Oh, the Tumbling Tumbleweed . . .

Yesterday we traveled from Taos to Bosque, NM which was approximately 205 miles. Sounds like a short drive day, but the route we took through Los Alamos and then Highway 4 added some time. Why? Here, let me tell you . . .

Highway 68 coming out of Taos seemed very dangerous. Rather than play the nagging-wife-back-seat-driver role to make sure Mark kept his eyes on the road, I tried a different tactic; every time we passed a cross or memorial on the side of the road, I’d point and call out, “Dead person!”  It worked. There were so many memorials it was sad. Even though Mark stayed alert, I think I depressed the both of us.

We found a little place to stay the night in Bosque, NM. Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel. Nothing fancy, but cute, quaint and really inexpensive. 

They had a little serenity garden. It was full of all different types of birds, having choir practice while I listened with glee. Beautiful. Even some bunnies joined in. (Thumping their paws, sheesh, everyone knows bunnies have terrible singing voices.)

I am pretty sure parts of Highway 4 are NOT meant for RV’s. There were extremely sharp turns...

And rocks jutting out so far into the road, I thought they would rip into the side of the RV, my side, of course.

      

At one point, a herd of tumbleweeds raced across the highway. I could almost hear them giggling and squealing as they dodged the cars. 

There were amazing rocks all around us in a wide variety of different shapes, sizes, textures and colors. It was like we were looking at them through a View Master.

I WISH I COULD SHOW YOU THESE IN 3-D
SO YOU COULD SEE THE LAYERS OF DEPTH 

I swear this rock wall smiled at me when I took this picture!

SAY CHEESE!

When we went to go through Los Alamos to get to Hwy 4 , there was an unexpected check point. They made Mark show his ID, had a military person come into the rig to inspect, and then they actually had an escort that drove behind us to the next check point where we were then cleared to continue on.

I was unaware of this, but Mark said that we were escorted past the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which is where, back in the 40’s, they designed the first atomic bombs that were used on Japan. Nowadays they are one of the largest science and technology institutions in the world. They conduct research in things like national security, space exploration, renewable energy, medicine, nanotechnology and super-computing.  (Yes, I looked it up) And that’s just what they WANT us to know . . . Not too far from all those UFO crossing signs! I'm just saying!

Once we got through all the security, we drove up to Valle Grande, which was this amazing flat valley formed millions of years ago when several volcanic eruptions caused this ginormous collapse.

Valle Grande

Then we passed the Rio Grande River, or the "Rio not-so Grande' as I dubbed it...I don't know, I thought it would be a lot bigger, grander!

In all fairness, it was only a rather tiny chunk that I saw. Maybe it is mucho gordo further on down . . . or up. If you look really, REALLY close, you can see a wee little rafter, floating down the wee little Rio...

Lots of beautiful (and some a little trashy) towns a long the way with interesting things to look at. 

WONDERING IF THAT IS THE SPANISH WAY TO SPELL MARTINI?

SOMEONE BE WAMPUM COLD IF NO FINISH TEE-PEE BEFORE NIGHTFALL!

Missed a couple of amazing photo opts as we blew through one little town with a picturesque church that was tiny, had an oversized steeple for its size, and gorgeous, aged, aqua blue wooden doors. 

There was also a home, just down from the church, where an artist had made a mosaic of a tree on one side of their house, from broken bits of mirror and glass; it sparked to life as the suns rays played off it like musical instrument. So darn stunning. I WILL return someday, when I can do a walk-through rather than a fly-by!

Presently we have stopped in a little place called Pie Town. We were told they are known for their pie. So we took the bite (ha ha) and $30 later, we are back on the road with a blackberry pie to share with the Aunties (Ruth and Strannie) when we get to Show Low, AZ. We're close enough and the roads look good. I think I’ll try to get a nap in…Mr. Fuzzy Britches has the right idea!

ZZZzzz

...Or, I could slip in back to the fridge and see if I can get a bite of that pie without leaving any evidence! <shhh!>

Oh my goodness! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE old windmills???

Look at what I found just outside of Pie Town!

I MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD GIRL TO HAVE STUMBLED UPON THIS PLACE!

*** I have had several followers inquire about my "missed photo opt" so I did a bit of research and found the town was San Ysidro, New Mexico. I also did a Google search and found a picture of the church I described. Isn't it lovely?

I still need to go back and capture the house with the mural, plus I have a feeling there are a lot more hidden treasures to be found in this gem of a town . . .