In 2000 my daughter was living in Arizona, she asked me if I'd like to spend the Winter with her. Who wouldn't? So early on a Wednesday morning in January I set out I was more excited than nervous. In the meantime Dee and I, who had only been friends online at that point, decided a detour to Las Cruces would be in order. I stopped for lunch and thought if I make it to the TN border that will be good. I just kept going and when I stopped around 6:30 pm to find a room for the night. I was in Little Rock AR. I was so tired but happy. I was too tired to check my mileage, the next morning I couldn't believe I'd driven 800 miles! My son was a little disturbed, told me to take it easy, or did I plan on getting my CDL? Called Dee and she said you'll be here by Friday. I told her I wasn't sure as I was going to take my time. On Thursday night, I called her and said, "I'm in New Mexico but I can't say the name of the town. She laughed and said, "It's Tucumcari." I thought it would "two cum carey" phonetically it's "Teh cum keree". What ev.
Dee told me I would be at her place by lunchtime tomorrow. She was right, now remember this was way before I had my GPS, I did have to call Dee to rescue me, I wasn't really lost. Someone told me I didn't get lost going to Arizona because I just had to stay on I-40. Well I should have told them about my detour. I spent a long weekend with Dee and Jim.
On Saturday Dee and I took off and I got to see the beautiful Organ mountains, we were on the way to White Sands National Park. That is a phenomenal place, it's not sand it's gypsum which is white and soft, and almost feels damp if you run your hands through it. The pictures look like we are on the moon. Way back in one of the photos you can see people on horse back.
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| this was on the road to White Sands - The Organ Mountains |
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| Dee at White Sands. |
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| Me at White Sands |
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| This is so Beautiful, I felt like we were on the moon. In the background to the left - were people on horseback. |
I have to confess some of our time together is hazy. I'll write what I remember most.
Someone had told me about a restaurant before I set out on the journey. He said, "Whatever you do go to La Posta restaurant." I am so glad we did. La Posta dates back to 1800s. It was originally a hotel called The Corn Exchange hotel. After the Civil War, Mesilla emerged as the commercial, transportation and
social center for the region. It attracted legends like Kit Carson and Pancho
Villa, promoters like Albert Fountain, and gunfighters Sheriff Pat Garrett and
outlaw Billy the Kid.  |
| The Entrance to La Posta |
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| Pat, Dee and Jim |
Mesilla lost its place in the sun in 1881, when the railroad bypassed the village in favor of nearby Las Cruces. Mesilla became the perfect place for a community of ghosts. We didn't see any, but it was fascinating to know that Billy the Kid spent time in the Court House jail right across the street.
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| This was a painting of the original Corn Exchange hotel. In the days of Billy the Kid. |
One evening Dee made Jambalaya from scratch. It was so good, it was the first time I'd had it, and I have to say the few times I've eaten since, no one else's has measured up.
Dee would give you the shirt off her back, and in my case the earrings out of her ears. She introduced me to the legendary Kokopelli, and when we were in a restaurant and I spotted her Kokopelli silver earrings. When I admired them she insisted I have them. I still treasure them.
When I left Dee to go on to Chandler, AZ. We decided we would get together again and meet in Tucson. We actually met there twice. I will write about that in my next blog that will be about my stay in Arizona. I can't believe I've not written about it before, after all it was my big retirement adventure.
