This blog is for Bobby

  Well, I haven't been keeping up with my where abouts lately and I got an ear full from my brother. So, Bobby this is for you.
  Last blog was we were in Madrid. That's where the movie Wild Hogs was filmed. It really is a neet town and should certainly be checked out if you go anywhere close to it.
  We spent 2 weeks in Taos. Got to see a lot of art work in the many galleries there. Also took several oil painting classes.
   Also went to see the cliff dwellings close by. I made a short video and uploaded it on my Facebook page. I'll try uploading some pics for you here.
   Left for Albuquerque and we stayed there for a week. Took the bus to Old Town where a lot of old buildings with shops and galleries. It was all good.
   Got a new set of tires for the truck and headed for Silver City; a day and a half drive. Stayed there for a week and explored several sites close by and walked around town. Again the galleries. Visited another cliff dwellings about 44 miles away and explored Whitewater canyon close by. The day of the cliff Dwellings it was a nice sunny day. The next day at the canyon, snow and cold. No one there but us so we had it all to ourselves. Took LOTS of pics and video.
    After a week in Silver City and the roads opening back up due to the severe weather conditions we headed back to Parker to spend a few days with Tana and family. Hopefully tomorrow (Tuesday) we'll head for Nebraska to see family there. Then .....maybe on to Bobby's. Time is getting short and there's business needing attending to in Washington before we get on the ferry.
   Well, Bobby, that about brings you up to date for now. I'll try uploading a few pics here in a few days.

Wild Hogs !

  

   Stayed two weeks in Taos which is know for it's art and artist. Also home of Kit Carson. Lot of history in the Taos area.

  Today we drove the  Albuquerque Turquoise Trail. One of our stops was in Madrid where the movie Wild Hogs was filmed. The majority of the film is shot in the colorful former mining town of Madrid, New Mexico. After the town’s mine closed in the 1800s, it became somewhat of a ghost town until the 1970s when artists began to settle in the charming village. Today, it is a thriving artists’ colony complete with shops, galleries, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. Madrid is located on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, approximately 50 miles northeast of Albuquerque amongst the Sandia Mountains. The open roads, breathtaking vistas, magnificent mountain views, and parking and picnic spots along the way have made this a popular scenic route for tourists, motorcyclists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
   Tonight, we're in  Albuquerque 

Oil Paintings

             

  oil painting while we were in Taos.

 

Cheap Chicken Mondays

   Woke up with a headache this morning so we decided to take it easy. First stop, post office to get box and mail Baby Chance his birthday presents. Well, as we drove into the post office parking lot, we noticed that we were going the wrong way. Of course someone had to point that out to me. I then asked him why not put up a sign saying one way or do not enter at each end. I doubled checked and nope .... no signs.
   With that little episode I should have figured out that it may not get any better as the day progresses.
   We decided to go to a very nice restaurant that we'd read about the night before. The Dragonfly. Sounds like a good place. Well, we found it and to make a long story short, we didn't get served. We watched the couple beside us get served and they were almost finished with their meal and still no waiter came back to take our order. We then watched as another group came in and sat down. They got their water and a little while later the waiter came back and took their order. Hmmm, It wasn't like they were busy. We were the only ones in there waiting. We then got up and went back to the room. Pam went 'shoppping' and saw where the grocery store had a special CHEAP CHICKEN MONDAYS.
   MMMMMMMM drumsticks.

Learning Curve

Don't order Mexican food from any place that's on wheels

Don't eat at Tequila Restaurant, "An authentic Mexican restaurant".

Don't eat at places that doesn't have a car or two parked outside.

Don't believe any sign on outside of restaurant that offers happy hour and free appetizers.

My Dogs are Barking

  Went to out of the way places just outside of the downtown area in Taos. Met some interesting people again. Josselyn Martinez, native artist that's VERY talented. Talked with her for about 45 minutes.     
   Another art gallery we talked with an artist printer. He showed us his printing press in the back and explained the processes. I have a new appreciation for that.
   Also talked to a gallery owner who also paints. Got a lot of useful tips and ideas from her. Some I'll try this next Summer.
   Saw a painting with a $25,000 price tag. I guess the artist was famous to have that price tag for that particular painting.
   I also have a 3 day workshop with an artist on oil painting next week. That's why we're staying a few extra days.
   Tomorrow is all planned out again. So much history and so many things to see.
   We also had a Salmon BLT with buffalo chili.....yummy

Looking For A Gem

Decided today to stay out of the downtown corp area and try to find some 'gems'. We found one in a shop owner who's shop we walked into and was given an oral history of New Mexico. What an interesting guy. I could have sat there and listened to him all day. We'll visit again if we come back again.