convention.  It was a very popular hotel and true to our way of doing things, we did not book too far ahead.  When we knew we were going to be in Santa Fe that night, Gregg got on his phone a few hours before at one of our stops,  and booked our room.  Gregg chose this one because of its southwestern decor.  Fortunately there were still two rooms left.


There are some wonderful sculptures on the grounds.  I particularly loved the one below, which was on the wall near the entrance.  


Taken when we first arrived and later after our walk.


There was also this lovely painting in the foyer. There were more paintings I enjoyed all over the hotel.


We had half an hour in our hotel room and then walked into town.  It was longer than we anticipated, but still a lovely walk. The shop windows caught my eye, all kinds of artwork and clothing, jewelry. 






 I'm going to have to do one more post of our walk around Santa Fe another time.  Sculptures were everywhere.




They slowed my pace some but Gregg was also enjoying the sights and taking photos. We never seem to lose track of each other.  


More colorful paintings on the wall at Starbucks.  By this time we were ready for a sit-down, and we didn't feel that hungry.


The young man behind the counter told Gregg he was from Portland, Maine.  We took our time over our drinks, Gregg his iced lemonade black tea and me with my latte.  


It was very quiet downtown, hardly anyone around, but later we passed several several people and their friends heading to local restaurants, or just enjoying the walk like we were.  


We walked to a very pretty church at the end of the road. 


There are more bronze sculptures on the church grounds. 


While standing in the courtyard the bells told the time.  It sounded very pretty to listen to.  


We walked through the garden at the back of the church, and made our way to our hotel. 


We came across another courtyard full of incredible sculptures, and my camera came out again. It was a slower walk back, and not just because we were getting more tired.  


I loved this sign.


We went to bed early without bothering about dinner, we were so tired. It had been quite a day. 





44 comments:

  1. Wow, so many sights! The Billy the Kid tombstone story is interesting, glad it was returned. Your Mexican food look delicious. beautiful church, neat sculptures and a pretty hotel. Thanks for sharing your day! Have a safe and happy trip!

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  2. Denise, I absolutely enjoyed this tour! The restaurant, the store front(s), the views, the food! Everything! And I can't believe someone would steal a tombstone! Here in Montreal, at St. Joseph's Oratory, which is situated on Mount Royal, somebody actually stole Brother Andre's heart! Yes, his heart, which is encased in the oratory. Thankfully they got it back, though. This happened a very long time ago. Thank you so much for sharing your photos, thanks to you I get to see different parts of the world I would never otherwise see...and you have a lovely smile!

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    1. Thank you Linda and goodness, it makes you wonder why people do these things doesn't it?

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  3. What a trip you are having.Your photographs and the itinerary you describe are just wonderful.

    Isn't FaceTime a great invention.

    Take Care, stay safe.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Linda and all the best to you also.

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  4. Oh, I just love your photos of the sights, food, and cute little you and Gregg.

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  5. Hey! I am new at your blog (: I am following you now(;
    I hope you can visit mine and follow me back (; Have a good day!

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    1. Hello there Perdida, thank you for visiting me. I will follow you back as soon as I can. Have a good day to you too :)

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  6. Wow! For me, this is your most interesting cross country trip post yet!! The Billy The Kid Grave story is so sad! People don't even have respect for the dead anymore. So as he was in life, he will remain caged up through eternity. What an awesome motel!! I love all the beautiful sculptures. And the purple car and license plate. Phil's favorite breakfast dish is Huevos Rancheros. But they are not as spicy here as they were there. Here, they are cooled down for us. LOVE this last metal sculpture. Who knew that MacDonald's was even on Trip Advisor?? Aren't they all basically the same?

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    1. Hi Ginny, I would like to try Phil's favorite breakfast at home, though I would probably have it not as spicy :) I was surprised to see this particular McDonalds on Trip Advisor but they were worthy. I have found it fascinating the people I have learned about on this trip. Enjoy your Sunday :)

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  7. Wow! Lots to take in that day! Great pictures and commentary.

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  8. the horse and dog and the indian boy painting are my favorite, but I like all. Texas is as flat As we are here in Florida.. the metal sculptures are beautiful to. no hot food for me, ever but yours looks good

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  9. your journey is lovely. Great photos. Love from Europe

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    1. Thank you Gosia :) Love back to you from Northern Virginia

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  10. Probably my favorite post ever! But you do some amazing ones...I want to go to Santa Fe! Hope you both had a good time and thank you for sharing with us!

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    1. Hi Sandy, how kind of you to say so I hope you get to Santa Fe one day. I can highly recommend it.

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  11. Thank you so much for taking us along. And for the stunning photos.

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  12. Those Huevos Rancheros look amazing. Yikes, all that fun stuff you posted and I zoom right into the food.

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    1. Ah well Ellen, I usually do that myself, hehehe :)

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  13. The church is beautiful! It's understandable under the circumstances that Billy's grave is fenced off like that.

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  14. I would have definitely considered this a great day...the fact that out in the middle of no where you could have facetime and talk to people that far away is almost beyond belief! I often then we have sure seen a lot of change...and it also crosses my mind at how much stuff Lorelei never experienced. She has always known cell phones and computers...

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    1. It certainly was surreal being able to talk to my family. You make a very good point. Thanks Rosen:)

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  15. Wow we lived in Clovis, NM for a number of years, all of the places you mentioned here are definitely familiar to me and most of the places we have visited, thanks for the ride I really enjoyed it.

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    1. Small world Jimmy, and you are so very welcome :)

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  16. Lots to see in this post, Denise. Makes me wish I was there! How crazy that folk steal Billy the Kid's gravestones! Strange world!

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    1. Yes Valerie, it's a very strange world when people go stealing gravestones.

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  17. Hi Denise and another interesting post, not surprised you finished with saying you went to bed early without dinner, for most of us you had packed in a weeks worth of effort. You certainly visited some interesting places and to see the grave of Billy The Kid, wondered if Gregg was thinking of a duel whilst standing by the grave, not sure as to he had his phone or gun in his hand. Take care, all the best . John

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    1. Thank you John, it certainly was a busy day. I will have to ask Gregg your question :) All the best, Denise

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  18. Yep, in New Mexico you always get asked Red or Green. Christmas is a new one to me.

    When I was a kid, Santa Fe was a regular town and you could shop at Penney's, Sears, and Woolworths on the square. Lots different now. Great place to visit.

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    1. Hi Yogi, must be a new tradition, and so interesting to hear how it used to be. Thank you :)

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  19. Wow, Denise, this was quite some day! The hotel sounds like it will be a nuce place to settle in for a few days. The huevos rancheros sounded wonderfuk but I would have tp skip the hot sauce.

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    1. Thank you Beatrice, we would like to go back one day.

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  20. For a minute there, I thought that was the Loretto chapel in Santa Fe. I'm just loving all your photos, Denise.

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    1. Thank you Kay, so glad. I looked the Loretta Chapel up. It is gorgeous!

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