Santa Fe - The name finally clicks

New Mexico

Did you know that there is a "World Capital of Chile"? Neither did I, but now we know!

Somewhere in the north of New Mexico I found out where the rain flow splits. One side flows down into the Rio Grande and on the other side of the road it goes into the Colorado River. The nerd in me is loving this little factoid!

At the town named "Coyote" they have a mural of the coyote and the road runner cartoon characters. I slowed down to check it out and from the corner of my eye I saw a real life road runner crossing the road!! My TV geek loved that too!

Travel Epiphany No. 1001 - "Santa Fe" New Mexico, means "Santa Fe"

When they named the town "Santa Fe" they really mean it. I always wanted to visit. Now that I had the opportunity to experience it, I can "feel" the presence of the "Santa Fe" all around the town. Not just in the stone structures, it is in the air. I am not talking strictly about the Catholic faith. I am talking about a feeling. It is an energy - sacred - palpable - there, before the missionaries changed it's name. A friend from California tried to explained to me, but I had to experience it for myself.

THEN I stumble into another one of my Wander List Items. The funny thing is that I had totally forgotten that the miracle stairway was in Santa Fe. It wasn't until I was at the tourist information office that they lady showed me in the map! I was so excited to go and see it! First time I heard about it was in "Unsolved Mysteries" --- Kept hearing the theme in my head as I walked around the chapel!

Then I made a new friend!!! And she told me about the Sanctuary of Chimayo where they have a chapel named in honor of "El Senor de Esquipulas" from Guatemala! So I HAD to go! I was able to attend Thanksgiving services here!

Then on Thanksgiving evening I wandered around Santa Fe and enjoyed having the downtown area to myself! :)

Today is day 59!! I am starting to wind down... on my way back East I am hoping to visit Austin Texas, New Orleans and Savanna.

I am looking forward to visiting some friends in the Mid-Atlantic area and looking forward to sharing my pictures and stories with my nieces and nephews!

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"Best ... bartender from Timbuktu to Portland, Maine - or Portland, Oregon...” -Jack Torrance

My own westward expansion is accomplished! Portland to Portland! All 4000K miles of the journey! DONE! "… You were always the best of 'em. Best ... bartender from Timbuktu to Portland, Maine - or Portland, Oregon for that matter.” -Jack Torrance, in The Shining. T he exterior of the 'Overlook Hotel' is the Timberline Lodge , Mount Hood in the Hood River area of Northern Oregon. One of my "Wander List" Items that I am proud to check off is coming to Portland Oregon. The idea of all those explorers making it “out west” and crossing the vastness of the continent to “see what is out there” has always been appealing. Perhaps because I am the child of immigrants. I am an immigrant. The image of all those people taking the chance and picking up all that they could to make it “all the way” to Portland… Leaving everything behind and carving a life in a new place. I identify with all of that… the sense of adventure, the search for something...

Links

Shortcuts! Here are shortcuts to the posts by the park or city: September 29: Sleepy Hallow New York , Tapan Zee Bridge. October 1: Maine Visited a dear friend and enjoy a trip to the lake! October 2: More of New England and Hyde Park in New York October 4: Letchworth State Park in New York the "Grand Canyon for the East" October 7: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota - Driving fast so I had to skip a lot but it was a nice drive October 9: South Dakota, Black Hills, Wyoming Dead presidents, Alien Ships rest areas and SNOW! October 10,12 and 13: Yellowstone! , Yellowstone , and one more Yellowstone October 14: Arches National Park in Utah - Beauty beyond compare October 16: Portland to Portland ! From Portland Maine to Portland Oregon in one piece! mostly. October 19: Oregon, Crater Lake and I learned about "trail magic" October 21: Lava Fields, Redwoods and ma...

Virginia Beach- Being a tourist in your own backyard

Visiting my own back yard! I am also going to try to visit Shenandoah to complete the loop. Visited a friend in Virginia Beach and she was kind to drive me around and making sure I visited Mount Trashmore to complete my experience.

Small Steps.. Moving Forward... Relentlessly Reaching Out for your Goals

Every day I try to take little steps towards prepping me for the road trip. Small completed tasks become completed projects. The belongings are packed and in storage bins. I am happy to report that most of the clutter was donated, re gifted, etc. There will be more decluttering when I come back in January. The more "stuff" I hold on to, the more anchored I feel. Less stuff less worry! On the prepping front, I have now invested in "Reflectix" material to create heat reflectors for the car windows and privacy during nap times. I used liquid fabric glue and fabric from the $ Store and created these!! My home economics teacher must be spinning in her grave - I didn't use any measuring tools or templates... just eyeballs and a sharpy. In the food supply area, I am going to "try" on keeping it "low carb". I found out that Costco has a sale on "premier protein" shakes - so I am hoardi...

Whatever the mind of [wom]man can conceive and believe, it can achieve - Napoleon Hill

So, now what? What do you do when your world gets turned upside down? You look for the tequila bottle and put those lemons to good use. I have unexpectedly been giving time off to wander, so wander I will. Starting September 27, 2018 I am going to jump in my car and drive in a big loop around the USA. I am starting in the Mid-Atlantic area and then head up to Maine. From Maine I start my westward expansion towards Oregon. I know October is already winter up in the north. I am going to be smart about it and stick to lower passes. Even if that means I'll end up driving longer. I also know that I've never gone camping voluntarily. I do know that the road is long and dangerous, and yet it beckons. I know I am going to get lost, a lot. I think I have some gypsy genes floating around in my DNA (some day I'll take the test, but I am afraid it will be 0% and there goes the myth). I also know that if I don't do this now, I will regret it latter. I...

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