This post is significantly delayed, and even though it has only been 6 days since I was in Antigua, i'v gone through quite a few motions.
Returning to New Mexico: I left antigua after boarding a 3:45 am shuttle which bounced around the cobblestone streets for nearly an hour, picking up more gringos along the way. By the time we set off, boy did that driver know what it means to put the pedal to the metal!
The flights went smoothly and I utilized my usual American Airlines technique of bringing my bag through the TSA gauntlet then asking them to valet check it. The miracle is that when I got to Dallas-Fort Worth, my bag was there despite it being demarcated to travel to Miami! The customs, etc in DFW was like 1984. They utilize automated everything now, and I got diverted to meet with one of the less intimidating of the guys working that shift. He asked me a bunch of questions like bam-bam-bam, really fast, knowing full well that I would make for a terrible spy. The whole compound was huge and sparsely inhabited. Those I did meet were in general mean and scary.
Driving Stella, my 2008 4-door Tacoma, brought on new feelings. I love ya Stella, but boy are you excessive! Such a huge vehicle, all to myself. I sighed in relief remembering that after my 2 days back in NM, I would begin using more eco- and community- friendly ways of transport.
That was Sunday night. By Tuesday I had packed up all my stuff for the next 6 months and shoved all my skis, snowboards, beds and bikes up against the walls of my storage unit. Stella is packed full with stuff.. not as clean as I'd envisioned she'd be when I put her away... and most importantlt, I had said goodbye to my pup. It was hard to say Hasta Luego, but had to be done.
The next mornimg, when I landed in Los Angeles, I received a beautiful text message picture of Taos Ski Valley from the top of Kachina peak. Tsv just had to wait until the day I left to open the highly anticipated new lift, huh? IN spite of that ski girl's buzz kill, I had. Fantastic day in LA. How did we pack so much in?
-delicious, authentic french breakfast
-shopping at the mall near Santa Monica Pier (plus a walk around the pier)
-a visit to the gardens and photography exhibit at the Getty
-more food at savory Utama Burger
-nap
-nap!
-nap
-fancy and best sushi I have had in my life
It was a very long day and I was grateful to have no time to wallow in my own self-dug pity-pool about Kachina lift. I will get to ski it next year! Plus, I am reminded that I hiked Kachina on the very last day of the season before the lift was put in... which is just as exciting of a story to tell my grandchildren anyways!
Returning to New Mexico: I left antigua after boarding a 3:45 am shuttle which bounced around the cobblestone streets for nearly an hour, picking up more gringos along the way. By the time we set off, boy did that driver know what it means to put the pedal to the metal!
 |
| Clouds as the airplane descends back to 'Merica |
The flights went smoothly and I utilized my usual American Airlines technique of bringing my bag through the TSA gauntlet then asking them to valet check it. The miracle is that when I got to Dallas-Fort Worth, my bag was there despite it being demarcated to travel to Miami! The customs, etc in DFW was like 1984. They utilize automated everything now, and I got diverted to meet with one of the less intimidating of the guys working that shift. He asked me a bunch of questions like bam-bam-bam, really fast, knowing full well that I would make for a terrible spy. The whole compound was huge and sparsely inhabited. Those I did meet were in general mean and scary.
Driving Stella, my 2008 4-door Tacoma, brought on new feelings. I love ya Stella, but boy are you excessive! Such a huge vehicle, all to myself. I sighed in relief remembering that after my 2 days back in NM, I would begin using more eco- and community- friendly ways of transport.
That was Sunday night. By Tuesday I had packed up all my stuff for the next 6 months and shoved all my skis, snowboards, beds and bikes up against the walls of my storage unit. Stella is packed full with stuff.. not as clean as I'd envisioned she'd be when I put her away... and most importantlt, I had said goodbye to my pup. It was hard to say Hasta Luego, but had to be done.
 |
| Obligatory last meal at Gutiz french fusion restaurant. With the best waitress who served me a piping hot cup of house-made Chai and a Parisi an Crepe. yum. |
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| After a last hike into the Rio Grand Gorge, Jarrod and I stopped for tailagate-style coffee and Chocolate mousse at KoKo café in Taos, NM |
The next mornimg, when I landed in Los Angeles, I received a beautiful text message picture of Taos Ski Valley from the top of Kachina peak. Tsv just had to wait until the day I left to open the highly anticipated new lift, huh? IN spite of that ski girl's buzz kill, I had. Fantastic day in LA. How did we pack so much in?
-delicious, authentic french breakfast
-shopping at the mall near Santa Monica Pier (plus a walk around the pier)
-a visit to the gardens and photography exhibit at the Getty
-more food at savory Utama Burger
-nap
-nap!
-nap
-fancy and best sushi I have had in my life
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| Cappuccino and (infuriatingly I can't remember the name of these European almond candies) |
 |
| Smoggy view of LA as witnessed from the Getty |
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| Looking up at a trellace/sculpture in the Getty gardens |
It was a very long day and I was grateful to have no time to wallow in my own self-dug pity-pool about Kachina lift. I will get to ski it next year! Plus, I am reminded that I hiked Kachina on the very last day of the season before the lift was put in... which is just as exciting of a story to tell my grandchildren anyways!
 |
| Taos Ski Valley: Where I Was Not |
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