The Land of Enchantment

Well I am finally here in Taos.  Drive on Monday was the best of all.  As soon as I left North Texas the scenery changed into New Mexico and it was spectacular.  Most of the drive was breathtaking so I took my time and really enjoyed the view.  One of the highlights of yesterday was Route 66.   It was so cool to see some of the old motels like the Palomino Lodge and other old motels that are still in existence today.  All the rates were $21.95.  Except one was $22.95...so I guess that one was the Loews Miami Beach Hotel of Route 66.  There are many, though that are boarded up and abandoned.  Same for old diners and gas stations.  I went through the town where the Grapes of Wrath was filmed.  I stopped at the old Route 66 diner in Santa Rosa, NM for lunch.  It was awesome.  All original red vinyl booths and stools at the counter.  Had a grilled cheese sandwich.  Didn't dare try the fish sticks.  Anyway - the house in Taos is fantastic.  Great views - on both sides...Taos Mountain in the front and agricultural land in the back - with cattle grazing!!  

Well - I'm off in a bit for my first ever pottery lesson.  Should be interesting using the wheel.  

From Five Star to No Star....

Today was pretty uneventful. The Spa at The Mansion was wonderful.  Hit the road purposefully late -  no rush to get to the Holiday Inn on I-40 in Amarillo.  This is just a resting stop for tomorrow's journey on Route 66.  Originally, I was planning to go straight to Santa Fe and stay there tonight  - hope Route 66 is worth it ...because this is definitely roughing it.  The ride today was easy - very rural through North Texas. Nothing too remarkable except it is really strange that your driving on a highway going 75 miles an hour and then all of a sudden - your in the middle of a little town.  It's almost like I-95 all of a sudden going through a neighborhood. Then the highway starts again.  Anyway - I arrived at the HI and of course, immediately accepted the Front Desk Agent/BellMan/PBX Operator's (talk about combining job duties) offer for a small fee to be upgraded to "pool view" instead of parking lot view.  (I'm still not sure why I cared..I guess it's habit)  Anyway - I lugged my stuff up to the second floor - entered a dark little hotel room, I opened my drapes and I see a view of the world's ugliest lobby.  So much for pool view.  Now I am off to the hotel restaurant for dinner - where I'm sure I'll have a choice of country fried steak, fried clam roll - or maybe even some fried chicken livers.  I decided I'm taking 3 Tylenol PM's at dinner - to knock myself out - and I'm hitting the road at sunrise.  Tomorrow - The Cadillac Ranch on Route 66 and then finally - Taos. 

Breakfast in The Big Easy - Dinner in The Big D.

Today started off on a great note.  Had breakfast with Flo Marcello and Kim Talluto, Gina's Mom and sister.  We had a great time catching up.  I went to Gina's grave yesterday - it was so nice and peaceful.  At first I had anxiety since I had not been there since her burial in March 2006.  But then it was nice.  She is buried in a perfect resting place.  A traditional New Orleans cemetery with above ground tombs.  In front of her tomb is a beautiful grassy area.  Before I left, I decided to walk around all the tombs surrounding her - to see what kind of people fate put around her.  She is buried near a Brigadier General, a US Magistrate Judge, some infants from the 1900's up to the 1960's, and most of all -  many heroes from WWII and a few from the Vietnam War.  I could not think of better people to be around her.  In true Gina fashion though - right around the corner is Ruth Chris - in her $1 million tomb with her best friend next to her in another $1 million tomb that Ruth bought for her.  Gina was always in the best of company!

 Tomorrow - a spa day at Mansion at Turtle Creek (who says I have to suffer?) and then off to Amarillo for a great nights sleep and the historic Route 66.  

Five Lessons of Life on the Road

Just rolled into New Orleans.  It was a really easy drive from Mobile.  Passed through Mississippi.  I have learned several road lessons on this trip so far:

1) My navigation system doesn't know the difference between a good neighborhood and a "not so nice" neighborhood.  Saw some of Mobile's finest this morning on my way out of town.  Thank goodness I'm driving a low key, humble looking car so I didn't look so out of place..  :)

2) Make sure that you pay attention to the gas gauge.  That's critical.  Close call for sure.

3) There is an entire cottage industry of Adult SuperStore Sex Toy Shops on some of America's finest highways.  Who the heck are their customers?  Maybe that is why there are so many roadside Inns.

4) Don't get sandwiched between two 18 Wheelers going 85 miles an hour.  It causes great anxiety for you and becomes a sick twisted game for them! 

Now off to the French Quarter to The Bottom of the Tea Cup.  Last time I was there was 1994.  

Sweet Home Alabama isn't as sweet as I thought

The drive from Orlando to Mobile was great.  It was easy, great scenery and very smooth roads. Kicked back, listened to great music and had a nice day.  I arrived at the Berney Bed & Breakfast earlier than I thought...and was anxiously awaiting to check into the Presidential Suite.  Well - I thought it had the word Presidential in it - when I read the description on the website but I have to admit - I did scan it and didn't read all the details.  I of course, was immediately hooked when I saw the words Presidential, poolside bungalow....need I say more?  I immediately went to the book me icon and reserved it.  Well you can see from the photo that Presidential it's not, bungalow it's not - but YES - it is near the pool.  The cloudy pool that does not look like it has been cleaned in a really really long time.  I think it is more like a converted garage....but the neighborhood is nice and there are some really nice looking Victorian B & B's that I could stay in next time...since I know I will be in Mobile again (YEAH right).  Well what can you expect for $112 incl. breakfast...oh well - it's all fun and part of the story. 

Well, things didn't start out as smooth as I would like...

Finally just made it to Loews Portofino.  Much later than I expected.  Everything started off fine...got my nails done and decided, what the heck, I'm not in a rush - I'll get a pedicure too and then hit the road.  Well - somehow between the salon and my car (which is a grand total of about 15 steps) I lost my car keys.  Yes, as dumb as that sounds.  I could not find them, ripped my car apart, pulled everything out of the trunk - no keys.  After 20 minutes and some anxiety, I finally had call Mario - as he has the extra key.  That was the last call I wanted to make - I wasn't five miles from home - he already was worried about me going on this trip and I hadn't even made it to I-95 yet!! Anyway - as I was on the phone I found them.  Off I went - one last stop at Fresh Market on Biscayne Blvd for fruit - and to my horror I realized I could not find my trip files, with my maps, confirmations, house information - basically my life for the next 3 weeks.  I ripped everything apart again and AGAIN had to call Mario who found the files in my closet.  He drove over to Fresh Market with them.  As I waited in my car for him, I fired up my laptop and signed up, right then -  for the Premium Level Super Duper AAA Roadside Assistance Membership.  I figured if I am having this kind of trouble getting out of Miami - what will happen if I get a flat tire on Route 66?  Anyway - Alabama - here I come!!!

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go.....

Okay - I'm all set. Everything is packed. I am traveling amazingly light. Well - light for me.

So - I have about five important things to do at work tomorrow...and then I have a 6:00 pm nail appointment (gotta keep my priorities..who knows if there is a nail place in Taos) and I will hit the road at 7:00 pm tomorrow night.

I decided tonight that I am calling an audible - and driving back an entirely different way - and stopping in Louisville KY to see my brother and his girlfriend. I also decided that I might take the hisotrical Route 66 for part of my trip. More to follow on this.

Revision #1 to The Itinerary - Amarillo Texas here I come

Okay - well I decided that it will be too aggressive to drive from Dallas to Santa Fe on Sunday. And I really want to enjoy Mansion on Turtle Creek. So I now revised my schedule today to spend Sunday night in Amarillo, Texas. At the Holiday Inn no less. I think that seemed to be the nicest hotel in Amarillo. Hmm...outta be very interesting.

Stay tuned for the pics - as proof.

Mastering the To Do List

Today I finished packing for the trip. I did a major swing through Neiman's and Saks to see if there was anything I needed for the trip. Okay - that made me realize I still have some work to do...but anyways...they were having major sales.

I crossed off almost all my stuff on the to do list. Just have to get my books on tape from Sarah, my 8 and 15 pound weights from Target, because I swear I am working on my neglected arms on this trip.

I was a little worried because a friend from Taos called me to say that they went by the house I rented and there were huge pot holes in the dirt road (what DIRT ROAD???) going to the house. And they were worried about my car being so low to the ground. Yikes, I called the rental agent who had the owner call me from Guyana (she is in the Peace Corps..where am I going for god's sake...???) who assured me she was there two weeks ago and I should do fine on the road. Oh well - I will know on Monday when I arrive.

So work on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - then I hit the road.