We took the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway today. It's 65 miles from Santa Fe to Albuquerque - it took us most of the day to do the 65 miles! We stopped in the towns of Cerrillos and Madrid. They were both mining towns that died out and are trying to make a come back. Madrid has turned artsy with several galleries, little shops & restaurants (OK, I know you want to know about our lunch there; tacos AGAIN for Eldon & tortilla burger for me). Cerrillos is still a ghost town, but I don't think the people living there know it. The western movie, Young Guns, was shot there. We stopped in a "trading post", the door was open so we walked in. No lights on and no one around; the door into their house from the shop was open & we could see straight into their house & bedroom. We looked around a while; still no one there. Hm.............. I decided there was a turquoise bracelet I just had to have. As I was writing a note & leaving the cash for the bracelet a man walked in and said "Oh, was the door open? It blows open all the time." His wife was gone for the day and he was out in the desert with his dog. He happily took my cash and every one went on their way. The other "trading post" (see pic) was a house, a store and museum ($2.00 entry for museum). The guy told us we had a flat tire - April Fool's Day!!! They had turquoise up the wazoo as the family bought a turquoise mine (once owned by Tiffany) and does all the work themselves as they have six children. Now, Cindy has turquoise up the wazoo too. Missy - we need to have a craft day when I get home and make some jewels. They are polished, drilled & ready to create. It seems we both go out of our way to talk to people more since it's just been the two (OK, 3 with Larry) of us for so long. We just checked out the old town historic plaza in Albuquerque - looks a lot like Santa Fe's. The other picture of the clock with no hands under Will Return shows you the laid back lifestyle. The El Don motel says it all, but we didn't stay there (looked a little too dicey). All for today....................

Comments from Eldon: I think I might have found the motel I was conceived in and how I got my name.

Comments from Larry: How come there aren't any hotels names Larry??????