My internal clock doesn't recognize Mountain Time. Actually, on most of these trips it often doesn't recognize night time. Woke up at 6:30am my time. Just happened to be 5:30 in New Mexico. By the time I'd packed up it was 6:00am and the hotel breakfast bar was open; breakfast being a relative thing. A bowl of cereal, coffee, and orange juice pales miserably against Jim's Chili and Eggs. The songwriter was right: What a difference a day makes.
On the road by 6:30, north bound on Hwy 285 for Santa Fe. Didn't get too far. Saw a good looking breakfast place in Artesia and pulled in for something that'd stick to the ribs. No chili and eggs on the menu but they had eggs and assado. Meat stew and eggs? Works for me when there's no chili. (After all, what's chili if not a meat stew?)
They must have a hardier bunch of Mexican ancestors here in New Mexico than our standard Texas compadres. The carne assado I'm used to in Texas is an extremely flavorable beef (or pork) stew with little heat. In New Mexico it practically jumps off the plate and bites you. Good flavor though. (Memo to Dr. Leachman, cardiologist: I'm trying to be good...it's just so hard to do.)
From Carlsbad to Santa Fe you are essentially going up, from 3300 feet to 7000 feet. The difference makes a difference. The ride was nice and cool the entire way. In fact, when I intersected I-40 at Clines Corners, I pulled over and donned the riding jacket. The temperature here is 10-15 degrees cooler than I've been experiencing so far. And that is a good thing.
Just north of Clines Corners I spotted a couple of pronghorn antelope. A few miles further on there was a small gathering of about eight grazing away about a hundred yards off the highway. I decided if I saw another I would try to take a couple of pictures. That is sometime problematic with Betsy big mouth. (Yeah, I know, I liked her pipes yesterday...but this is today.) Sure enough, a few miles down the highway I spotted a male off to the right, sort of hunkered down, as if bedding down for the day. I pulled in the clutch and let Betsy come to a stop behind a small mound next to the side of the road, grabbed my big camera and walked toward the crest of the mound. I stopped when my head had cleared the mound and I could have a clear shot of the antelope.
Evidently, he had heard me and stood up. I activated the zoom, focused, and took this picture.
Then he amazed me, he started walking directly toward me. Bobby J reports that is how they hunt them. They are very inquisitive so hunters will tie a little piece of colored cloth, or something unusual to a fence or piece of terrain and the antelope will be curious and check it out. Very believable story. I stood very still and he walked to within seventy-five yards of me, easy shooting range. All the while, looking as if he was saying, "Who the crap are you, and what are you doing out here interrupting my nap?"
Pulled into Santa Fe about 12:00 noon and located the Residence Inn and Bobby J. Bob's outdone himself, spending some of the million or so Marriot points he has acquired over the years to get us a two bedroom suite with living room, kitchen, etc. Sure a long way from that Travelodge in San Antonio the other night.
Made two trips for beers, snacks, ice, and other junk food possibles. Required two trips because I forgot the beer. Boy, that's how you know you're getting old. You forget the beer. Oh well, once acquired, I remembered how to drink it.
Bobby J and I have just relaxed this afternoon and soaked in a cool Sunday in Santa Fe, vegging out (oh, if it were only vegetables) awaiting this evening. I think I have a taste for BBQ Salmon. And I know where to get it.
Tomorrow? Don't know for sure. But I'm pretty sure it'll have something to do with Indians, museums, and food and drink.
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