New Mexico

Here's the day by day of my trip out west. Basically, it's an excuse to post more pictures and remember all of the fabulous food (much of which was prepared by Tom.) As I said before, the trip was incredible! Molly and Tom will only be living there for 3 years, so I thought I better get off my arse and go visit while I could.

Just a random house I thought was fab...

So, Molly picked me up from the airport in Albuquerque (I think I spelled that correctly) on Saturday night and we drove two hours to their house in Los Alamos. Molly had mentioned to me previously that New Mexico leads the nation in DUI deaths, and that everywhere you look there are roadside memorials to people who have been killed. She wasn't kidding. Between Albuquerque and Los Alamos there is a cross with some sort of flower arrangement on the side of the road at least every mile. Some are incredibly decorated and obviously well maintained to reflect the season. Yes, it's sad, but it loses some of the meaning when you see them everywhere.

Didn't get to Molly and Tom's till rather late (to me) but they made me guac and quesadillas, and of course I had my first of Tom's famous margaritas. (He's a self proclaimed tequila snob, and I must admit, he makes a damn good margarita...)

Sunday morning we started by walking around Los Alamos, and I immediately noticed the breathing issues associated with being at 7300 feet. I got to see where Molly works, the infamous duck pond (the people of Los Alamos adore these ducks...) then Tom took us to see Los Alamos National Lab where he works. I know the very basics about what his job is...however, if I told you, I'd have to kill you. Tom was also able to take Molly and I on what I now refer to as "the double secret road" - - again, due to my super secret government clearance I can't tell you what we saw... Not only did we have to show ID to drive on this road, but all cameras, cell phones, etc... had to be put in the trunk of the car. (cue singing "Secret Agent Man")

View from Molly's office window...

Building where Molly works...

We spent the rest of Sunday driving through the Jemez Mountains. (At least I think that's where we were.)

One of my favorite spots was Valle Caldera, which is a 12 mile wide valley situated inside a collapsed volcanic crater. Beautiful spot to photograph!

From there we went to Jemez Falls, and hiked to the water fall. I was determined to see a mountain lion or rattle snake, but failed to find either. (In hindsight, I did amend my request to actually seeing one of these from the safety of the car.)

Our last stop of the day was at White Rock, which has a great view of the Rio Grande River.

Then on to dinner at a great place where they made guacamole AT OUR TABLE and I had my first taste of green chili. After dinner we checked out Buffalo Thunder casino and I managed to only lose $20.

On Monday, Molly and I drove to Albuquerque via the Turquoise Trail (a "scenic byway.") We started off a tad underwhelmed, especially when we drove through the very very shady town of Cerrillos. They boasted a "petting zoo" which (from what we could see) consisted of 6 chickens.


We stopped in the much nicer town of Madrid (pronounced "MAD-rid") and checked out some of the tiny stores and got to see the cafe where part of the movie "Wild Hogs" was filmed (Please note that I was standing exactly where John Travolta once stood!!!)





Then on to Albuquerque where we perused the many shops and galleries in Old Town, and I took a ton of pictures of a really cool old church. For lunch I had an enchilada smothered with green chili, which was soooo good. However, after about 10 minutes, I lost all feeling in my lips.


Then back to Los Alamos for a fabulous dinner of Butternut Squash Risotto and Green Chili Stew (along with Pina Coladas) which Tom had been slaving over. Did I mention yet how lucky Molly is to have such a talented husband?

We got up early on Tuesday and made the 70 mile journey to Taos, New Mexico. Taos is best known as a ski town, and also as the home to the hippy elite. Very cool town with lots of art galleries and shops. It's also known for the supposed "hum" - an ongoing low frequency noise, audible only to some. I didn't hear the hum :(

We first stopped at the Taos Pueblo which is a Native American community which has been inhabited for over 1000 years. Approximately 150 people live in the multi-storied adobe buildings and have no electricity or running water.

You're not allowed to photograph the people of the Pueblo, but I got lots of good shots of the church (built in 1850) and the creepy old cemetery.

This is where they live!!

From there we stopped at the Rio Grande Gorge to walk across the bridge and remind ourselves that walking over an 800 foot drop can make you pee your pants no matter how old you are. We then drove the "enchanted circle" which takes you through Carson National Forest and through the charming ski towns of Angel Fire and Red River.

The "Bus Stop Ice Cream and Coffee Shop" - - parked in the middle of nowhere!

Once back in Taos, Tom obliged my one request and found the San Francisco de Asis church which was built in 1815. It's most famous for a photograph taken by Ansel Adams, so I wanted to see it for myself.

This is the back of the church (no windows!!)

This is the front of the church

After dinner in Taos (blue corn enchiladas) we went back to Tom and Molly's where Tom made dessert - molten chocolate cakes and Pina Coladas. Life is good.....

We got a later start on Wednesday (purposely) which gave Molly and I time to catch up on a little morning TV. Then we headed off to Santa Fe Plaza for shopping, and dinner. Again, back to Tom and Molly's later that evening for homemade devil's food chocolate cupcakes and mudslides. (Have I mentioned how it's a miracle that Molly stays so skinny?)

And now it's time, to say goodbye, to all our company....


M - I - C - See ya real soon....
K - E - Y - Why, because we like you...
M - O - U - S - E


Molly took me back to the airport the next morning and my lovely vacation was over.


Thanks so so much to Molly and Tom for the fabulous time, to Liz for taking me to and from the airport in Ohio, and to my iPod, who makes sitting in airports for hours on end almost bearable.