Archive for March 2010
a study of contrasts
For such a cheery, balmy, pastel time of year, this certainly was a black and white weekend. Events unfolded in two modes and two modes only: fantastic, and jab-your-eyes-out awful. I met my friend D down in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, a lovely place that was at the absolute peak of springtime flower bloomination. Throughout…
Read MoreSt. Patrick’s Day, 2001
Danny P and I had just started a whirlwind European tour, and had the day off in Brussels. Someone had mentioned a do-not-miss open air flea market, so we hit the streets, armed with only our best high school French. We stop a likely-looking lady. Becky: Pardonez-moi, ou est.. Danny: Um, ou est le marché?…
Read Morei didn’t mean to hurt you
My weekend was not quite what I expected it to be. One would think that Friday would’ve set the tone — it was the reception for my quilt show! My friends were there! It was awesome! Alas. Saturday was an epic misadventure that, among other things, brought me into the city of Oxnard four different…
Read MoreDay 9: Barstow to Los Angeles, CA
It was only two(ish) sad hours before we got back to where we started — my “favorite” little burg of Los Angeles. We ate our last beige meal (at IHOP — jeez, Barstow, for being a hub for Route 66 history, you could have a few more kitschy eating places.) We reluctantly got into our…
Read MoreDay 8: Holbrook, AZ to Barstow, CA
[Holbrook to Barstow? That’s almost 450 miles! I’ll get to that in a minute.] Must be in the Southwest: Moisturizing conditioner: check. Navajo squash blossom necklace: check. Cactus identification guide: check. Purse containing hot and urgent tourist dollars: check. All on a Kokopelli coverlet: check. After I rose from a dead person’s sleep caused by…
Read MoreDay 7: Santa Fe, NM to Holbrook, AZ
We were off and running at an admirable hour this morning, grateful (for once) that we didn’t overindulge last night by honkytonking our way around the town, cowgirl-style. Without any fanfare we found ourselves in another winter wonderland as we wended our way up Route 25. After overshooting our destination a little (due to SOMEONE…
Read MoreDay 6: Albuquerque to Santa Fe, NM
What a difference a day makes. A fine sleep Chez Haycox, dicking around before getting on the road … I was back to capacity and ready to rock Santa Fe! But first: the Frontier Restaurant. Don’t be fooled by their cafeteria-like vibe; the hash browns were the best Molly and I ever ate. Mark this…
Read MoreDay 5: Las Cruces to Albuquerque, NM
So here’s our motel in which we stayed in Las Cruces last night. We were excited, it being adjacent to the Pancake Alley and all — like it was a sign. It was also the cleanest and quietest place we’ve stayed in yet. However, this morning, on our way out of town, I looked at…
Read MoreDay 4: Phoenix, AZ to Las Cruces, NM
Epic day. Thanks to Molly for doing all the driving, which was hundreds of miles’ worth. We had a time crunch this leg of the journey, and could not spend very much time in Phoenix before hitting the road. I forced M to stop by my old neighborhood. From age 4 to age 13, I…
Read MoreDay 3: Flagstaff to Phoenix, AZ
Ach Mein Gott, bringing a hot pot (thanks, Shana and Dave!), coffee preparation devices, and a pound of Peet’s coffee really starts the day in a correct fashion whilst on the road. We may be bourgeois idiots, but Molly and I just can’t believe the vast sea of mediocre coffee out there. Sadly, all the…
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