Sunday, May 19, 2013

Breaking Bad Part 2


So back to my own personal Breaking Bad episode minus the meth...Over my recent long weekend in New Mexico, I spent a morning horseback riding in Cerrillos, NM, a location found along the historic Turquoise Trail, at the Broken Saddle Riding Company run by cowboy Harold. (Is that a run-on sentence?) My ride for the day was Watson, a Tennessee Walker with a proclivity to snack along the trail, which apparently is against NM laws because the ground cover is so fragile. (Overgrazed dryland pasture may never recover.) During the fabulous 2.5 hour ride I got to know when Watson was trying to fake me out when he was like, "Hey, quick, look over there! I'm just going to have a taste while you're not looking." I don't think so, my friend! Harold sized the riders up right away (and is very diligent about pairing one's weight and abilities with the appropriate horse and is not afraid to ask you to step on the scale...or so he said). He paired our abilities appropriately so that we were not left to languish on a very long horse saunter, and were able to vary our walking speeds, along with racking and cantering. It was super fun and a terrific way to see the back country without fear of stepping on a rattlesnake. I felt compelled to ask about the local rattlers but was told that it was too early for them to come out, but wouldn't you say that to your city girl client, too?

Broken Saddle Office

Watson, my ride

Broken Saddle's unbroken saddle
Me and Watson just chillin'
Broken Saddle Tchotchkes

Cowboy Harold
Broken Saddle Rocker
Broken Saddle Hitching Posts
Christmas at Atrisco

Monday, May 13, 2013

Breaking Bad Part 1

Scenic from Tent Rocks, NM

Once again I have been occasionally cooking (i.e. NOT cooking). I can't help it! There are so many places to go, see and do! Hello! I've just returned from a long weekend in New Mexico, where incidentally, I saw both Sarah Silverman and Allison Williams, not together but still. Random, I know.

There was a LOT on my weekend agenda including hiking, horseback riding and copious amounts of food and drinks. After arriving in Santa Fe with my travel pal, we headed straight to The Shed for a red chile lunch topped off with a margarita(s). Santa Fe is an excellent food town and the local red and green chile sauces to be found around town are not to be missed.

This is slightly out of order for my actual weekend, but the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (40 miles SW of Sante Fe near Cochiti) was high on my list of priorities. (And heart breaking as I left my camera OUT OF MY DAY PACK!!! Please make due with my camera phone photos. Oy.) After a volcanic explosion, oh... 6 - 7 million years ago, weathering and erosion have created canyons and tent rocks ripe for exploring. Check. It. Out. One of the best hikes. Evah.


Santa Fe Municipal Airport, New Mexico


Carne Adovada Plate, The Shed, Santa Fe


Approach to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument


Tent Rocks, NM


Tent Rocks, NM


Tent Rocks, NM


Me at Tent Rocks, NM


Tent Rocks, NM


View from the peak of the hiking trail at Tent Rocks, NM