When I was a kid, travel was a rare luxury. Farmers can’t just check their horses and chickens into a kennel. Finding people to cow sit is a challenge. Plus, my mom took care of her mother and then her father over many years. Getting away wasn’t really an option. As an adult, I still had horses and cats. Then it was my turn to take care of my parents. I could count on one hand the number of honest-to-goodness vacation trips I took prior to 2013.
That’s when Hubby and I went on what I expected to be a once-in-a-lifetime dream trip to the Wild West.
(Here I am on horseback in the Garden of the Gods during my first trip out west in 2013)
Not long afterward, I signed my first book contract and suddenly I had a really good excuse to attend conferences. I’ve been to Raleigh, Bethesda, New Orleans, Nashville, Green Bay, and Long Beach as well as five more “once-in-a-lifetime” trips out West.
I’ve discovered I love to travel! Yes, the airlines often leave much to be desired, but I’ll tolerate the discomfort and hassles in order to go someplace fun.
Earlier this month, I made my now-annual pilgrimage to New Mexico. It’s become my second home. My best friend lives in Aztec and provides me with my own bedroom, bathroom, and office in which to write. If you’ve read No Way Home, you now understand why I chose that setting. Research! AKA Tax Write-Off.
This trip was a nice mix of vacation and work. I’m an early riser anyway, and combined with the time difference, I woke up well before my hostess and quietly slipped into “my office” to pound out pages on the next book. In the afternoons, while sitting in the air-conditioned comfort of her living room, my friend (and co-conspirator…I mean co-writer) and I outlined a new short story set out there.
That’s not to say we were all work and no play. We took a little road trip to the Four Corners Monument.
(My best friend Leta Burns at the 4 Corners Monument)
Prior to this trip, I’d only set foot in Arizona to change planes in Phoenix. And I’d never been in Utah. I’m not sure walking around the monument truly counts, but I’m going with it. Four states in one little stroll.
We also stopped at a number of pawn shops and trading posts along the way. It truly is a different world out there on the Navajo Rez.
Another stop we make every year is the town of Durango, Colorado where we have lunch at the Diamond Belle in the haunted Strater Hotel.
I’ve not seen any ghosts but the atmosphere—and the food—is amazing.
You may have heard of Durango. It’s been in the news lately due to the wildfire north of the town. I’ve been out there during fire season numerous times, but this was the first time we witnessed the smoke on this level. My heart goes out to the people and business affected by the “416” (and other) wildfires.
(That's smoke, not clouds, in the distance)
Getting back to the food. Green chiles are my favorite. I have yet to find a good chile relleno here in the east. REAL ones are made with green chiles (not poblanos), a pepper grown mostly in Hatch, New Mexico. My first stop after getting off the plane is Rubia’s for rellenos.
It’s also one of my last stops before heading home.
I’m back home on the farm in Pennsylvania now and am already dreaming of my next trip. Alas, I’m homebound for the next few months. It’s not the chickens, horses, and cows keeping me tied down anymore. Now, it’s my next book deadline.
So, are you an eager traveler or a homebody?
