Good Places

In Black Mesa country

Editor Pilar Guzman says "Travel is more about changing your state of mind...the departure from routine, the act of discovery...than it is about taking a grand tour. It is precisely the ability to seek out the new (or the old, with fresh eyes) and to maintain a sense of wonder even in our hometowns...."

                                     Departure From Routine

                                     

Bob and I were able to escape the Oklahoma heat for a few days last week. With only one reservation made for that night’s stay in Trinidad, Colorado, we started early with a McDonald’s breakfast in Alva.  Once we got through all the oil field traffic in this area and well into the Panhandle, we began oohing and ahhing through the Black Mesa country. Real mountains in Oklahoma!

Wedding Cake Butte on Wedding Cake Ranch just into New Mexico

The pasture grasses were green, the cattle fat, the good road was mostly ours, and the mountains began to surround us.  We backed up lots of times for photos. Love this area!

 Acts of Discovery

We came upon this unique little stone jail in Branson, New Mexico. There are some interesting stories in ranch country!

Changing Our State of Mind

One of Bob's trip goals was to golf at Cougar Canyon resort outside of Trinidad.  He had seen photos of it on the internet and looked forward to playing there for the past 3 years.  But when we drove in that afternoon, we discovered it had gone into foreclosure and everything stood in a state of abandonment.  Lesson learned: Don’t trust websites…or at least check the dates on them! 

It reminded us of so many big ventures like this that failed in Colorado when we lived there in the 80’s. Thankfully, this was really the only disappointment of our trip and Bob enjoyed golf at the other Trinidad course that evening.

Taking a Grand Tour

We passed lots of interesting old churches on this trip and I decided to make a montage of the photos one of these days.

Next morning we took the Scenic Route 12 loop west of Trinidad up to LaVeta through the Spanish Peaks.  Another unspoiled, sparsely traveled and beautiful road past blue reservoirs, the still working Coalgate mine, fragrant pines and sparkling streams. Photo ops abound!


                                           

At LaVeta Bob joined a friendly Texas threesome for golf with good greens and grand views all around while I explored the little town and more of the old Spanish architecture. 

Grandote Golf Club at LaVeta, Colorado

                                           Maintaining a Sense of Wonder

We found a nice room at Fort Garland that evening and drove out to the Great Sand Dunes.  What a majestic place!  We were expecting some dunes out in the middle of a desert but these huge ever-changing dunes lie right at the foot of the mountains. 

On the deck of the visitor center a couple asked me to take their photo and we had an interesting discussion.  I commented on what I considered improbable about the literature inside that said the dunes were formed millions of years ago by sand coming down the little mountain streams.

 She said “No, I think God just did it.” To which I happily responded “Amen!”  Then he said “I liked what the Indians thought though; that some of their squaws carried all the sand here!” 

Traveling to Taos the next day we passed through several hamlets with interesting churches.  Some well maintained, some abandoned.  Perhaps a commentary on the spiritual lives of past and present residents as well?

                                                         Seeking Out the New

On the outskirts of Taos, we picked out a slab of stone for our new bath vanity and I found a hammered copper sink to go with it.  The Mexican owners and workers were so cheerful and friendly!  Sure enjoyed having a whole empty pick-up bed for BIGTIME shopping Southwest style…my favorite!

Jackalope bargains in Santa Fe

Which color?  Green or blue?  Okay, both!

Landscape ideas abound!

Seeing the Old With Fresh Eyes

We finished loading the truck near Pueblo at Musso's, our favorite farm market, with fresh Rocky Ford cantaloupes, melons, cherries, tomatoes, and onions. What a fine Italian immigrant bunch of farmers they are!

We didn't even buy a tenth of the veggie varieties they have!

Sunday morning we joined our Kansas brothers in Christ in their new activity building at Bible Christian in Garden City for worship and a great sermon. 

Later that day as we drove through the scenic Gyp Hills between Coldwater and Medicine Lodge nearing home, listening to Sirius Escape radio music, we both agreed with editor Guzman's analysis of travel.  There's a grand country to explore and enjoy within only hours of home.