Sandia Peak

Hiway 536 starts at Sandia Park on Hiway 14 (The Turquoise Trail) and heads in to the Cibola National Forest. It is a fourteen mile long ribbon of twisting, curving asphalt that leads to the top of Sandia Peak. With an elevation of 10,678 ft., it is 5,364 ft. above Albuquerque. Even now, in the middle of May, snow can be found in patches. In the winter, Sandia Park is the local ski area complete with one chair lift. The view from the top to the valley below is spectacular.

For some reason people like to ride their bicycles up this stretch of road. If you make the trip, watch out for them - especially as they come flying down the mountain. As with any stretch of road like this, it is popular with the sport bikers. They race each other to the summit, dragging knees and grinning like mad men.





I continued my search for local diners, drive-ins and dives that haven't been part of the television show. Today I found "Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q". It is in truth a meat market that sells smoked meats pulled from their pit, cut in full view of the customers and served on white butcher paper by the pound. You can serve yourself and eat in or take it home. They provide breads and have sides, desserts and drinks. Don't let the sign fool you, it is not the world's worst B-B-Q.

Not quite a Lazy Boy, but...

It will do.

I've mentioned that I need a recliner in my coach, but there is no room. The ever resourceful David suggested turning my passenger seat around to become extra seating. Well I did it. It isn't quite a recliner, but it gives me a seat with a headrest for tv viewing and reading. I'll run an extension cord to it and get a lap table for the computer and rig a reading lamp over it. When I hit the road I can put it back in the upright and stowed position.

Most of my day was spent getting estimates for the repair of my bike and faxing them to the insurance company. I don't think there will be any problem getting paid, the other driver has admitted fault and they aren't arguing about the cost.

Thought(s) for the day

When you go for a ride in the desert of New Mexico, and when you run in to a sand storm in said desert, be sure to wear your leather jacket. The tumbleweeds hitting you at 40 mph won't hurt nearly so bad.

Another thought, if you haven't seen "Ironman" - do. Stay until the end of all of the credits so you can see the secret scene.

Do you know the way to Sante Fe?

The weather prognosticators predicted 80, sunny and breezy. Their job is pretty easy here this time of year. A perfect day for a ride to Sante Fe. Did you sing the title to this post?

I had three reasons for the trip: 1. Go for a ride 2. See the Georgia O'Keefe Museum 3. Go to another of the "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" - The Tecolote Cafe.

I started out early following Route 66 (Central Ave) through town which connects with Hiway 333 and 337 and took me to the village of Tijeras, the start of The Turquoise Trail - Hiway 14 to Sante Fe.


Stopping in Madrid for a quick bite and a cup of coffee at The Java Junction was very enjoyable. It's a friendly, artsy, funky former mining town that died once and was resurrected in 1970 as a commune. That attitude still prevails.

Continuing on to Sante Fe, I found the cafe, but decided to go to the museum first as I had just had a bite to eat in Madrid. Sante Fe is an upscale, yuppy vacation wonderland. It has some wonderful museums, it was just too bad that the O'Keefe Museum was closed to prepare for a new exhibit. Damn. I wandered through town (almost bought a $600 bracelet for myself - I still might) and visited a few galleries and museums. Marvelous stuff.


By now it's 2 o'clock and time for lunch so I head back to Tecolote Cafe only to find that it closes at 2. Damn.

I jump on the bike remembering another dive that I wanted to try - The Doghouse. Foot long hot dogs split, grilled, topped with hot chili (no beans), cheese and onions. What a great dog!



So, I got my ride, have to wait a week to go to the O'Keefe Museum and won't eat before I get to Sante Fe next time. There is one leg of the Turquoise Trail that I didn't ride - to the top of Sandia Crest on 536, elevation 10,678 ft.

Next time.

Cinco de Mayo

Hola! Feliz Cinco De Mayo amigos y amigas!

I visited historic old town Albuquerque today. A very pleasant day. It started with a drive down historic Route 66. Sadly, like so many things, the romantic version of it is better than reality. There are a few buildings left from the halcyon days of yore, but most are boarded up and for sale, in various stages of disuse.

The San Felipe church anchors Old Town. It is still an active Catholic church and school.

Old Town is mostly small shops selling the same things. There are some authentic native American run stores and there are local artists/vendors on the sidewalks.

I'm okay, but my bike isn't. I got bumped at a stop light. She had stopped her Lincoln Towncar, I saw that, but her foot slipped or something and she hit me. I didn't get knocked down and the only damage I can find is my right saddlebag and the bent license plate. She has insurance and so do I. The bike is rideable.

Thoughts on being "Homeless"

First, note that homeless is in parenthesis. I am in no way comparing myself to those individuals who are truly homeless. I am so very lucky to be in the position that I now find myself.

I have been asked what it’s like to travel by myself. I’ve glibly replied that I am just another of the homeless masses. Being who I am, I’ve given the subject some thought in the last couple months.

I am, in some ways, homeless. I have no brick and mortar building to call home. That is not to say that I don’t have a (leaky) roof over my head. I have a bed, a kitchen, a bathroom – all of the comforts of home (except a recliner).

In the past I have had abodes - stick built apartments, duplexes, town homes and a single family residence – but not a home. Not since my little family group was taken from me.

Losing my family through separation and divorce was the worst thing that has happened to me in my life. I became a failure overnight. That was years ago and it still affects my daily life.

Separation anxiety. That’s what the psychiatrist called it. She offered drugs and therapy, but was more fixated on whether or not I had thoughts of suicide. I gained 90 pounds, did nothing beyond what was required. Go to work, go home, eat, drink, sleep, get up and do it again. Friends and determination got me through the worst part. Friends that got me out of the house. Friends that got me on the tennis court and the golf course. Friends that helped me rekindle my interests. The determination to not eat when there was nothing better to do. Boredom when you are alone is a killer.

Now I am as alone as I have ever been. My traveling partners have gone their way and I’ve gone mine. Being sick, in a strange city and alone is no fun. Thanks to modern technology I’ll never really be alone again. I can reach out to friends and family anytime I want and I know that they will be there for me. It was that way during the bad times, too. I just didn’t realize it.

On a happier note, Mary reminded me that Monday is Cinco de Mayo and that I should go to Old Town Albuquerque and participate. I think I will.

I know it's Thursday, but...

Gopher: If I was you, I'd think about skedaddlin' out of here.

Winnie the Pooh: Why?

Gopher: 'Cause it's "Winds-day".

Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, 1968

I know yesterday was Winds-day, but today is just a continuation of yesterday in so many ways. Thanks to the wind and this cough that I caught in the Ozarks, I spent the day in the RV, reading, watching "Bruce Almighty" and doing laundry. I hope that the wind will let up for my drive to Albuquerque tomorrow.