To-Do List #17 - Drive Across Country - Part Four

So we morning after the terrifying Texas experience, all we wanted to do was get OUT of Texas... But we had one REALLY BIG to-do list first. The Cadillac Ranch. I have wanted to see it for a really long time. So before going we stop at the Wal-Mart to buy a big can of spray paint - and on our way out Lana is accused of stealing a bottle of pills that were in her bag. yeah. They practically did all but count the pills to make sure she didn't walk out with them. They finally let us go and we drove on the the Cadillacs. Texas -- not great experiences.

The Cadillac Ranch was really great - as your driving down 40 on the left side you can see it off in the distance and a few cars parked on the side of the service road. I was so excited! As you pull off there is a sign telling you it is punishable by law to spray on anything outside of the fence. So we go in to the area - walk the short distance to get to the cars and just soaked the silliness of it in for a moment. 10 old Cadillacs buried face down. All painted insane - some had beautiful pieces of art work - some had political statements --- one even had a marriage proposal. We found a car to deface and started at it - First car I wrote CA OR DIE! Lana's car had BE TRUE and finally the last car said EB AND LJ. We had a great time out there and I took many many photos on the old 35 -- hope they turn out!

We got back on the road again to take the short trek over to Santa Fe, New Mexico. My mother and Aunt had a friend, also from camp-days of their teenage years, named Jimmy. Or Jim as he goes by now. I knew of Jim most of my life from stories from my Mom and Aunt Jill -- and then this winter for a World AIDS Day event my sister organized with him to display along with others, his partners piece of the quilt, his partner passed away in the 80's. He now lives in Santa Fe with his absolutely adorable Partner Eluid. We met up with them at about 5pm. They were both so much fun! We left our car at there house and went on to downtown Historical Santa Fe were we walked and talked for a bit. Santa Fe has got to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It was just so peaceful. The buildings seem to have grown straight out of the desert land. As Eluid said, there are 21 shades of brown in the buildings. Nothing seems out of place. After walking we drove to meet another of there friends, Kathy, at a wonderful New Mexican restaurant. Kathy is a trip - she fits in with the people in my life quite well! She was so much fun to listen to her stories! We had an amazing (and delicious time!) at the restaurant! After dinner we drove back to Jim and Eluids's house, took a few pictures so that Mom and Jill wouldn't have a complete fit and drove the short drive to Albuquerque, where we were staying for the night.

All in all it was out best and most relaxing day in the trip so far! Thank you so much Jim and Eluid for opening up your city to us - we had a great time!