Thursday, September 13, 2007

Viva New Mexico!


A few highlights from my rendezvous with Special K in New Mexico:

Biggest "I'm not in New York anymore" moment: Finding that the only restaurant open for dinner after 10pm was Taco Cabana.

Biggest "What were we thinking??" moment: Driving a total of six hours for Pizza Hut pizza. And paying for it all night long.

Best town name: "Truth or Consequences" (Or "TOC" on the weather maps, thank you very much.) But when it comes right down to it, don't we ALL really live in "truth or consequences"??
(And yes, I really did make Special K turn the car around and go back so I could snap the pic.)

Funniest XM Radio moment: Hearing the song "Big Girl" by Mika. Key lyric: "Diet Coke & a pizza please." Just about made the 6 hour trip for Pizza Hut pizza worth it. Ok, maybe not.

Most frustrating XM Radio moment: Hearing "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. Over and over again. And no, the lyrics don't get any better the more you hear them.

Best TV commercial: 60 second spot for "Tater Mitts", rubber gloves with an abrasive surface that basically allow you to "peel" potatoes" by scrubbing them vigorously under running water. Yeah, I know.

Most interesting artisan encountered: Carol in Santa Fe who used to paint for NASA. Art meets science in fascinating ways.

Most "interesting" artisan encountered: Robert the Navajo pottery artist we met at Petroglyph National Monument. After an interesting conversation about his previous "ladies" and his background in learning the art of indian pottery, we beat a hasty retreat when the conversation turned to how he can fly.

Most romantic moment: Accidentally stumbling across a winery in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, stopping in and having a peaceful glass of wine beside the pond and fountain on the winery grounds. (But a glass of tawny port in front of the outdoor fireplace at Baleen in Santa Fe was a darn close second!)

Most offbeat experience (and frankly, a tiny bit creepy): The burning of a giant groaning marionette effigy called Zozobra at La Fiesta de Santa Fe. Zozobra is "Old Man Gloom" and his fiery demise symbolizes the destruction of the previous year's troubles and worries.

Best birthday surprise (I hope!): Hot air balloon ride for Special K's special day. I even managed to keep it a secret until the morning we went. Even though I was on the verge of spilling the beans for DAYS. Special K was an excellent sport even though he had no idea why he had to get up at 5:00 am.

Coolest new experience (on the ground): Llama trekking with four furry llamas, Andrew the crusty trail guide and Jesse the ever loyal and adorable trail dog.

Most relaxing moment: Hour-long couples' hot rock massage in our room at the Taos B&B where we stayed. Job? What job??

2 comments:

Cathy K said...

Sounds like you had a great time.
Now you and Special K will have to come to the Columbia Valley to go llama hiking with us!

Nick said...

Sounds fun, SG! I love Pizza Hut.