Friday, April 11, 2008

Home Again

Our drive through the deserts of California, Arizona and New Mexico has done me a world of good. While Los Angeles has it's charm, it's visually very cluttered. The antidote was this...

Santa Fe Trip 098
I know this photo doesn't begin to do justice to the majesty of the desert as it spread out before us, behind us and all around. At once it was yellow and grassy. Moments later it was red and rocky. I do believe I saw me some purple mountain majesties.

Oh, the mesas! One day, I dream to live on a mesa! This trip has changed my picture of the word "desert" which used to be comic book yellow sand with saguaro cactus. Truly, I love the Desert South West and it's surprisingly varied beauty. You could say I was obsessed with capturing it. No chance of that happening.
Santa Fe Trip 090

The drive there and back was really smooth. We listened to some CD mixes Cliff made. We enjoyed some Hubba Bubba.
Hubba Bubba

One of the early highlights of the drive was discovering Spike's doghouse. As we approached Needles, my husband, the font of knowledge, told me that Spike was from Needles. I hadn't exactly remembered, but it came back to me pretty quick.

Spike's Dog House
Apparently, Spike's home is not the remote desert as he told Snoopy, but outside the Denny's in Needles, CA. Kate and I stopped at many a Denny's on our original road trip so it seemed so fitting that this was our first lunch stop too.

There was time to read. This became a read aloud. No books on tape for us.
Old School No Books On Tape For Us

More Reading Material

Both of these gems came from thrift stores. I got up early one morning and stole away to go thrifting in Santa Fe. We also stopped back in Needles on the way home to check out this thrift store...
Thrift Shop in Needles, CA

How could I pass this up?

But, the best surprise on the road was the discovery of Grants Boot and Saddle Shop.
Grants NM Boot Shop
Cliff was paying for lunch and I went out to the car. I noticed this little store and thought that maybe they could help me with a pair of mules I recently bought that had developed small tears. The proprietor, Ross was so friendly. We had a really nice chat and he sewed up the tears in my shoes. While he worked I found a pair of cowboy boots on sale...for $19!!
Got Me Some New Boots

Truly, getting there was half the fun!

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Great boots, and what a deal! I'm so glad that you all had a good trip. :) I bet it was so wonderful to just get away, have a change of scenery and some adventure. I'm looking forward to hearing more about what you all did in Santa Fe!

Nutsy Coco said...

It sounds like you had a fabulous trip! The desert really is beautiful and I'm so touched that you thought of me while you were on your trip. I think sometime soon I'll have to post some of the pics I took when I went to Joshua Tree and Zion National park.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a beautiful trip. I wish we had time to do a road trip again this year. I think that rates as the all time best vacation we've had.

I love the photo looking ahead and looking back. I would have never thought to take a picture like that in a million years!!

And those boots - Girl! - those are great!!!

Jodi Ohl said...

looks like you and dh had some great adventures and lots of pretty scenery along the way! I agree, getting there is half the fun, especially when you take time out and enjoy the local sites.

Great boots!!

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a nice trip. And it is so exciting you got to see Spike's home... Snoopy has been one of my best friends since I was a little bit :)