Day Two

After a workout and breakfast, Dan and I were on the road by 8:00. It took us just over an hour to get out of Texas, into New Mexico. Finally! Of course, crossing the state line didn’t mean the landscape changed much. We were still in the Llano Estacado—plains so devoid of landmarks that you have to make your own. When we got to Tatum, we got out to stretch our legs and use a restroom. I got a couple pictures of local buildings.

































We reached Roswell at noon, but drove on through and made a lunch of crackers and goat cheese in the car.

Although the day had been mostly sunny up to this point, as we kept on toward the north, we encountered storm clouds.














And rain.














We reached Santa Fe at 2:00, in a hail storm, with temps dropping from the high sixties down to fifty before the rain stopped and things began to warm up again. We got checked into La Fonda, which is a hotel we’ve stayed at before and love for its history.


















































We checked out the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, something neither of us had ever done, which was an odd lapse in our New Mexico experience.



































Then we browsed the shops and street vendors. We didn’t have much interest in shopping, since everything is overpriced and we’re both experienced enough to know where to get better deals. But the people-watching is often a good time. I love places where people of all walks of life can hang out and simply enjoy life. We saw the usual foreign tourists, street kids hanging out on the plaza, hippies, and natives selling jewelry outside the old governor’s palace. We met a tranny who we thought made a very ugly woman, but since she likely was an even uglier man, it was all for the best. And we were given this pamphlet by a civic-minded individual standing outside a jewelry store:


















In spite of the impending end of the world, I was not tempted to buy overpriced jewelry or art at the local shops, although I found a dress I may end up getting. Then, since there was a musical event going on at the plaza, we went and hung out there for awhile, where we listened to a mariachi band…















…and watched some young flamenco dancers.















I managed to get a picture of this sweet couple and their dogs enjoying the entertainment.


















Finally we went back to the hotel and had dinner. I hadn’t realized until then that I was hungry! Afterwards, we walked the nighttime streets and walked the labyrinth outside of St Francis’s in the rain.

It is still raining off and on. I'm hoping it will be clear in the morning so I can go for a run. I can use the fitness center downstairs if I must, but I kind of have my heart set on a run around the plaza.

Tomorrow we go to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It's only about 150 miles. After covering nearly 1,000 miles in two days, 150 is child's play. I'm looking forward to a good long soak in the hot springs!