<– Day 13 – Monday March 21st: Food Testers | Beginning | Day 15 – Wednesday March 23rd: Blizzards & Balloons –>

Me, Benita, and Scott at the Range Cafe in Albuquerque. Benita has been test reading the book. She’s read about a 1/3 of it so far and is really enjoying it!

Today we drove from Tularosa to Albuquerque (See yesterday’s post here, or look below today’s post). Along the way we didn’t do much sight-seeing, but the winds had picked up … a LOT! I had Ann drive while I worked. Part of the time she was driving into the wind causing the jeep (and the laptop on my knees) to rock. However, she did well and we were soon at the University of New Mexico.

A month ago I discovered that only the U of NM and Yale University had a fourteen page report that I hadn’t known existed, an important one that will help shape the one of the final chapter in the book. The document was stored at the campus’ business library among the general books. If I had a little less character, I would have walked out with it, especially because I doubt no one else on the planet appreciates its significance. Damn you Conscience!! Alas, I settled for photos of it.

Elihu Root was the Guggenheim’s legal counsel, while simultaneously pretending to be an independent arbiter of the fight between the Guggenheims and the Eilers. I knew he’d been quoted in the newspapers, but there was never any mention there of a physical report.

The stop was a quick one, which worked well for us, because our next appointment was jeep-related  A half hour later, we were in downtown Albuquerque meeting with Benita. She and her partner Scott own multiple FCs and are regulars at the FC Roundup. First she showed us their unique camper FC, one that was used for years at a mine. It’s got horns, a bell, and a hoist on the front. The back of the FC had camper shell made by an unknown builder, but it appears to be professionally made. A hole in the rear of the FC’s cab allowed access to the camper. They’ve pull off the camper shell and are restoring it.

The next FC she showed us was a cow painted one. It was used as a search and rescue jeep. Unfortunately, the person who owned it had died, so no seems to know for sure why it was painted as a cow. Continue reading →

<– Day 12 – Sunday March 20th: High Plains Drifters | Beginning | Day 14 – Tuesday March 22nd: Wind & Range –>

Enjoying an evening fire under the New Mexico stars.

On Sunday night we landed at the home of Ann’s aunt Cindy and uncle Fred (See yesterday’s post here). It marked the end of our trip, meaning we’d be heading home the rest of the way.

I shall avoid boring you with the details of sleeping in and lounging around until noon. Yes, it was good to be off the road for the day. I even found the time to get out the guitar and play some music for my wife. Then, we took a quick trip into Tularosa to pick up a new planter, because one we had bought two years ago broke a month ago. Of course, we had to get two ….

However, reality set in by mid-afternoon. I wanted to complete some eWillys, while Ann left with Fred and Cindy for a community service project (no, they weren’t in trouble for anything). They do a lot with the local community of Alamogordo. On this afternoon, they had volunteered to decorate a room at a senior center for a senior citizen prom. Accompanying the three of them were students from the local First Robotics team, which Fred and Cindy also mentor. Funded by a local bank, there was enough money to make the place look pretty nice.

As soon as they were done at the senior center, they picked me up, and we all went to downtown Tularosa where a restaurant is set to open soon. Called Grill 49 the place is a French Grill/Brew pub. Powering the kitchen menu is the former chef from Casa De Suenos, the most popular Mexican restaurant in the area. Their pork chops, a brine marinated, spicy, juicy treat is a favorite among regulars. I tried it yesterday evening at Casa De Suenos and it was delicious! Continue reading →