Day 21 - Pueblo, CO, to Taos, NM

Day 21 and we drove from Pueblo, CO, to Taos, NM. I hadn't seen my Cousin Mike Hand but one time since 1960, but he and his wife Ruth invited us to spend some time with them in Taos, NM, on our trip. What a great time we had with them!

Mike was my reason for wanting to go to a Hand family reunion this year in Nebraska, but he and Ruth weren't able to make it. Instead, they invited us to stay with them for a couple of days and we had a great time reconnecting after all these years. Our fathers were very similar and so are our interests.

The trip to Taos was a smooth trip and an easy trip compared to some of our 400-mile+ day drives. Of course, when I plugged Mike and Ruth's address into the GPS, the damned thing crashed and hasn't worked since. (Really!!!) Apparently the GPS knew the Vette wasn't good at off-roading. Thank God I brought an extra GPS with me.

Mike and Ruth live slightly off the highway (make that gravel roads that turn to red clay mud after rain, and it did rain) just north of Taos, NM. Their home is on a 2-acre lot and is built of adobe and is beautifully decorated. We stayed in their guest house, also made of adobe, and just as beautifully decorated.

Mike and Ruth were so gracious and drove us all around the area. One of the areas they took us to see was the Rio Grande River and a bridge that overlooks the river. Quite a sight and what beautiful country.

Thanks to Ruth who managed to entice Sheila into doing a little jewelery shopping. Ruth was very concerned about us not having enough room in the Vette to haul too many souvenirs back to New Hampshire, but figured jewelery wouldn't take too much space. Can't thank you enough, Ruth... K

So, as you might have noticed, I really had to check out the jewelry in Taos, and Ruth and Mike were gracious enough to take us to several stores. I have now started to accumulate my booty. I have a beautiful turquoise necklace, and some lovely sterling silver earrings. When we were leaving Mike and Ruths', Mike said they wanted us to come back for another visit, but in perhaps 5 weeks when the jewelry stores had a chance to restock. I didn't realize I had personally done so much to help the recession in NM, but have been informed I maybe receiving a thank you letter from the Governor.

Ruth took us to a gem shop. In my case that's like taking a fox to the hen house. I thought I'd just look, well maybe buy a little something, but that's where I got my beautiful turquoise necklace. When I think about it, a necklace really is just a little something, but the owner of the jewelry store asked if I was a friend of Katie Courics, as she has been sporting a large turquoise necklace lately. I informed him we didn't travel in the same social circles, but kind of wonder why he asked, oh well. Tomorrow to see the museums of Santa Fe,and maybe just maybe, will stop by a few stores. Will keep you updated S