Continuing lessons from the wind
Yesterday morning I decided to stop traveling for a day so that I could slow down enough to notice my current state of body and mind, figure out the logistics of where to stay after I get into Arizona, and rest a bit after an intense week-plus of traveling.
I was able to do a lot of preliminary research on places I might camp in Arizona on my way to meet my friend near Quartzsite, but mostly that meant ruling places out. Near the end of the day I did come up with an idea I liked quite a bit, but since yesterday was a government holiday, I couldn't call and get my questions answered.
Yesterday afternoon the weather service issued a wind advisory for this area. It never got very windy here in Las Cruces, but if I check the weather for each town along the route through New Mexico, the winds pick up to almost as high as those I encountered in Texas during the day today. I have no desire to repeat the wrestling match with the wind again, so I'm staying put another day before hitting the road.
That's just fine with me. Las Cruces is a picturesque place. The Organ Mountains are beautiful in a very unusual way. I took this photo from the parking lot where I went for lunch yesterday. They're named that because they are said to resemble the pipes in an organ. There are much better photos available online if you want to google Organ Mountains.
The city isn't big and intense like El Paso, but it is big enough to have plenty of restaurants and sights to see. Just driving around offers many visual treats. For example, the old town of Mesilla: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesilla,_New_Mexico and the water tank murals: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g47087-d5994044-Reviews-Las_Cruces_Water_Tank_Murals-Las_Cruces_New_Mexico.html
Back at the motel, after walking by it a few times, I noticed that the door to the room next to mine is boarded up and painted over. I spent the first day imagining possible explanations for this:
A plumbing disaster? Someone died in there and it's haunted? I didn't notice anything odd from inside my room, but I was curious. So I asked at the front desk this morning and learned that there had been a fire in there. When I asked how long ago, I got the vaguest possible answer, so I think I have all the information I'm going to get.
This morning I was able to make my phone calls about places to stay, so I have a plan now for getting all the way to my destination in Arizona. Tomorrow I will head out again, rested and relaxed. For the first time, I will be retracing the route I took when I drove East in 2013 -- Las Cruces is where I turned North on that journey.
My foot has been slowly getting better every day. Although from day-to-day the changes are too small to notice, it is considerably better than it was when I first hit the road. However, it still hurts to walk. Sometimes I limp as fast as I can, and sometimes I move slowly and intentionally, putting my foot through the full range of normal motion for walking. I'm still a ways from being able to just go out for a nice, long walk.
Oh yeah - and what are the continuing lessons from the wind? A little bit of patience, and a reminder to trust my gut and to afford myself the same flexibility that I would a friend.
I was able to do a lot of preliminary research on places I might camp in Arizona on my way to meet my friend near Quartzsite, but mostly that meant ruling places out. Near the end of the day I did come up with an idea I liked quite a bit, but since yesterday was a government holiday, I couldn't call and get my questions answered.
Yesterday afternoon the weather service issued a wind advisory for this area. It never got very windy here in Las Cruces, but if I check the weather for each town along the route through New Mexico, the winds pick up to almost as high as those I encountered in Texas during the day today. I have no desire to repeat the wrestling match with the wind again, so I'm staying put another day before hitting the road.
That's just fine with me. Las Cruces is a picturesque place. The Organ Mountains are beautiful in a very unusual way. I took this photo from the parking lot where I went for lunch yesterday. They're named that because they are said to resemble the pipes in an organ. There are much better photos available online if you want to google Organ Mountains.
The city isn't big and intense like El Paso, but it is big enough to have plenty of restaurants and sights to see. Just driving around offers many visual treats. For example, the old town of Mesilla: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesilla,_New_Mexico and the water tank murals: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g47087-d5994044-Reviews-Las_Cruces_Water_Tank_Murals-Las_Cruces_New_Mexico.html
Back at the motel, after walking by it a few times, I noticed that the door to the room next to mine is boarded up and painted over. I spent the first day imagining possible explanations for this:
A plumbing disaster? Someone died in there and it's haunted? I didn't notice anything odd from inside my room, but I was curious. So I asked at the front desk this morning and learned that there had been a fire in there. When I asked how long ago, I got the vaguest possible answer, so I think I have all the information I'm going to get.
This morning I was able to make my phone calls about places to stay, so I have a plan now for getting all the way to my destination in Arizona. Tomorrow I will head out again, rested and relaxed. For the first time, I will be retracing the route I took when I drove East in 2013 -- Las Cruces is where I turned North on that journey.
My foot has been slowly getting better every day. Although from day-to-day the changes are too small to notice, it is considerably better than it was when I first hit the road. However, it still hurts to walk. Sometimes I limp as fast as I can, and sometimes I move slowly and intentionally, putting my foot through the full range of normal motion for walking. I'm still a ways from being able to just go out for a nice, long walk.
Oh yeah - and what are the continuing lessons from the wind? A little bit of patience, and a reminder to trust my gut and to afford myself the same flexibility that I would a friend.
Good to hear your foot is getting better.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I just caught up with all your blog entries. Sounds like such an interesting trip so far. The mountains you show remind me of the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho except that the Sawtooths go on and on and on...amazing sight. You have missed all the snow excitement here in Tell City. School was out most of the week...M-Thursday for sure, not sure what they decided on Friday. The snow is starting to melt since the temps went up in the high 30s yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHave you camped in the van yet? I hope that goes well. Have a fantastic journey! Rebecca
I don't know why the previous comment doesn't have our name but in case you haven't figured it out, "it's (from) me, Earnest T!" (That's an Andy Griffith show reference in case you aren't familiar with Earnest T. Bass.) Take care, Rebecca Fenn. :-)
ReplyDelete