Remember this guy? So I now know what happened to him...You know that fun time when you're talking politics with your dad and he happens to mention a particular state senator that he DOES NOT agree with AT ALL and is the worst thing ever and then he says a name and you immediately google? Yeah. So Mr. When I'm With You is now a state senator. Hee!
On our way from Santa Fe, we decided to head to Moab via Durango. I've never been to Durango and I tend to get...um...grouchy on a car trip when I can't measure time in my head. About Aztec, all hope was lost. It was ugly and awful and I thought the never ending scenery was going to consume my soul. Oooooooooh. Aztec. Not pretty. And then 20 miles later Durango came into view. Oh. Gorgeous. Wish you were here. So. My question is this. Why would people live in Aztec when they could go 20 miles north and live in Durango?
In the fall, you can smell chili roasting. It's one of the greatest smells. We stopped at this roadside store in Hatch, NM (where most of the roasting takes place!) and the place was littered with seeds and chili and the smell was overwhelming. It may have cleaned my sinuses for years to come. And I remarked how much my mother-in-law would have hated it!
I saw this outside Trader Joe's in Santa Fe. I was sorry I wasn't going to be around for it... I kid!
We also spent time studying my parent's clothesline. My dad did a great job building it and I'm dreaming of having a similar one someday. Eeeeee!
And then. Utah County hell came into view. And the snow. Oh...the snow. Clearly. We were home. At least the wind farm is a lovely view...
So. Next vacation. Can you smell Oregon? Because I totally can...the countdown starts - NOW.
Sammy loved my parent's house. He had a grand time in the back yard. We kept trying to get him to play, but more often than not, he would be found doing this: Pulling weeds. Silly kid.
Although he DID find a love of kickball. Even when his ball popped on a rosebush. We also found out that when Grandma and Grandpa give you a replacement ball, it's most likely best not to store it in the window of a car on a warm day. All day. Or, you know, this may happen... Sammy thought life at Grandma's was bliss, though. A week of relaxing and meals outside and swinging and roping Grandpa into playing outside. He's set!
But by far, Sammy's two favorite vacation activities? Finally being able to wash the car windows: And finding all of the license plates on his board. We did surprisingly well! Thanks Jeep week in Moab...
We didn't do a TON of shopping on vacation, but we still did our fair share. And we CERTAINLY didn't skimp on the food. My colon my never be the same!
It all started in Gallup, NM. It was lunch time and the last real town before we got to my parents, 4ish hours away. So I saw my opportunity and took it! That's right, baby. Lotaburger. I have far TOO many happy childhood memories of Lotaburger. And just standing there ordering an Itsaburger with cheese? I nearly choked up. And it did not disappoint. So good! All I was missing was a cherry sprite.
Most of the other food came via my mom. And, oh. There was food. Bacon and biscuits and gravy and meatballs and everything else under the sun. Not to mention coming home with jars of pickles and jam. Because the best shopping comes in the form of pantry shopping at Mom's!
My brother and his fiance, whom I adore, came to stay the night before we left. My dad took us all out to dinner. While munching on the most perfect tacos, I witnessed my husband down a New Mexico style egg enchilada and a couple of sopapillas, the size of our heads. It was something to behold, I tell you! Yada yada...we're having light dinners this week!
We spent a day walking around my hometown. We stopped in one shop and found my 3rd grade teacher and Sammy found a stuffed cat, whom he loved. I convinced him to wait until we went to the next store - the "must have" shop (that's where the fudge is, yo!) and see if he could find one he loved more, first, and if not, we'd come back. As we were picking our fudge, the owner kept getting nervous there was a child in the store (seriously...why have a kid friendly shop if you are so crusty toward kids?!) and Sammy couldn't find one he LOVED. So we went and bought fat cat: aka Roly. He's so fat. And on the way to the fudge shop to gather my dad and Isaac, Sammy found another cat he loved. I'm not ashamed to say he also got that one on the way out of town. He's small and has the body of a stuffed dog and many jokes abound. His name is Poly. Of course.
On the way home, we stayed a night in Santa Fe, which, honestly, is the town that saw most of our money. It all started, though, in Albuquerque. We found Trader Joe's. You all KNOW of my love of TJ's...And it was perfect. I found so many things, including the best reusable bags and salads for dinner. And coconut oil! I bought 3 jars. Why, you ask? Because the more I read about it, the more I think it's going to rival vinegar in this house for best.thing.ever. First up? Deodorant. Can you HEAR the excitement in my type? No? You should. Because I'm excited.
Since we spent an hour in Albuquerque at Trader Joe's, we OF COURSE passed another Trader Joe's in Santa Fe on the way to our hotel. That's ok. We hit that one up, too! Did I mention there's a nasty rumor we'll have our very own TJ's this fall? Sniff. I'm hoping it's true! When we got to our hotel, I realized we had a credit for the hotel restaurant. So we ordered up room service to go with our salads. The crowning glory? This. Green Chili Chowder with a tortilla side. We were both weeping with happiness.
The next morning we walked around Santa Fe, in and out of shops, as it snowed at home.
We both bought our now traditional "new wedding band from vacation". Well, in Isaac's case, there may have been two. I'm simply loving this tradition we've started!
But, BY FAR, the best thing I bought on vacation is this, at my favorite shop at home. Isn't she beautiful? I'm simply in love. I saw her first, my arms loaded with fun prairie skirts. But then I saw the price tag and walked away. I found a smaller version on a table and showed her to Isaac. She was $80, but I loved her and decided to get it. As I was wandering a bit more with my mom, Isaac came over and said if I was going to get one, why didn't I just get the first one I looked at, the bigger one, since it was cheaper? I assured him it wasn't, that the tag said $145. He brought it over. Marked down to $65 for "flaw" on front. Yeah. I'm ok with that...we all have flaws! And it adds character! The cashier even seemed surprised at the discount and congratulated me on such a steal. She's nearly three feet tall and holds votives on the back and behind the bird. She is stunning and I'm so happy we found her!
For spring break, we decided on a driving tour of New Mexico, spending time at my mom and dad's. It was a little crazy and we packed a lot in. So I have decided to retell the tale in categories instead of chronologically. Settle in with popcorn and let the vacation slides, I mean, uh...BEGIN!
We determined this vacation could be summed up as the vacation of rocks. It started shortly after hotel check-in number one on the day we departed. We stayed that first night in Moab, UT and decided to drive out to Hole N' The Rock. We made it in by the skin of our teeth and took the tour. Cheesy? Perhaps. But Sammy loved it. AND I was completely validated when I found a replica of a purse I had from there as a child. Yay! We were, however, bummed that they had already closed the gift shop down for the day. Sammy, Moab, ready for a LONG day 2!
To continue the rock theme, we decided to hike up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Which is not far from my home town. Technically. It's something like 45 miles, but it took us a couple of hours. Because the road is terrible. And scary. And makes one whom has never been carsick in their life suddenly wishing for death. So I hear...After I bailed from my parent's Explorer and regained equilibrium, I realized that being in the back between Sammy's car seat and my dad left me a little claustrophobic and that lead to the illness. Not fun. But then, the trek up the mountain was the best cure to kick the rest of it. (We bought Sammy a yucca walking stick which he took VERY seriously...he lead the entire time up and back down!) The scenery was incredible and the dwellings amazing. I'd totally forgotten about being sick and was just glad we took the time to go! (Sammy the leader)
On our way home, we stopped at a place we had MANY field trips in school: The City of Rocks. Awesome, right?
The day we went home, we stayed in Moab, again. We got up early and decided to drive through Arches. It was COLD. But so very beautiful. Cold and beautiful. I'm thinking April in Moab is better than say...August?
Sammy, continuing our theme, chose a rock from the side of the road and some lovely crystals as a souvenir for our trip!
