pedestrian saga

I hit the road with Scott last week to rendezvous with his folks in Albuquerque. The drive from Oregon was looooong but worthwhile, allowing us to rock out at Arches National Park in southern Utah on the way down, and Monument Valley west of the Four Corners area coming back. I would gladly make a habit of visiting the Southwest in the off-season. Highlights and happy memories:

Traveling new territory in Oregon—up the Gorge and across the Bridge of the Gods to Stevenson, Washington, for breakfast at the lushly furnished Bahma Coffee Bar (”Obama Bar,” I insisted, between forkfuls of quiche), and later returning home across the high desert of the Harney Basin.

Arches National Park, near Moab, is one of those ridiculously beautiful places I’d seen in photographs and dreamed of going. Our visit was too brief, so now I’ll dream of returning.

Bestest breakfast at the Frontier in Albuquerque, a local institution across from the University of New Mexico. I would seriously subsist on this joint if I lived there. The food…[uh, excuse me while I mop up this puddle of drool] and the folks are friendly too.

Scoring some great used books at Page One, Albuquerque’s laid-back independent bookstore.

Crash course on Pueblo history and culture at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The film introducing me to San Ildefonso pottery-making genius Maria Martinez was intense.

New Mexico is not lacking for brilliant old lady artists. At her eponymous museum in Santa Fe I enjoyed the exhibition Georgia O’Keeffe and the Camera: The Art of Identity, which traced the trajectory of her public persona with portraits of the artist (even a Warhol!) alongside examples of her paintings.

Exquisite dining at the Cowgirl in Santa Fe. Yee-haw yummy comfort food and kick-ass decor to boot. Plus generous servings of delicious cowboy waitstaff! After dinner we wandered the Double Take vintage consignment store, the two-story shopping wonder down the block where I scored a fabulous piece of cowgirl art to take home.

Margaritas and more green chile atop an amorphous mound of tacos, potatoes, and beans at Sadie’s of Albuquerque, with Galaga and Ms. Pac-Man for dessert.

Unbelievable ancient graffiti spied among the volcanic rocks in Petroglyph National Monument, a stone’s throw from the western suburbs of Albuquerque.

Bowling night in Albuquerque with Scott and Karen was awesome chill. Before we rolled—keeping the barfly company while we waited for a lane to open, sipping margaritas and marveling at American Idol…and afta—feeding our faces at Flying Star Cafe. So satisfying.

Finishing my library school application, thanks especially to Scott, Sue, Mum, the OSU Writing Center, the Cherry Hills branch of the Albuquerque public library, and the Days Inn of Burns, Oregon.

And [sigh] Monument Valley, another of those dreamy places I’d seen in pictures—lotsa pictures—none of which compare to the experience of standing there on the edge, alone, inhaling crisp air and utter stillness.

(Full photo album on Flickr)

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