The Little Arroyo That Could

For those that have read this incredibly witty blog since its inception in 2006 (Thanks Mom), you may have noticed that I always make fun of New Mexico in almost every entry, and this one will not be any different. Watch out New Mexican education, arroyos, and green chili.

Deep in Thought

Both Nadine and I, along with Scuba Steve, decided that since the Pepper Family moved to New Mexico, we should give them a visit. Pepper claims this newest Mexico as his home state, but he could easily claim Texas too, since he did live in San Antonio for a couple of years where the rabid dogs roam free. For the rest of us, it would be an easy choice. For him, he just wants to be different . . . and dumb. And like any trendy hipster moving from Denver, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico, the only acceptable trendy place for him and his family to settle was Santa Fe. Thus, that is where we went to find the Peppers.

For every town or city that wants to attract to trendy folks, there is one major material that attracts the masses, adobe. Every home, office building, dog house, green salsa joint, mailbox was plastered with that wonderful mixture of clay, water, and manure. Just like the warm sun baking every square inch of adobe covering Santa Fe, our time in the adobefied Santa Fe was adobely laid back.

As winter drew near, the trees of Hyde Memorial State Park began the yearly process of changing colors, and the drive out was bordered by overabundance of yellow foliage. Our combined three kids ran around, played in the leaves, and chased each other. Fortunately one kid was covered with three layers of sunblock and a big ol’ cowgirl hat to protect them from the sun.

With Halloween approaching, the garage became our children’s painting studio. In addition to pumpkins, other large items served as a quality painting surface: ground, plastic sheets, and Pepper’s nose.

The Perfect Canvas – Pepper’s Nose

Santa Fe actually is a really nice place to visit. Not sure you could say the same for the rest of the state, but Santa Fe is definitely above the New Mexico appeal curve. Not really that hard to beat. The town has a beautiful downtown plaza, mountains overlooking everyone, an old church that serves donuts every Sunday morning, and some quality food. Yet there is one thing the entire state could hang its hat on. Santa Fe may be home to the best burrito in the world. The restaurant Bumblebees makes one of the meanest burritos I have ever eaten, and just like any Steven Seagal movie, it leaves you wanting even more.

Deep in Thought

That's Some Mighty Fine Foliage You Got There New Mexico

The Perfect Canvas - Pepper's Nose