Is This Really Happening?

I feel like I am in a dream. This morning I went to the Farmer’s Market with a new friend. I bought a frog puppet and felt hand bag for my grandchildren and organic, herbal hand and foot creams for myself. We were going to take an African and Haitian dance class, but were too early, so I went home and got ready for the afternoon adventure with a different friend who loves to introduce people to her beloved New Mexico. I am trying to convince her to become a concierge or tour guide because she is so passionate and knowledgeable about the land.

I picked her up at her favorite local cafe where she showed me the desserts, and we were off. I made a mental note to go back there! Passing sprawling vistas of mountains and valleys, we stopped at an old railroad station on a dirt road and a saloon untouched from the 1800’s. My friend opened the gate that was wedged closed with bricks and we peeked through the windows.  I felt like I was on a movie set, but this was for real.

Checking out off-the-beaten track photo ops like a line of mailboxes against a scruffy valley and huge, angular cottonwood trees, we made our way to our destination…Tent Rocks, which are volcanic rock and ash towers formed six million years ago. We were too late to climb the trail through the formations, but I saw enough to know that I want to go back another time.

On my way home, I stopped into Harry’s Roadhouse, often mentioned on Diners and Dives, for salmon tacos and lemon meringue pie. My head was spinning. When I opened my front gate of turquoise distressed wood, walked through my little courtyard and entered the house with authentic beams and a kiva fireplace I felt like I was in a time warp. Is this really happening?

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