Under a Red Roof

Spring 2018 Road Trip: South to Texas

April 16, 2018 in Eating, Traveling by Colleen | Permalink

Got up and out before the sun to get a jump on this year’s road trip south to Texas! We stopped at my favorite Las Vegas and filled ourselves with happy at Charlie’s Spic and Span. The breakfast burrito for the hubster and stuffed sopapilla (Stuffy) for me. Egads, peeps, they know how to do breakfast RIGHT.

We spent our first night in Roswell and made ourselves comfortable with a little Fixer Upper and a tour of buildings past. Just in case you were wondering, there was no contact with extra-terrestrials. Sad face.

Side tracked in Carlsbad…

Cloud wave

Guadalupe Peak – the highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet.

This used to be ocean…

Favorite Traveling Companions

Wind blown ear tips, so cute!

Van Horn

Marfa, our first destination in Texas. One old association, James Dean, on whom I had a very serious high school crush and bedroom walls plastered with his image. He filmed Giant, along with Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson, on a nearby ranch, waaay back in the day. One new association, about which I have read countless times, the Prada Marfa art installation by Elmgreen and Dragset.

I made my dress and like the crooked reflection of my legs in the plexiglass. If you look carefully, you can see the hubster patiently waiting for me to get the shot. The man is a gem of gems.

Drone, scanning the landscape for interlopers. Marfa is some sixty miles from the border, yet, according to the Patrolman we met on our travels, still sees a fairly steady number of migrants. I have mixed feelings about this. Of course, I would love for everyone to arrive via the proper channels, but one of my own kin arrived illegally via a barrel hidden on a steamship, desperate for a better life. It makes it harder to find fault.

More Marfa tomorrow!

Santa Fe

February 13, 2018 in Traveling by Colleen | Permalink

In celebration of the twenty-seven magical years since our first date (!!!) as well as the first road trip we ever took together, we spent the weekend in Santa Fe. Our first stop, of course, was La Choza, and then a stroll up the tracks to the Railyard on a sleepy Friday afternoon.

How’s that for a mural?!

First ever mansard roof sighting in Santa Fe. Fancy!

Hummingbird – which reminds me of one of my favorite books, The Hummingbird’s Daughter, which I first saw in Santa Fe.

A picture of a thousand words if ever there was.

Sweet nappers…

Juniper Beulah, tin roof style.

Enjoyed our anniversary dinner at La Boca – the grilled arugula salad one magical mess o’ lettuces, New Mexico grown pistachios, fennel, and golden raisins. The jamon iberico and Cava weren’t too shabby, either.

Not pictured, but most worthy of note, our dear friends Michael and Mary were in town (YAY!) and we met for a wildly wonderful lunch at Loyal Hound. Mac and Cheese with green chile and fried chicken and waffles the height of yumminess.

Also, I would be seriously remiss if I didn’t encourage the devouring of a carne adovada burrito at Tecolote. If they ask, get the bakery basket – you’ll overload on carbs, but will enjoy every morsel.

We never tire of adobe.

The Plaza, cheerfully lit.

First Presbyterian Church, 150 years old and ever so lovely.

Back at the Railyard for the hullaballoo of the Farmer’s and Winter markets. We enjoyed all manner of goodness (chiles, tarts, tortillas, jerkys, jams!) and friendly vibes.

Apropos…

Love this sky…

and this fabulous neon Zia. Eeek!

Sunday morning, we awoke to much, much needed snow, the whole of Santa Fe, and our route homeward beautifully blanketed.

The Treasures:

Turquoise Zia t-shirt from Marcy Street Cards + positively intoxicating sweet sage bundle from a kindly street vendor + Heidi’s Raspberry Red Chile Ginger jam + Santa Fe Spirits Atapino – a sip of the scent of New Mexico + pinon plantwater purchased at the fabulous Red River Mercantile + Casa Blanca Red Chile beef jerky – for lovers of dry, not at all sweet jerky, like me! + Zia pinon kola – the best kola EVER and an even better mission + An exquisitely crafted brooch bought at the Winter Market + Deeelicious chile powder, smoky and mild + Coyote America from my favorite Santa Fe book shop, Collected Works + Look closely, a tiny Raven (my spirit animal!) fetish from Keshi, carved by Calvert Bowannie + Beautiful woven table mat from the Five & Dime on the Plaza. Oh, Santa Fe, your fine purveyors and makers, my heart overflows…

Tags: New Mexico

Intrepid

June 24, 2017 in Loving, Traveling by Colleen | Permalink

Say hello to our intrepid traveler! She was sooo very good, everywhere we went – restaurants, wine tastings, parks, book stores, hotels and homes, jaunts high and low. Juniper Beulah, our world champion of sweet adorableness, making friends and melting hearts. Good girl!

Tags: Juniper Beulah, Traveling

Summer Road Trip 2017: California III

June 23, 2017 in Traveling by Colleen | Permalink

Unfortunately, I was not quick enough on the draw to capture Juniper spinning with glee. It was adorable to witness her utter delight at seeing the ocean, which is amusing because our girl does not like water!

Ventura

Olivas Adobe

The world’s oldest still flowering fuscia – planted in 1899. It was enormous!

The Dire Straits fan in me squealed with delight upon seeing the Telegraph Road sign!

Jacaranda before…

and jacaranda after. Both are equally beautiful to my eye.

Rose Valley Falls – Los Padres National Forest

Another hairless squirrel to ogle and taunt…

Tip-top lunch and sweet service at Azu, with beer flavored with Pixie dust and peel from the famous Ojai Valley tangerines (which we saw growing!) and a very fine Alisal rose. Delicious. What you can’t see? Sweet Juniper Beulah sleeping at the hubster’s feet. Good dog!