New Mexico To Atlanta

Leaving New Mexico behind, I headed for Atlanta and my friend Annie, but first I had to return to Madrid and Cerillos. Remember the museum I told you about and my grandfather’s elixir bottle I found tucked away on a shelf? Well, I just happened to have one of the posters in my car and I though this delightful place should have one. So, off  Mr Bear and I go to delightful Cerillos to deliver my poster and take Mary copies of pictures Al and I had taken with her and of her.

Surprise . . . I love surprises!! Yes, cowboys are still in the southwest. Meet cowboy Bill. Cowboy Bill was living in Michigan and decided he’s had it with winter. His daughter had moved to New Mexico, and gave glowing reports of the beautiful area. Bill needed a change so he decided to move. The funny thing, he didn’t have a car, only a horse. So dear Cowboy Bill decided to load up a pack horse, bring his two dogs (one was a puppy who got to ride most of the way) and ride his horse from Michigan to Los Cerillos, NM in the winter!! His stories are so funny. He does admit to receiving a few stares, especially when hitching his horse outside of Wal-Mart store, and a few odd comments, but admits, the enter trip was fun and he made many friend. My friends, even though this sounds like a real adventure, I promise I won’t try it, at least for now!!

Leaving Madrid next stop Albuquerque to visit my friend, Trey. Trey is the Reverend of La Mesa Presbyterian Church.What a fun visit we had. While he worked, I will admit to house hunting and finding the cutest adobe house. It was  perfect, except for one really BIG problem . . . no closets! It did have the best-est porch. Just like out of the Old Western TV shows. I think it was wide enough to be called a veranda. Enveloping the entire house. I loved it! Promise, I didn’t buy it, didn’t even make an offer. Later in the day I decided I needed another adventure. - The Sandia Aerial Tramway! The Sandia Tram is the world’s longest tramway. At an elevation of 10,378 feet, the peak has an 11,000 square mile panoramic view. The view at sunset is incredible. You can see forever and a day. With 25 miles of slopes and trails for skiing, hiking and biking, the tram rider can experience the rugged and otherwise inaccessible rock escarpment of the west face of the Sandias.

Bye to New Mexico -  I'll be back - Promise!!

Mr Bear and I are off again knowing I cannot drive straight on to Georgia without visiting my cousin Patti in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Also, my friend Ronnie, who is my running/marathon partner and lives in Topsfield, MA, wants to move to Hot Springs Village, so Patti and I decided Hot Springs  needed a visit. While there we ended up going to a street fair purchasing fresh veggies, fruit and a few flowers because they were so pretty and the scent delicious. We had so much fun!

Leaving Little Rock, I was finally Georgia bound, I thought! While chatting away with my friend Valerie, who lives in Sherman, Maine, I discovered she hasd a cousin in Birmingham, Alabama. Since I have never been to Birmingham, and Valerie’s cousin answered her phone. Why not lunch? Now this was suppose to be a 20 minute lunch. But, NO! Ginger took me to Jim N Nicks. This 2½ hour lunch of consisted of the best Southern Barbeque and the most delicious, scumpous, delightful desert. You have to just love Southern Barbeque. I am sad to leave, but my waistline insists!

Goodbye Ginger,I'll be back!! Off to Atlanta and I made it by night fall, exhausted but received great news -the books had made it through the Panama Canal and are going up the coast!! All is well except the gushing oil well in the Gulf. Ginger just admited oil was coming ashore and everyone was so nervous, worried, and scared of what was potentially going to happen.

Visiting my friend Annie is always so fun. She lives in a condo with the best neighbors and group of friends. She and her friend, Lavern, play Scrabble at least once a week, and if I ask “nicely” they allow me to play. Annie is great at Marketing. She is my Marketing Guru. Any out there need marketing, call Annie!

Wait a minute, Florida is calling and I must go visit Rick and check out the housing marketing in the West Palm Beach area. Besides, he just got a new Hot Tube and I want to try it out. Off to Florida for Mr Bear!

A Bit of New Mexico History – The Land of Enchantment

There is early evidence of the Scandia people living in New Mexico since 12,000-10,000 BC. Between 10,000 - 9,000 BC, Clovis hunters roamed the area in search of mammoth, bison and other game. Throughout the Southwest, between 9,000 - 8,000 BC, the Folsom people flourished at the end of the last Ice Age. The Cochise people, 10,000 – 500 BC, were the first inhabitants to cultivate corn, squash and beans, this is the earliest evidence of agriculture in the Southwest.

Between 700 and 1300 AD, the Anasazi Pueblo Indians cultivated the Chaco Civilization in Chaco Canyon making it the center of the Anasazi civilization. Visiting here one can see the dramatic adobe dwellings, or pueblos the Anasazi (a Navajo word meaning "ancient ones" or possibly "ancient enemies") built.

The pueblos were built or shaped with a straw-and-mud plaster, a typical architectural seen today in the Southwest. These pueblos often rose four to five stories high, an astonishing accomplishment for the time. The dwellings had rooms surrounding a central plaza, and throughout the settlement a number of kivas, meeting places that served a ceremonial purpose. This architecture blended harmoniously with the surrounding landscape with the doors, exterior posts and window frames painted to match the bright blue sky and the brown building the color of the earth. The population of a pueblo might have been around 1,200 people.

Between 1200 –1500 Pueblo Indians established villages along the Rio Grande and its tributaries. The northernmost of New Mexico's 19 pueblos, the Taos Pueblo has been home to the Tiwa tribes for more than 900 years, and appears the same as it did when Coronado’s expedition came in 1540. Though the Tiwa were essentially a peaceful agrarian people, they are perhaps best remembered for spearheading the only successful revolt by Native Americans in history. Launched by Pope (Poh-pay) in 1680, the uprising drove the Spanish from Santa Fe until 1692 and from Taos until 1698.

Pueblos welcome visitors to observe their annual events: The turtle dance on New Year's Day, deer or buffalo dances on Three Kings Day (Jan 6), and corn dances on Santa Cruz Day (May 3), San Antonio Day (June 13), San Juan Day (June 24), Santiago Day (July 25), and Santa Ana Day (July 26). The annual Taos Pueblo Powwow, a dance competition and parade that brings together tribes from throughout North America, is held the second weekend of July on tribal lands off NM 522. The pueblo Christmas celebration begins on Christmas Eve, with bonfires and a procession with children's dances. On Christmas day, the deer or Matachine dances take place.

Acoma Pueblo - Also called Sky City.

Chaco Canyon Pueblos - Ancient pueblos are preserved at Chaco Canyon

Cochiti Pueblo - is the home of Helen Cordero, who created the first storyteller figurines.

Isleta Pueblo New Mexico - . Also called Tuei.

Jemez Pueblo New Mexico - Wala-towa and home to the Peco Pueblo descendants

Laguna Pueblo New Mexico - Ka-waikah or Pueblo of the Lake People.

Nambe Pueblo New Mexico - Nambe Pueblo, New Mexico is 18 miles north of Santa Fe. Near Nambe Falls Recreation

Picuris Pueblo New Mexico - We-Lai. Highlights include the 200-year-old San Lorenzo Mission

Pojoaque Pueblo New Mexico - pronounced Po-Joageh, is home to the Poeh Museum.

San Felipe Pueblo - Koots-cha.

San Ildefonso Pueblo - San Ildefonso Pueblo has been inhabited since the 13th century and is famous for its black-on-black pottery. Also called PO-WOH-GE-OWEENGE.

San Juan Pueblo - Its Tewa name is Ohkay Oweenge.

Sandia Pueblo - Na-fiat.

Santa Ana Pueblo - Tamaya.

Santa Clara Pueblo - includes the Puye Cliff Dwellings. Also called Kha 'Po.

Santo Domingo Pueblo - Santo Domingo is famous for their jewelry and closely guarded and maintained culture.

Taos Pueblo - Taos Pueblo is the largest surviving multistoried Pueblo structure in the United States.

Tesuque Pueblo - Tesuque Pueblo, is one of the smallest in New Mexico.

Zia Pueblo - The Zia's Sun Symbol is the official state insignia that appears on the flag

Pueblo Secrecy wonder why the Pueblos are so secretive, there's good reason. Read about their history of religious persecution.

Memorial Day Weekend in New Mexico

Memorial Day Weekend and I am back in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with my friends. What more could I ask?  From the marvelous Spanish architecture, to my wonderful friends, the great food, magnificent sunsets, and a sky so clear blue, the puffy clouds appear to float in suspension after being tossed high in the sky. There is a saying, “Taos Mountain will call back those it wants to return, and I honestly feel the pull.” The Land of Enchantment has captured me. I will forever return.

 Sunday and the Turquoise Trail

Saturday my friend, Al, and I head off on the Turquoise Trail to Madrid, New Mexico, on his motorcycle. With my camera in hand, I must admit I make him stop many times for, “Pull over, I have to take a picture!” For those who saw the movie Wild Hogs, Madrid is the place Wild Hogs has taken from “Oh, I know the place” to “I have been there! Want to see my t-shirt?”

Madrid was booming in it's heyday, supplying coal for the Santa Fe Railroad, local consumers and the US Government. This company town became famous for its Fourth of July parade, lighted Christmas displays and minor league baseball games in the first lighted stadium in the west. When coal use declined the town fell silent. It became a ghost town. In the early 1970's, artists and craftspeople arrived.

With its many artists and craftpeople, Madrid is fun and very entertaining. The galleries are full of interesting and different objects of art. The Metallo Gallery got me when I saw the display of necklaces handcrafted in New Zealand: engraved fish hooks, originally made of whale bone, held on leather chains. Al was taken with the Tibetan, Oaxacan, Navajo and African rugs in Fines Textiles Inc.

Before we stopped in Madrid, I took Al to Cerrillos where I introduce him to Mary of Mary’s Bar. Mary will be 95 in July and still runs her bar; with so many stories to share, we spent a good bit of the afternoon listening to her memories of Cerrillos. The Los Cerrillos mining district is one of the oldest and most marked of the Old Spanish mineral developments in the Southwest. Cerrillos was full of hearty miners who extracted gold, silver, lead, zinc and turquoise from area mines at its peak in the 1880’s. According to Al, the coalmine was in Madrid and the 300 miners lived in Cerrillos and walked the 3 miles to Madrid everyday to work in the coalmine and these 300 miners and families supported the town’s 21 saloons and four hotels. While it was once seriously considered as the capitol of New Mexico, today  Cerrillos, with its dirt streets, is a picturesque reminder of the Old West. While in Cerrillos we also visit the Casa Grande Trading Post and discover an MK Paine Celery Compound bottle. Interesting, MK Paine was my Great-Great-Great Uncle and he bottled Celery Compound in Windsor, Vermont! Small world.

Monday, Memorial Day and Taos

Another gorgeous day and we decide to ride the High Road to Taos, one of New Mexico’s National Scenic Byways. I remember the first time I drove The High Road to Taos, I was awestruck and camera happy as I gazed at the snow capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains. I remember carefully maneuvering my car along this curvy road as I made my way from Taos to Santa Fe driving through the alpine meadows, stopping in the picturesque Spanish and Pueblo villages, and visiting the many galleries to help sustain the rural economy of this charming, centuries-old region. This beautiful road has inspired many artists and artisans.

Since Al had never been on the High Road, what better place to ride a motorcycle then this curvy road to Taos on such a beautiful day.

Arriving in Taos, I wanted to visit all my friends and “show off my book!” Sun Shades where you can get the best designer eyewear, thank you Tammy and Rob for fixing my glasses. Robert Faurie owns Maison Faurie, the most interesting antique shop (it’s for sale). If you want to buy a velvet-lined box of eyeballs, contact Robert, he has them and a metal chastity belt from 1800’S! We stopped to visit Charlie Collins at his gallery but he was on holiday. Charlie enjoyed (I think) critiquing my photographs when I lived in Taos. Then of course, we had stop in Horse Feathers to visit Lindsey and peruse through his Cowboy Shop. This is the shop where I got my very official Kansas City Brothel Inspector badge!

After lunch at Renato’s Café in Taos we ride the "Low Road” back to Santa Fe.What a fun weekend. Now back to the tasks at hand: the book and driving back to Maine. Hope you enjoyed this quick tour of a place I find so very special.

Palm Springs to Santa Fe

The six pre-press samples of Life and Times on Pleasant Pond arrived May 27. I must admit, when I opened the first book, I cried. It is so beautiful, I can't believe it . . thank you Greg. To every who collaborated on this project, “We did good!” “We look great in print,” and “We have done ourselves proud.” Doesn’t seem possible, but this project was started exactly one year and six months ago, November 27, 2008.

Now to market this book! Since I am Van de Bogart Publishing, back to Maine I go. This trip will find me, not only marketing Life and Times on Pleasant Pond, but also house/condo/ apartment hunting. But before I leave, I must say good-bye to my friends in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Desert Hot Springs, California, my home for the last six months: Dr and Ambie Henderson and your wonderful staff, a most sincere thank you for everything; the Rancho Mirage Library,”Yes, that’s me you are missing chatting on the phone with her book designer.” I do have all the computer log-on slips for proof of my many hours spent in your beautiful library; Sandy Swift, a person can’t have too many “sisters from the heart”; Johnny and Louie, “Yes, life is grand!” Richard Kay, “How many bearings can a person sell?” The yard sale in Palm Springs was so much fun. Who knew it could be so cold at 7:00AM? And Luciano, at Latino Books, thank you for the advice and counsel. Oh yes, Marsha, at Raymond’s, my hair is fabulous!! I will see you all in November when I come back for my book signings.

May 26

Now it’s time to leave and the books aren’t here. Buggers! They are being shipped over night to Phoenix, my first stop. Everyone in southern California, you’ll have to wait until November, or order now.

My first stop back to Maine is Pebble Creek, Goodyear, Arizona. n over 55 community just outside of Phoenix. Everyone one I meet here loves it! What is not to love: golf 365 days a year, no snow, a fantastic arts and crafts building where anything from woodworking and stain glass is done along with sewing, quilting and ceramics? The homes might not have enough room for crafts, but this building more than serves its purpose. And the gym, no wonder everyone is in such great shape! Just as I am getting ready to leave Phoenix, I learn of a new town up in the mountains with water!! Phoenix, water? This I have to see. True enough, Estrella has two lakes for kayaks! Gorgeous and the little house I tour, in Canta Mia, has an art studio! Kayaking and art studio for all my art stuff . . .  imaginative possibility. Not ready to make a decision, I head for Santa Fe, New Mexico, by way of USA Route 10 through Tucson, AZ and Las Cruces, NM. Not dawdling but night fall gets in my way and I only make it to Deming, New Mexico.  Who cares, I am still in my beloved New Mexico.

Deming, New Mexico . . . The Silver Spike was driven here in 1881 to commemorate the meeting of the Southern Pacific with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads. Cute, and the Grande Hotel has a great bed and great food in the attached restaurant with such a fun cook and wait staff.

The next morning, May 29, I head for Las Cruces but the bells the Basilica of San Albino in the town of Old Mesilla ("Little Tableland") draw me to this quaint historical community in Southern New Mexico. Since its beginning, around 1848, Old Mesilla has had a major influence on the economic, cultural, historical, and political life of the Mesilla Valley. From the Gadsden Purchase, to the Civil War, to the Butterfield Stage Coach Trail, to the trial of Billy the Kid, to being a lively social center in the 1880s--Mesilla has been a prominent part of the rich history of the Southwest.

Remember, I grew up in New England, home of quaint, cute and charm. Old Mesilla has cute, quaint old New Mexico charm! Solamente de Mesilla is a perfect example of “got to have southwest” - rustic furniture, delicious salsa stations, the perfect dishes for anything, stomach burning hot - Got Salsa? Do they have salsa! (http://www.solamentedemesilla.com/)

Next stop, Josefina’s old gate- café/inn/antiques. This place is imagination and creativity gone wild. Kathleen is the granddaughter of the original owner of this old adobe home and she has restored, and with her family, maintained this property with unbelievable southwestern charm, love heritage, and flowers! Driving past, I was drawn into this oasis of potted flowers winding up and over bricks, water fountains trickling among the adobe walls, and laughter of the diners sitting in the outdoor café of colorful tiled tables and bright colored umbrellas magnifying the New Mexico sky. All this, and if you are lucky enough, you will hear the bells of Basilica of San Albino.

Old Mesilla is also home to the bar where the Billy Kid was tried and sentenced. This is a town of full of charm and intrigue . . . what fun!!

Forcing myself to leave, on to Las Cruces I go for the Old Town Las Cruces Street fair. Here, in the Southwest, due to weather conditions, street fairs happen all the time, drawing artisans from all over. Whenever I find a street fair, I hunt out photography to learn how and see how the photographs are being shown. In Las Cruces I am introduced to Tom Green and his artful way of framing a Giclée. Gorgeous! Lucky me, I get a mini lesson.

Time is short, it is nearly 3 in the afternoon and Santa Fe is calling! Wait, I have to go to Hatch, the chili capital of the world where Gilly’s Hatch Valley Chili Company has the best of the best homemade chili. Being a green horn chili eater, I get a lesson in chili preparation from Gill and learn the health benefits of chili. Who knew, what burns your stomach is so good for you. For me, wildly hot-killer chili doesn’t sit well with my Italian loving Mediterranean diet system. One has to love the southwest - lots of sunshine, great new friends and chili. With chili, you can have your choice . . . green chili for chicken, red for pork or beef, and if you like both red and green, you get Christmas!! Please, just don't give me a Breakfast Burrito with Christmas!

Santa Fe, here I come. Oops, next stop Truth or Consequences. With a name like that, I have to stop and see Elephant Butte Lake.

Santa Fe

I have made it, Santa Fe! Hi, Al!

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and we have so much to do. With such gorgeous weather, our adventures will be on his motorcycle!! What fun. I know I am suppose to be working on marketing the book, but it’s a holiday, and I need a break. While in Phoenix and along the way I have sent off review copies. I have booked more book signings. I gave a copy to the University of Maine Alumni Association auction - it sold! When I meet old or new friends, I give them either a postcard or business card in hopes they will check this blog, and have interest enough to purchase a book. Thank you.