On the Road Again - Saturday 11/22/2008

But not so far this time. Just down to Orange County, where we booked a room at the Holiday Inn, Laguna Hills for the night. Hydra's Michigan cousins are in town, and we're getting together tomorrow for our first-ever voyage to Catalina Island.

I'm not sure whether this hand towel elephant is sweet or just a little creepy. I shifted him to the couch in the room without pulling him apart.

I made a pineapple upside down cake to contribute to dinner, using a combination of recipes and advice from Kitty. I think it was the best ever. Though it's not as pretty, it's better to use crushed pineapple than rings. More flavor and easier to cook.

I thought I took a photo of the cake, but I guess not!

Destined for Stardom? - Thursday 11/20/2008

These guys were filming outside Papoo's Hot Dog Show when I drove past them on my way home. I actually circled the block to go back and get this shot.

I think the one guy is a waiter and the other guy is going to don the French fry costume.

There was only one other guy on this shoot. He grinned when he saw me taking the photo. Wish I'd been able to include him. (He's to the left.)



Apparently, it takes a lot of prep to play French fries.

He should maybe come down to the acting studio that took up residence next to my office and try the Meisner Method. I think hollering "My carton is red!" at a fellow actor for fifteen minutes would help him.

Miss Smarty Returns - Wednesday 11/19/2008

As much as I adore traveling, I'm actually kind of happy to be back at my desk. Probably because I work very independently and I'm well suited to my job. I like setting my priorities for the day after I check my e-mail, even though I know new things will arrive during the day that will knock them askew.

When I'm at work I do, indeed, feel like Miss Smarty. (Thanks to OneL for the gift of the mug, some years ago.)

Adios, ABQ

Albuquerque's plaza, which is at lower elevation, was not as far into fall, so there were still leaves on the trees.
I was impressed with the terra cotta and turquoise freeway ramps.



Some interesting graffiti on the freight train next to my Amtrak car. It was a great trip. It was really amazing spending time with Diver again. In most ways, we fell right back into our old, important friendship like no time had passed at all.

What else did I learn from this trip? After weeks and weeks of relying upon spell checker, I now know how to spell Albuquerque.

Ancient Party Rat!

Later that day, we visited Petroglyph National Monument. That's a pack of Cub Scouts going up the hill ahead of us.


Lots of people have been interpreting these petroglyphs for a lot of years. But you tell me... does this look like a rat with a maraca or what?


An excited cat.


An excited pregnant woman.


Not everyone was excited. This bird, for instance, seems calm. They call it a Macaw, but the interpretive sign was pretty faded so I'm not sure why.


Sundry makes a glyph with her hand.

Ha, ha.

Funny Sundry.

Sandia Peak - Albuquerque

We bid Santa Fe a fond farewell early Sunday morning and drove back to Albuquerque. First stop, the Sandia Peak Tram. You go up 2.7 miles and about 4,000 feet in about 20 minutes. That's Albuquerque in the background.



Part of the trail at the top.



Diver on the trail.


We spent about an hour at the top. This is the view back toward Santa Fe and Taos. You can also see Los Alamos from here.

I wonder if it glows in the dark?



Our chariot arrives. Pretty cool trip. I'd like to come back and talk Hydra into tramming it up and hiking it down. (Trust me, he'd rather hike than ride at these heights.)