Sheltering Sky
I was retired for only a couple of weeks, when I saw an interesting statement on a lady’s hand bag while riding the CTA in Chicago. After memorizing as much of the saying as possible, a search of the Internet informed me it was an excerpt from a novel written by Paul Bowles, “The Sheltering Sky.”
Representing the California Condors, here is #83!
A Face Only a Mother could Love
Sing it HIGH
Sing it LOW
On the Navajo Bridge, near Lees Ferry in Arizona a couple of California Condors were seen resting on the bridge structure. This one was number 83. Each wing, top and bottom have a large number 83 banner attached. On the bird’s right wing, you can see the antenna of a radio transmitter. While the head is fairly ugly, it is certainly colorful. Representing the fighting California Condors, here is #83!
Welcome to Pie Town
The Original Owners have returned to Pie Town, New Mexico, USA!! They have expanded their hours and menu, great for the weary traveler in this western part of New Mexico. I just think it is such a quaint town and restaurant, in the middle of nowhere, I want everybody to know about it. If your one of the lucky few, you will get to experience the green chile apple pie as well.
IT’S PIE
Annular Eclipse-1
Annular Eclipse
In the Southwest, the recent annular eclipse was a big topic and occasion for parties and getting outside to look at the sunset. These photos were taken at the Spencer Theater near Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Pie Town, New Mexico mainly consists of two great cafes serving fresh, hot home-made pies and a museum. While they are at opposite ends of the town and on opposite sides of the street, they do not seem to compete much with each other as one was open on the weekends and the other on weekdays.
Pie Town Cafe
At the Pie Town Cafe we had their famous New Mexican Apple Pie which has spicy hot New Mexico green chilies and pinion nuts a-la-mode. Not a combination I would have thought of but it was great and I would have it again, unless they have something even more unusual at the time….
www.pietowncafe.com (575)772-2553
Tucumcari Cattle Drive
One of the more exciting things I have done in retirement is to go on a cattle drive. This was no dude ranch thing, rather I was the tag-along on a working ranch with 12 or so cowboys who do this for a living every day. After unloading the horses from the trailer well before sun up, the cowboys immediately began making their horses move sideways to the left, then right, then backwards. Then they would turn around and around in tight circles, like athletes warming up before a big game.
One of the highlights of the trip down RT66 was to see some of the restored gas stations in Shamrock, Texas. We were fortunate to have a storm roll in and give me some good evening clouds. The trip to the Magnolia gas station was inspired by a photo photographer Ben Wilmore created. Here is what I was able to capture of these fine restored gas stations. Turns out you normally need reservations in this small town due to the oil and gas boom, but since it was a holiday weekend we were able to get a place for the night.
Continue reading for some addition details of these photos.
Continue reading
One of the first big attraction stops we made was in St. Louis. If you are in town and ready to eat BBQ, be sure to stop in at Pappy’s Smoke House BBQ.
Pappys Smokehouse
We love this type of food and place. Pappy was there to greet us and make everyone feel at home. There was a long line of locals waiting to get in. I caused a bit of a traffic jam trying to get the truck out of the parking lot, but did so without a scratch…. Next stop, the St. Louis Arch.
New F150 in Chicago
Our plan worked out as anticipated. We were sad to have left such a nice condo in Chicago with wonderful views, but adventures along RT66 and beyond are ahead. The truck
Truck Packed up leaving Chicago
was packed as full as possible. Here is a picture of our new truck with Chicago in the background. Also, one with it fully packed as we look like the Clampets driving down the highway with all of our belongings. The prior planning of test packing in the living room helped out. Oddly enough, there was enough room for many boxes of golf balls but not the toaster…….
Back Seat Driver Side
Back Seat, Passenger Side
Will it fit into the truck?
Part of the retirement plan is to sell our car and buy a Ford F-150 pick-em-up truck. Rather than settle in a single place, we wish to stay in small scenic towns across the Southwest. Towns like Moab, UT; Taos, NM; and Page, AZ. The goal is to get me closer to photography. One cannot get great photos breezing into a town for a night or two. I want to stay in each town for 3-6 months and experience numerous lunar cycles. The truck is necessary to do a modern day version of the Clampets when moving from town to town. So this weekend was the big test. Will all of our belongings fit into a truck? Gayle’s belongings could fit into two suitcases. On the other hand, I have a large Epson printer, printer stand, golf clubs, computers, monitors and photo books and lenses…. On the attached photo, you can see the blue tape on the floor where I have outlined the dimensions of a Ford truck bed. The indentations are the wheel wells. The two large boxes at the end are wardrobe containers. Bottom line is I have more donations to do….