Tag / travel

by LG

New Mexico recap

I realize I never wrote again while in New Mexico. WHOOPS. Time flew by so fast, and I really enjoyed being present my last day or so while I soaked everything up.

We went out to a chill little dive in Tesuque with fantastic (and strong!) margaritas, beautiful murals, and FRITO PIE. We spent that night with L+P up on their rooftop and then inside, listening to music and unsoberly eating a really good cake B’s mom made earlier in the day. The next day we got massages and then went out for a fancy-ass meal at Geronimo. And all through the trip I got a ton of fun playtime with Coco.

B used the best word to describe the trip: affirming. Something about it felt like home. It could be any number of things: the arid climate, the mountains, the red rocks, the friendly people, the casual vibe, or the wide open spaces … who really knows. But the trip was much needed for present-day relaxation and future planning, and I felt like it really delivered.

Thinking of a big move feels somewhat scary in a way, but exciting, too. I don’t want to make the same mistakes we made when we moved to Texas in 2015, so we’re being very intentional about our thought process and decision-making. We’re not thinking of this as The Move, but rather The Next Step Toward the Rest of Our Lives. That helps me keep it in perspective.

And now? We plan. We think through the scenarios. I requested remote status for my job and got it, which was the biggest damn deal (I might be the most senior person there to be full-time remote? Unclear). And now that we have that out of the way, it’s getting things ready for me not to be here in DC, namely getting my team at work ready. Getting the house ready and deciding if we want to rent it out or sell it. Deciding whether to rent or buy in NM. There are a lot of unknowns, but what I do know is this: we wanted to have a decision made or a plan ready for all of this by the end of 2022, and we do. We want to move in 2023, and I can’t think of one good goddamn reason why we won’t. Stay tuned!

by LG

4.3.22

Top L-R: My new friend Coco. An IPA in Madrid. Just one of MANY cases of turquoise accessories
Middle L-R: An absolute unit of a Bighorn sheep. A view up the main drag of Madrid. A new dispensary!
Bottom L-R: A sculpture garden in Madrid. An old rail car.

Yesterday was another great day. The forecast looked amazing, and B has had her eye out for a nice turquoise ring, so we decided to take a little field trip to Madrid, New Mexico. Madrid began as an old mining town that has evolved into a cool little hippie artsy scene over the decades. It’s pronounced MAD-rid and is about an hour drive through some of the prettiest countryside I’ve seen along a route called The Tuquoise Trail.

We walked up the Main Street until we got to the Mine Shaft Tavern, which is the site of the longest freestanding bar in New Mexico and (supposedly) many spirits that continue to haunt the structure. We got a round of beer to go with our burgers and nachos and then meandered up and down the street to do some window shopping. We met woman from NYC who has seen “every horror movie from the 1930s to the 1950s” and saw a ton of bikers – both motorized and not – out enjoying the sunshine. We saw some gorgeous jewelry and gemstones and some very i n t e r e s t i n g souvenirs. We met a warm and welcoming trans guy (he shared his identity with us) who told us he doesn’t want everyone to move to New Mexico, but he would love it if we did and could recommend a realtor. It felt so nice to be seen in that way.

On the way home, we drove through some areas around Santa Fe to get a feel of the look and vibe. That was super helpful, because there was one area that looked kind of far when looking on Google Maps, but it doesn’t feel far at all and is a very short drive from town. We’ve looked at a few listings, but I have generally felt pretty peaceful with our approach to just get a sense of things.

After we got home, B and I sat up on the roof and checked in with where we both were mentally in the process. I’ll tell you, those conversations feel so much more pleasant with a nice breeze and a beautiful view. I can confidently say we both feel like the move is a yes for us individually and that we are manifesting it into reality. The opportunity to live somewhere I can see the stars and still get a good tortilla is too much to pass up, so … we are going for it!

I have to wrap this up by writing about COVID a little bit. It has felt odd to go out a little more here than we have back home, and I would say the mask requirements are about 50-50 here. I feel a way about that! I know we are still in the pandemic. I know we still need to be careful. However, I haven’t worn my mask as much here after being VERY vigilant about it everywhere in DC. For some reason, it just hasn’t felt as dicey as DC feels. Maybe it’s because there are fewer people here and more space, I’m not sure. I’m not declaring the pandemic over – just sharing that it feels somewhat different here, which has felt … nice? But you can bet I’ll have my mask on in the airport and airplane with all those other yahoos in such close quarters.

by LG

4.2.22

I didn’t take any pics during our dinner excursion, really. I have a picture of the restaurant sign because B took one and I borrowed it, and I have a pic of the sunset from the car window. What can I say, I was really in the moment.

We sort of informally landed on doing one thing a day and relaxing the rest of the time, and I really enjoy that cadence.

Yesterday our little excursion was to an incredible Japanese restaurant up the canyon. We had early reservations, but that ended up being a blessing because there was enough light in the canyon for us to see on the ride up. The canyon was much more densely wooded with tall conifers, the kind of landscape I’m most used to. It was nice to see the difference of that scenery from all the others we’ve seen so far while in New Mexico.

Our dinner was delicious and served on smallish plates family-style so we could all share: Ahi tuna tacos, kurobota pork belly tacos, grilled avocado, house-made skillet gyoza, and Wagyu beef ishiyaki. All of it was delicious and plated so beautifully. The ishiyaki experience – cooking the meat on a 500-degree stone set in the middle of our table – felt surprising and fun. All said, it was a fantastic dining experience. I truly can’t believe how much my palate has expanded over the years, and I have really had fun exploring.

After dinner, we drove a little further up the canyon to see more green trees and views. We headed back as the sun set, and it felt like a really lovely way to wrap up the outing.

We ended our night by watching Coda. It’s one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long while.

by LG

4.1.22

Happy April Fool’s Day! Weed is now legal in New Mexico! I woke up this morning just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’re staying at B’s mom’s home for the rest of our trip until we fly back out of Albuquerque. It’s so beautiful and peaceful here that it’s hard to imagine ever leaving even though we just arrived.

We got here yesterday evening after a full day of driving around and through Albuquerque, Corrales, and Bernalillo. The drive between there and Santa Fe was absolutely gorgeous with hardly any traffic, which felt fortuitous because I was obsessed with gazing out the window at the changing landscape. Red rocks and soil, hills and mountains, black volcanic rock, shallow canyons and arroyos, all capped off by a brilliant blue sky. The view changed every few moments and felt like a marvel to behold.

We had a nice dinner and a margarita, chatted for a while, and called it a night since we were feeling pretty tapped out from such a busy day. We turned out the lights, and … darkness. No light pollution. No sounds of traffic. Glorious.

We plan to have a simple, restful day. We’re dropping off the rental car now that we’re here, and we have dinner reservations at FIVE. B’s mom likes an early dinner, and the place we wanted to go only had reservations at that time. I don’t mind – an early dinner means I’ll have room to eat that piece of chocolate cream pie I took home from the restaurant last night.

Being here feels like breathing again.

by LG

3.31.22

Top L-R: The gorgeous fireplace in our room, the sitting area and entrance to the bedroom, the gorgeous breakfast rice bowl
Middle L-R: The courtyard of the b&b, a cute indoor/outdoor sitting area, our private courtyard just outside our bedroom
Bottom L-R: The amazing view from our breakfast table, the great room/common area

It takes a little inspiration to write again, and wow – going somewhere new and seeing different things really gives that inspiration a boost.

I woke up in Albuquerque, New Mexico this morning. We flew in yesterday for several days of what I have dubbed “R&D and R&R.” The R&D involves checking out the vibes in different neighborhoods and locations in Albuquerque and Santa Fe because we are working on a plan to move, and this area is at the top of our list right now.

The R&R is inherent in the trip … getting away from the noise and fuckery of our neighborhood at home felt like a priority for my sanity and well-being. We stayed in the East Room at Sarabande Bed and Breakfast, and it was perfect. So cozy and relaxing, with a fireplace that we turned on for a little while before we realized we were roasting – so we opened the door to our private courtyard and let the breeze blow in to cool us off as we fell asleep.

We started our day with an amazing breakfast made fresh for us while we sat right next to the kitchen: hot coffee, fresh fruit, freshly squeezed OJ, a perfectly made muffin, and a breakfast rice bowl. OH and this morning we made tea in the room and paired it with some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that were waiting in the room for us when we arrived.

The bed and breakfast is gorgeous, and I can’t wait to go back when I have a little more time and when the weather is a little warmer so I can enjoy the pool. And now, it’s off to do some fact-finding!

by LG

8.24.20

My grandmother’s maiden name is Hancock, and the family line goes back a looooong way. With that in mind, we made a little stop in Hancock, Maryland, on the way home from our adventure. It’s in the thinnest part of western Maryland and sits on the upper Potomac River and C&O Canal. It was HOT but worth the stop!

by LG

8.16.20

I got to see G today! She drove from Washington State to Utah across the country to Maine and then down to DC, all with my new little niece, THE PRINCESS! BUTTAHCUP! (the second pic, obvs), who is the cutest and sweetest little pup!

I had a hard afternoon, and when I’m feeling that way my first instinct is to withdraw instead of engage. It’s not like I meet up and act like everything is fine … I’d just as soon not see or talk to anyone at all. I’m not used to telling anyone – even my people – in real-time when I’m struggling, because I just really don’t like to feel that vulnerable. But I’m trying to get better at that so I told her, she listened, and I SURVIVED. We talked, walked Butter along the river, found a snakeskin (EW-ah!), saw a deer, talked some more, walked up on the bridge to get a nice view of Navy Yard and the water, caught up on everything, had wine on the deck in the backyard, talked some MORE, and then we said goodbye so she could hit the road again in the morning.

It feels so strange to see someone you love and wonder when in the world you will see them again with everything that’s going on, and that’s probably a whole different post. But I’m so grateful she made the drive to see us so I could spend time with her and Buttercup, and her road trip also has me jonesing for one of my own now!

by LG

2.12.20

My brother and I have a thing about visiting all the states, and we’ve stipulated that airport layovers don’t count. Right now, my state count stands at 42 with MI, WI, ND, SD, OK, KS, MN, and VT as my holdouts.

I’ve driven through KC, but it didn’t feel like I’d actually visited. And I’ve been to the Orlando airport, but according to the rules above, that won’t cut it. I’m also counting Portland twice since I’ve been to the one in Oregon AND the one in Maine – extra credit! I’m not really sure how I’ve never been to L.A. having lived out west for so long, but I hope to change that in the near future. I also can’t wait to hit that upper Midwest region to knock out a bunch of states!

 

by LG

1.24.20

Gotta love how Brandi Carlile announced shows in two locations a few days ago, and immediately two friends texted to let us know/coordinate getting tickets. It took some doing, but we succeeded in snagging tickets for her show at Wolf Trap here in the DC area this summer and for Red Rocks this fall in Denver!

Seeing a show at Red Rocks a couple of summers ago felt like a dream because I’d heard so much about the beauty and acoustics of that venue. But I’ve wanted to see Brandi perform there for YEARS, so getting this chance feels like making one of my own dreams come true.

(I guess some people might call it checking something off my bucket list, but for some reason I really don’t like that term and am looking for a replacement ASAP.)