Across the plains....

Today was a long day, but full of great encounters with some truly friendly people and some amazing historical sites. First, I had breakfast in the town square of Snowflake, AZ, where I had spent the night and learned that it was founded by Polygamist Mormons a while ago.

Then it was on to New Mexico! I was unsure what to expect from NM as I had never been that far SW, but is a varying state and overall, it reminded me of Wyoming with a more Native American flair. I stopped in Gallup, NM for a coffee break and found The Coffee House in old town. I ended up meeting and talking for quite a while with Stephan, the barista, who was originally from Louisiana. He gave me lots of travelling tips and advice, where to go and eat and what to avoid and I ended up using some of his advice…so it was well worth the coffee stop.

Next up was the Continental Divide. While I was unabashedly taking picture like tourists, a French couple pulled up and parked. I took their picture and we started talking. They were originally from Quebec and touring the states. I know this sounds ignorant, but I had no idea that people in Quebec speak completely French, I had always been under the impression they spoke English with a French influence….like I said…I am ignorant. Anyways, they were incredibly nice and I got to teach them how to say Oregon properly: D

I stopped quickly in downtown Albuquerque; it reminds me a lot of Old Downtown San Diego. I stopped in the Candy Lady to get some fudge and other surprises and wander around the town square. I didn’t get any pictures, but there was a Native American group planning their traditional music and instruments that resounded around the square, so that lent a unique atmosphere.

On my way out of NM, I saw what looked like an old abandon town on the side of the hwy so I stopped at the only store/gas station/occupied house and ended up talking to the older gentleman who lives there. He said that Cuervo was a railroad town, and like so many, died quickly when the railroad passed on. Also it hasn’t rained there in THREE YEARS! Being a rain addict, I can’t even begin to imagine! I wander through the couple of streets that are left, it seems rather haunting to me. Museums are nice and all but are rather staged and orderly. These homes, church and school are abandoned dreams left on the side of the road to rot away, their memories dying with them. It is sad, but a good place for your imagination.

Finally I made it to Texas!

I did the completely tourist thing and stopped for supper at the Big Texan and it was SO GOOD! I was very hesitant to stop, because let’s face it; touristy things often don’t meet up to expectations. But the steak was amazing! The place was packed at 8pm on a Wednesday night. I ended up sitting next to a very nice couple from Georgia, who were very impressed that I was traveling alone and wanted to know why I didn’t have a boyfriend to take me out on a date. :D Below is a supper so you can all drool. :D

After supper I had one more stop, the huge cross on the side of the road. The cross once the largest in the world, has the Stations of the Cross around it, as well as a beautiful memorial to all holocaust of abortion.

It was a long day and a long post! But I had fun and am really feeling blessed to have this amazing opportunity to see our beautiful America!