Saturday, June 04, 2005
Friday, June 03, 2005
Enchanted Circle
Dan shook me awake at 8 am. What happened to the alarm clock? I had meant to be up at 7! Well, no time to worry about that now. I jumped out of bed, threw on the running clothes I had laid out the night before and took off. I wasn't entirely sure where I would run, so I wore my GPS. I found a tiny bit of trail near the apartments on the other side of the parking lot, but within less than half a mile I realized I was going to have to cross the main drag and look for the trail Dan said he thought was over there. Hey, if I didn't find anything I could at least run through the residential neighborhood. So I crossed the busy 6 lane road and found the trail almost immediately. Hooray!
It was a lovely trail, asphalted and running along the railroad at first before curving around at Santa Fe High School and continuing along an arroyo. There was a profusion of desert plants everywhere I looked-- pinon, yucca, various grasses and thistles, and flowers in every color I could think of-- purple, blue, white, yellow and red. With the mountains off in the distance and blue sky overhead, it was like running in heaven.
I could've gone on forever, but I had promised Dan I was only doing 3 miles, so I didn't want to worry him by being out longer. After I came back to the trail head, I crossed the street again, bought some decent Kleenex at a Walgreen's on the corner (why do hotels always give you those thin, sandpaper Kleenex?), bought some coffee at the coffee shop across from our hotel, then went back to our room. After a hot shower, I had a breakfast of yogurt and granola and then we headed out for the mountains.
We went up to Espanola first, stopping in at the Black Mesa golf course to visit a friend of Dan's. Then we continued up a long winding mountain road, through over-busy, over-hyped Taos and made a little circuit of tiny mountain towns and valleys. They call the route the Enchanted Circle, although I'm not entirely sure why. I suppose it's a reference to the beauty of the area. It took all afternoon, but it was just one stunning view after another. On our way down, we stopped at a little restaurant by a river outside of Espanola and had some tea and salads by the water. Then we continued into Espanola and stopped at an internet cafe owned by another of Dan's friends, who unfortunately wasn't in at the time. It was a cute, funky place with a warren of rooms that seemed never to end, full of old sofas and chairs for lounging, books to read, snakes in terrariums and the obligatory funky art photos on the walls. We settled on the porch to sip our coffee, but being the restless sort, especially after spending all day sitting in the car, I went and checked out the trift store next door. You just can't stop me from visiting the thrifts!
Back in Santa Fe, we went for a walk on the trail I'd run that morning, then went for Indian food again. This restaurant had totally incredible saag paneer, but the waitstaff was a bit English-impaired, because they made several mistakes with our order. But it was all good food, so who cares? By then it was after 9 and I was surprisingly tired, for having done so little. So we went back to the hotel and tried to get online, but the wireless network was down. I set out some running clothes for the morning and did some preliminary packing while hoping the wireless would come back up, but no luck. So finally I decided to call it a day. A very nice day, at that.
It was a lovely trail, asphalted and running along the railroad at first before curving around at Santa Fe High School and continuing along an arroyo. There was a profusion of desert plants everywhere I looked-- pinon, yucca, various grasses and thistles, and flowers in every color I could think of-- purple, blue, white, yellow and red. With the mountains off in the distance and blue sky overhead, it was like running in heaven.
I could've gone on forever, but I had promised Dan I was only doing 3 miles, so I didn't want to worry him by being out longer. After I came back to the trail head, I crossed the street again, bought some decent Kleenex at a Walgreen's on the corner (why do hotels always give you those thin, sandpaper Kleenex?), bought some coffee at the coffee shop across from our hotel, then went back to our room. After a hot shower, I had a breakfast of yogurt and granola and then we headed out for the mountains.
We went up to Espanola first, stopping in at the Black Mesa golf course to visit a friend of Dan's. Then we continued up a long winding mountain road, through over-busy, over-hyped Taos and made a little circuit of tiny mountain towns and valleys. They call the route the Enchanted Circle, although I'm not entirely sure why. I suppose it's a reference to the beauty of the area. It took all afternoon, but it was just one stunning view after another. On our way down, we stopped at a little restaurant by a river outside of Espanola and had some tea and salads by the water. Then we continued into Espanola and stopped at an internet cafe owned by another of Dan's friends, who unfortunately wasn't in at the time. It was a cute, funky place with a warren of rooms that seemed never to end, full of old sofas and chairs for lounging, books to read, snakes in terrariums and the obligatory funky art photos on the walls. We settled on the porch to sip our coffee, but being the restless sort, especially after spending all day sitting in the car, I went and checked out the trift store next door. You just can't stop me from visiting the thrifts!
Back in Santa Fe, we went for a walk on the trail I'd run that morning, then went for Indian food again. This restaurant had totally incredible saag paneer, but the waitstaff was a bit English-impaired, because they made several mistakes with our order. But it was all good food, so who cares? By then it was after 9 and I was surprisingly tired, for having done so little. So we went back to the hotel and tried to get online, but the wireless network was down. I set out some running clothes for the morning and did some preliminary packing while hoping the wireless would come back up, but no luck. So finally I decided to call it a day. A very nice day, at that.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
North to Santa Fe
I woke up early and went for a little run around the area. I started along the creek, past the apple trees,
until the creek road joined the main paved road about half a mile down. From there I went to the cemetery road, which was another half mile up a gradual incline that left me breathless. The farm is at 4,600 feet and I live at sea level, so even the slightest gradient was a challenge. But I finally found myself at the cemetery gates. They were locked, so I had to content myself with waving in the general direction of my grandparents' graves. Then I went back down the hill to the road, checked my GPS and started plotting how to make this a three mile run. A little later I was trotting along the road when I found my Uncle Bill and his wife June out for a morning walk. I said good morning and we talked for a moment. I told them to come around for breakfast and they said they would. Then I finished my run, took a shower and joined Dan and my father for coffee.
Bill and June showed up a little later and we all had a pleasant visit. After they left, we had a simple breakfast of cereal and yogurt. I was keen to stay based at the farm for a few days before going on to Santa Fe, but Dan was eager to get back to his old stomping grounds, so I reluctantly started packing. I was just starting to drag my suitcases out to the car when another uncle, Lorenzo, showed up. So we all sat back down at the table and more chit-chat ensued. Finally Dan and I figured we had better get on the road because it was almost noon. So we left Dad and Lorenzo changing the filter for the well and we took off.
We took the old Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe, instead of the intertstate. This was a beautiful, scenic route that allowed us to stop in the former ghost town of Madrid to see the coal mining museum and have some coffee at a little cafe. Then we were on to Santa Fe. We got checked into our hotel and headed in to town where we walked around for awhile and watched the artsy tourists buying overpriced wares in the galleries. We had a very nice dinner at an Indian restaurant a block from the plaza, then went for a drive up the mountain to Hyde Park. As we got near the ski area we found areas of patchy snow still on the ground and it was cold when we would get out and walk around. We were hoping to see the sunset, but with rain moving in, I finally had to tell Dan it was hopeless. He teased me that I was being "an Aspen in the mud," but finally agreed when he saw the rain sweeping across the mountain range.
We got caught in a few showers back down in Santa Fe, but by the time we got to Whole Foods to pick up some things for breakfast in the morning, the rain had passed. We did our shopping, headed back to the hotel and settled in.
It's really amazing how green everything is this spring and how high all the creeks and rivers are. Neither of us has ever seen anything like it. I'd love for it to be the start of a permanent climate change for the region, but I suppose it's not likely.
I have a few pictures I had hoped to post, but it's turning out to be more involved than I had thought it would be because I'm on a strange computer. Since it's late, you'll have to take my word for it that I've got pictures. I'll try to get online a little earlier tomorrow night so I can get the photo stuff set up to work with blogspot.
Time to hit the hay. I've got an early run planned, then travels to Espanola and Taos.
until the creek road joined the main paved road about half a mile down. From there I went to the cemetery road, which was another half mile up a gradual incline that left me breathless. The farm is at 4,600 feet and I live at sea level, so even the slightest gradient was a challenge. But I finally found myself at the cemetery gates. They were locked, so I had to content myself with waving in the general direction of my grandparents' graves. Then I went back down the hill to the road, checked my GPS and started plotting how to make this a three mile run. A little later I was trotting along the road when I found my Uncle Bill and his wife June out for a morning walk. I said good morning and we talked for a moment. I told them to come around for breakfast and they said they would. Then I finished my run, took a shower and joined Dan and my father for coffee.
Bill and June showed up a little later and we all had a pleasant visit. After they left, we had a simple breakfast of cereal and yogurt. I was keen to stay based at the farm for a few days before going on to Santa Fe, but Dan was eager to get back to his old stomping grounds, so I reluctantly started packing. I was just starting to drag my suitcases out to the car when another uncle, Lorenzo, showed up. So we all sat back down at the table and more chit-chat ensued. Finally Dan and I figured we had better get on the road because it was almost noon. So we left Dad and Lorenzo changing the filter for the well and we took off.
We took the old Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe, instead of the intertstate. This was a beautiful, scenic route that allowed us to stop in the former ghost town of Madrid to see the coal mining museum and have some coffee at a little cafe. Then we were on to Santa Fe. We got checked into our hotel and headed in to town where we walked around for awhile and watched the artsy tourists buying overpriced wares in the galleries. We had a very nice dinner at an Indian restaurant a block from the plaza, then went for a drive up the mountain to Hyde Park. As we got near the ski area we found areas of patchy snow still on the ground and it was cold when we would get out and walk around. We were hoping to see the sunset, but with rain moving in, I finally had to tell Dan it was hopeless. He teased me that I was being "an Aspen in the mud," but finally agreed when he saw the rain sweeping across the mountain range.
We got caught in a few showers back down in Santa Fe, but by the time we got to Whole Foods to pick up some things for breakfast in the morning, the rain had passed. We did our shopping, headed back to the hotel and settled in.
It's really amazing how green everything is this spring and how high all the creeks and rivers are. Neither of us has ever seen anything like it. I'd love for it to be the start of a permanent climate change for the region, but I suppose it's not likely.
I have a few pictures I had hoped to post, but it's turning out to be more involved than I had thought it would be because I'm on a strange computer. Since it's late, you'll have to take my word for it that I've got pictures. I'll try to get online a little earlier tomorrow night so I can get the photo stuff set up to work with blogspot.
Time to hit the hay. I've got an early run planned, then travels to Espanola and Taos.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
To New Mexico
With our flight not scheduled to leave until 2:00, we had plenty of time for last-minute packing and errands, so that was how I spent my morning. The pets knew something was up and the cat hid under the bed refusing to come out. Sorry, Pix, your job is to keep Tidbit company, so out into the living room you go!
On the way to the airport I called in to the office, and a good thing because my business manager was trying to reach me. I spent most of the drive to the airport trading numbers back and forth with her, then had to do a repeat half an hour later while we were waiting to board, but we finally got some things straightened out and I was able to turn off the phone and get on the plane.
Dan and I found ourselves with a seatmate who was on his way to San Diego to do his first-ever marathon. So of course I thought of my friend Wil who is also doing her first marathon this week. The "Small World" song was running through my head! Dan and I talked marathons a bit with our new friend, then settled in for the two hour flight. I had brought some food with us, so we had a light lunch of veggie/goat cheese wraps and bread pudding. Hey, gotta clean out the fridge before leaving, right? Other than some turbulence over the Sandias, it was a pretty uneventful flight.
It was nice to be in New Mexico again. They've had an unusually wet winter and spring so things were unbelievably green. Were it not for the ever-present mountains I would've thought myself back in the green eastern half of Texas!
We got to the farm in good time and visited with my father a bit and toured the gardens before heading out for dinner and a grocery run. Then we went for a pleasant walk along the creek and back via a small farm road. Our route took us past the beekeeper neighbor's property, where the smell of honey hung thick in the air. We passed the guy with the peacocks, and those birds were out there caterwauling like they were being tortured. We saw a lot of interesting plants along the creek that I couldn't identify in the dark, so I plan to investigate tomorrow and see if they're any good for anything. We came back past the vineyards and the road to the cemetery where my grandparents and my uncle are buried. It would've been nice to go down that road, but it was getting dark so we headed home for an evening chat over yogi tea.
In the morning I plan to head out for a run over the path we took tonight. Maybe I'll take the camera and take pictures. I won't be able to post for at least another day though, because the laptop Dan brought is only configured for wireless, which of course we don't have here. I have no idea what he was thinking.
And thus concludes my first day of vacation. I'm sleepy now.
On the way to the airport I called in to the office, and a good thing because my business manager was trying to reach me. I spent most of the drive to the airport trading numbers back and forth with her, then had to do a repeat half an hour later while we were waiting to board, but we finally got some things straightened out and I was able to turn off the phone and get on the plane.
Dan and I found ourselves with a seatmate who was on his way to San Diego to do his first-ever marathon. So of course I thought of my friend Wil who is also doing her first marathon this week. The "Small World" song was running through my head! Dan and I talked marathons a bit with our new friend, then settled in for the two hour flight. I had brought some food with us, so we had a light lunch of veggie/goat cheese wraps and bread pudding. Hey, gotta clean out the fridge before leaving, right? Other than some turbulence over the Sandias, it was a pretty uneventful flight.
It was nice to be in New Mexico again. They've had an unusually wet winter and spring so things were unbelievably green. Were it not for the ever-present mountains I would've thought myself back in the green eastern half of Texas!
We got to the farm in good time and visited with my father a bit and toured the gardens before heading out for dinner and a grocery run. Then we went for a pleasant walk along the creek and back via a small farm road. Our route took us past the beekeeper neighbor's property, where the smell of honey hung thick in the air. We passed the guy with the peacocks, and those birds were out there caterwauling like they were being tortured. We saw a lot of interesting plants along the creek that I couldn't identify in the dark, so I plan to investigate tomorrow and see if they're any good for anything. We came back past the vineyards and the road to the cemetery where my grandparents and my uncle are buried. It would've been nice to go down that road, but it was getting dark so we headed home for an evening chat over yogi tea.
In the morning I plan to head out for a run over the path we took tonight. Maybe I'll take the camera and take pictures. I won't be able to post for at least another day though, because the laptop Dan brought is only configured for wireless, which of course we don't have here. I have no idea what he was thinking.
And thus concludes my first day of vacation. I'm sleepy now.
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Home Again
Dan and I got up at 6:30 and headed over to the rail trail. Dan decided it was too cold to walk, so he waited in the car while I went for a short run. I saw two cardinals, some mallards and a rabbit at Lock 12. We had coffee and bagels at Greeenwich Coffee on the way home, then went back to the house. I showered, dressed, finished my packing and tidied the room. I visited with Charles for as long as I could, then left the blue bottle from Thomaston and a card of the Quincy Library for John and Susan. Then we headed out.
We stopped at Meriden and visited with Grandma. I told her I'd bring a cake next year for her 99th birthday. She seemed a little unclear that I was her granddaughter and as always I felt bad leaving her, since every time could be the last.
We got to Providence by 2:00 and turned in our car. Then they x-rayed our bags and thoroughly investigated my jars of blueberry jelly from Maine. Good to know our airport security is keeping us safe. I hadn't even known blueberry jelly was dangerous!
The flight to Philadelphia was on time and uneventful. We got stuck an hour in Philly while they tried to figure out which plane to put us on. But finally we got a plane and headed for home. I took the window seat and got to watch thunderstorms below us while a clear sky and moon shone brightly above us.
It's always a bit of a culture shock to come home to Houston after being in a part of the country that tries to show some respect for beauty and history. This glass and concrete city has no soul and even while I enjoy the comforts of my own home and routines, I always pine for what I've lost by choosing to continue living here-- that sense of connection with the past and with nature that I get in other parts of the country.
We stopped at Meriden and visited with Grandma. I told her I'd bring a cake next year for her 99th birthday. She seemed a little unclear that I was her granddaughter and as always I felt bad leaving her, since every time could be the last.
We got to Providence by 2:00 and turned in our car. Then they x-rayed our bags and thoroughly investigated my jars of blueberry jelly from Maine. Good to know our airport security is keeping us safe. I hadn't even known blueberry jelly was dangerous!
The flight to Philadelphia was on time and uneventful. We got stuck an hour in Philly while they tried to figure out which plane to put us on. But finally we got a plane and headed for home. I took the window seat and got to watch thunderstorms below us while a clear sky and moon shone brightly above us.
It's always a bit of a culture shock to come home to Houston after being in a part of the country that tries to show some respect for beauty and history. This glass and concrete city has no soul and even while I enjoy the comforts of my own home and routines, I always pine for what I've lost by choosing to continue living here-- that sense of connection with the past and with nature that I get in other parts of the country.
Friday, June 11, 2004
John Adams Homestead
My plan was to go for an early run, but I slept in a bit instead. I finally got up at 7:30, skipped the run and Dan and I left the house at 9. We ran a couple errands and went by the home to see Grandma. She wasn't in her room, so we figured she was getting her hair done or something. We couldn't wait so we headed toward Quincy at 10.
We were able to visit the cemetary in town and catch the 1:15 tour and saw John Adams' birthplace, first home with Abigail, and his later house in town. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and I enjoyed what they had to say, even though I don't really care for group tours in general. I don't like having so many people around because it makes it hard to soak up the ambiance of a place, not to mention that you only have a few seconds to look at any one thing because there's always someone else breathing down your neck wanting to look at it, too.
After the tour we bought some gifts and headed for home. We had considered touring the church and seeing Adams' grave, but there was a Reagan memorial service going on and it was too crowded. So we headed back to Connecticut. We stopped in Middletown for Indian food on the way, and it was okay but not as good as the place in New London and certainly not as good as the now-closed Bombay Spice in Mystic.
After dinner we hurried to Hammonasset Beach to catch the sunset. We arrived in time and the sunset was lovely, but there were so many gnats that we didn't stay long. So we went home and visited with John a bit. Then we made a quick trip to the store for food to eat on the plane the next day, and then Dan turned in while I waited up for my cousin Charles to arrive. He was supposed to be coming in late from Chicago, but John and I waited and waited and finally went to bed.
We were able to visit the cemetary in town and catch the 1:15 tour and saw John Adams' birthplace, first home with Abigail, and his later house in town. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and I enjoyed what they had to say, even though I don't really care for group tours in general. I don't like having so many people around because it makes it hard to soak up the ambiance of a place, not to mention that you only have a few seconds to look at any one thing because there's always someone else breathing down your neck wanting to look at it, too.
After the tour we bought some gifts and headed for home. We had considered touring the church and seeing Adams' grave, but there was a Reagan memorial service going on and it was too crowded. So we headed back to Connecticut. We stopped in Middletown for Indian food on the way, and it was okay but not as good as the place in New London and certainly not as good as the now-closed Bombay Spice in Mystic.
After dinner we hurried to Hammonasset Beach to catch the sunset. We arrived in time and the sunset was lovely, but there were so many gnats that we didn't stay long. So we went home and visited with John a bit. Then we made a quick trip to the store for food to eat on the plane the next day, and then Dan turned in while I waited up for my cousin Charles to arrive. He was supposed to be coming in late from Chicago, but John and I waited and waited and finally went to bed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)