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Published: March 11th 2009
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Sante Fe
So Artsy, Such Nice Looking Buildings, yep, I'd go hang there for a few more days I'm still alive, just been too busy enjoying the company of my family, and the stunning views, to stop to write about it for the last few days! I plan to flesh out the details of some of my adventures in the future, as I have plenty of pictures. However, for now, here is a brief synopsis of what I've been up to and my pretty solid plans of where I am going next.
When last I wrote, I was in a Starbucks in Sante Fe. After finishing that article on Jim Bishop's Castle I cruised to downtown historic Sante Fe for a quick survey. Driving through this tiny capital of 60,000, I admired how even the McDonald's had the adobe look going for it, making the town very pleasing to the eye. It really became quite charming though when I got past the corporate america caked in adobe, and got to the downtown area, full of small shops and local restaurants displaying artists works. Over 20% of the Sante Fe population is an artist of some variety, and this Fodor's statistic was proved by the wondrous displays and aesthetic scenes all around. I could definitely see coming back to
The tent rocks!
They look like tents, but they are really rocks! WOOOHOO! Sante Fe for few days and perusing these stores in the future; however, I had miles to go to get to Phoenix and some stops to make on the way.
Onto the Interstate I went, and got cruising... for about 15 minutes. Then I pulled off onto the New Mexico Highway to make my way towards the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument for some promising quick hikes. After a thirty minute cruise through the Land of Enchantment, I arrived at the park, rode down the 5 mile gravel road to the parking lot, and got in a great hike through a marvelous canyon- then climbed to the top of the canyons wall, a ridge with vistas with 360 degree views of New Mexico for miles. Although I took many pictures in an attempt to be able to convey the sense of wonderment that filled me, I feel this endeavor may have been in vain, as to fully experience it ya just gotta be there. In any case, I then made my way down and found one of the cleanest and neatest caves I've ever seen. Just 9 feet in diameter, it had shelves along its walls perfect for sleeping,
and a little window for smoke from a fire to keep one warm. After hanging in that for a moment, it was time to move on and push for the Petrified Forest in Arizona.
Unfortunately, by the time I arrived, the Petrified forest was closed- in fact I saw the mechanized gates shut right before my eyes as the ranger pulled out! So on to Flagstaff. Then...after arriving in Flagstaff...the decision to just push on to Phoenix and make my date with my Padre. Zoom Zoom Zoom, down the mountain I flew- loving the curves of the mountain descent in the night. Arriving in Phoenix hungry, and just as the real restaurants closed, me and my Dad went on a quest for a quick bite. What we found was a burger which many regard as one of the holy burgers our countries has to offer, the In and Out burger. Personally, while I enjoyed it, I wasn't ready to add it to my list of great burgers- In and Out was decent, but it is no Portillos in my book.
After a great nights sleep in a big bed and a shower, I headed down to a tremendous
In n Out Burger
Decent, but not worthy of all the hullabaloo breakfast at my Dad's country club, getting a three egg omelette loaded with everything they had to offer! MMM MM MMM MM goood! Then it was time to decide what to do that day- and although my padre was leaning more towards some baseball training events, he was up to try a hike in the surrounding rocky hills. Thus, our adventure up the Pinnacle Peak began. First though, we stopped at the touristy Pinnacle Patio - a neat establishment with 1000's of cut ties hanging from the rafters - note - do not wear a tie in there if you value it! Then onto the Pinnacle peak park itself. It was a great trail, with many informative signs teaching about the desert plants along the route up, and it was another beautiful day for a hike. The vistas - once more, were astounding. I have definitely had the fortune to gave upon America from on high in many spots on this voyage so far, and I've enjoyed every view. There were also plenty of people to share the trail with - locals using it as an outdoor jogging path, and other tourists such as myself.
After our foray into
Pinnacle Patio
Tie collection! Grease Wood Flats had a dollar bill collection stapled to their ceiling - i'd take the latter of the two the desert was complete - my Dad took me to hang out with a bunch of Jackasses...literally, as we pulled into Grease Wood Flats - I saw four donkeys around eating out of a monster truck tire and lifted my eyebrow. This wasn't generally the sort of place I viewed my padre hanging, but before I knew it, we were at a picnic table listening to country and Johny Cash hanging out with real cowboys sipping a few brews down in the afternoon sun. The mix of true cowboys, yuppie harley riders, and real rough riders, combined with tourists in their brand new white shoes, with kids as young as five and cowboys as old as 70 out on the dance floor- made for a fun crowd to enjoy the music and food.
Then it was time to head back to Silverleaf- my dad's countryclub - for a hot tub, steam, and shower. As we walked into the Men's locker room though, one of my Dad's friends called us over, and next thing I knew, there was tequila and wings in front of me! Fortunately for our health - this was sipping tequila - an aged petron, rather than
Mi Padre y Yo
Pinnacle Patio with Pinnacle Peak in the background the silver "petreus" my room mates enjoy so much in a quicker fashion! After that lil doozy was polished off, and our bodies were through being inundated with hot water from the various devices of the club - we caught the sunset overlooking the 18th hole of the course while a bagpiper made his way down the fairway- navigating the desert ravine in the way while continuing to bellow forth his scottish music, then ending in front of the club house with a rendition of America, the Beautiful on his pipes. Off to a great dinner, then to sleep, and a new beautiful day was ready to greet me.
Although initially planning a second wonderful breakfast at the Club, the knucklehead that I am, I locked my keys in the trunk - and thus we waited an extra hour at my Dad's house while a free AAA locksmith came to correct my mistake...note to self....NO MORE DOING THAT! Then off we went to prepare for a round of ball whacking on that luxurious bastion of green grass in the desert. Although I started off relearning golf again with some silly strokes, by the time we skipped the traffic and
Jackasses!
Hanging out around greasewood flats - this one came up close - prolly thought I had food or was going to pet him... no dice for him - i had to obey the sign hit the wide open back nine, I had re-established a decent swing and was knocking out some gutsy shots that, with a bit of luck, were working out for me, nearly parring a few holes. Of course, my favorite moment on that course is Tom's Tee- a tee box 200 feet+ above all the rest - were you get to shoot down upon the par 3 16th whole from 240 yards out, then give a whack at the wide open fairway of the 18th hole. Three balls were quickly lost to the surrounding desert, but my forth ball landed just shy of the white tees on the fairway of the 18th! Victory!...sorta! I actually finished pretty decently on the 18th till it got to the putting where I added an un-needed stroke- but I was happy, and had enjoyed the round. We grabbed a quick bite to eat - I tried the Tuna sliders, then it was time for me to hit the rode and make it to Palm Springs to visit my Uncle Mike and Aunt Bonnie.
Before I get to the rest of my adventures though - my laundry is done drying, and I've got my fleece
Ye Olde Bagpiper
Nothing like a lil bagpipe action at sunset to cap off an afternoon patched - so it is time to trek the 9 hours to my destination of a friend's house tonight! Where am I? Where am I going? Soon enough I'll write and tell you if you're still interested! (I'll also add pictures!)
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