Art and culture

 If you know us, you should know we like historical sites and museums. So knowing that, explanation of the title should not be necessary.  We have been to Santa Fe several times prior, however we failed to visit of the many museums. Our bad. In order to correct our sinful ways, we headed out to museum hill. First stop was the Museum of Indian cultures, details HERE

 It is a museum well worth your time and effort, if such things appeal to you.

 Our visit got started with a unity dance. See if you recognize  any of the dancers.You can enlarge the video by clicking in bottom right corner.

 First stop was a sculpture garden.

  The galleries inside had wonderful displays of ancient art as well as modern, many mediums. The following is a feeble attempt at showing you some wonderful displays.

pieces dating from 936.

Not all pottery designs are same. This room show pottery from many different tribes/pueblos/bands of indigenous people.

    We started with a dance, might just as well end with one. Remember click bottom right corner of video to see full screen.

    

    A special celebration down on the square this weekend making traffic exponentially worse (ask how we know!). So change of plans takes us to Taos tomorrow.

carpe diem

 

 

Fort Stanton, Lincoln

   Today was a full day of playing tourist. We had last visited the following site in May of 2007. A lot has changed in those nineteen years and all for the better. First up what was a merchant marine cemetery. In 2007 it was a tad overgrown and looked forgotten. Now it is a state veterans cemetery with a lot of improvements.

The grounds are well kept and nice new facilities. There are many graves here and a lot came from Fort Stanton which you will  learn more about soon.

 Now on to Fort Stanton which has a long history. Read more about it HERE. When we last were in this area there was no visitor center. Happily there is now. Always enjoy learning about history.

 They have many buildings and exhibits covering the many years and usages of the fort.

The fort played a role in the next stop on our historical journey. If you are not familiar with the Lincoln County wars, watch the old John Wayne movie "Chisum" or if seek reality, not Hollywood go HERE.

 At any rate the town has been preserved pretty as it was in those days. A lot to see and learn about a turbulent time in New Mexico history.

 Now we move up the road to Capitan New Mexico. Still on a historical theme. Those of a certain age remember Smokey the Bear. Star of many commercials about fire safety years ago. The original Smokey was found outside Capitan after a fire. Upon his death he came home. More details HERE. The facilities are vastly improved since our last visit, but for the better.

And on that same historical theme, a blast from the past, circa 2007.

on to Santa Fe tomorrow in search of rosebuds...

Cloudcroft

  Scenes from our day trip to Cloudcroft

gather ye rosebuds while ye may

Long day

  After the passage of many years, one tends to forget how desolate west Texas and eastern New Mexico. Only300 miles from Big Spring to Ruidoso, but seemed much further. Quick visit to the Inn of the mountain gods for some Apache tacos, (made with fry bread). Played a bit in the casino and we both came out ahead by $ 50.

easy day today gathering rosebuds

New Mexico

 Finally a trip we did not have to cancel. Monday June 22nd found us departing for New Mexico. As we had decided to take it easy our first stop was Big Spring Texas. Have driven past on the interstate but do not remember ever having gone thru Big Spring.

 An opportunity for something different presented itself, and true to form I took it. We have enjoyed prior stays at old, historic hotels. Some examples are the Strater in Durango Colorado. Info HERE and the Commodore in Linden Tennessee. info HERE. So what does that have  to do with Big Spring Texas? I present you with the Settles hotel, info HERE

  A far cry from your typical chain motel. As nice in person as it appears on the internet

Moral to the story is take the road less traveled.

carpe diem

2025 wrap up

  2025 shall best be described as the year of cancellations. All major trips ended up being cancelled. Health issues won out. We did sneak away to Blanco for three nights. Purpose was to view Christmas lights. Call it successful. Also spent three nights at Meridian over Christmas. I was sick the whole time but we achieved our goals. Call it a success. Refuse to even make reservations for 2026 at this time. The spring is already shot, ability to go to high country in question so summer seems uncertain. We shall improvise, adapt and overcome as required....

All good things must end

  After a nearly 9 hour drive we arrived safely back home. Had fun, relaxed, met some interesting people, visited 2 state parks. I call that success. The goal was to separate ourselves from the tragedy of the flood. We came home to an empty field where debris trucks were staged when we left. Progress. Sadly an excavator was working right beside our community pier. Terrible job that needs doing to try and bring closure for Celi's family. Let us hope they are successful quickly.

 Next up beginning September 26th, a six week excursion thru the Ozarks. Things to see and do.

resting till next time...