ROAD TRIP- DECEMBER 30TH 2011

dec 30th

6:30pmish

it is pitch black.. i will not make it to jemez tonight.. my night vision is not what it used to be and i'm knackered. ted dickerson & bowie wore me out.

i decide to stay in socorro. a small little hamlet off hwy 25. the town is tiny so i should be able to find a nice vintage place to stay. 

humm.. everything is dark.. i spot a neon HOTEL SIGN and pull over.. these chatty ladies and young cholo types are cutting hair. it is a salon. i ask them if they know an old fashion hotel i can stay the night.

they direct me to a couple places. i ask if the salon has rooms to stay in.  "oh you don't want to stay here says the customer, "the place is haunted." i like that i reply.

that's what i'm looking for.

i remember this beautiful brick victorian house from the last year i drove thru... i think i can find it... eureka. i have found it.. i'm very good at finding obscure things such as this.

the home is gigantic. it must be three stories. i pull into the driveway. there are numerous cars parked so it must be a B&B. 

humm.. no one @ the door....  all quiet. i am about to leave when a car pulls next to me. a man steps out. he looks like if he had a gun he would shoot me.

"hello" i say as nice as i possibly can. is this establishment a hotel? are there places to stay for the night?" i ask meekly.

"only if you want to sleep on my couch" is his response... i'm not sure if he's being sarcastic, but that is a good idea.

"you live here?" i inquire. "yes i do" he replies. "what year was it built?" i ask. "1780" he says. "wow!" amazing!  this place is even older than i thought. what a treasure. 

"you own the entire building?" i dumbly ask.. why did i ask that? that wasn't what i wanted to say.. i guess his reach for his gun attitude has me on edge.

there is a long awkward pause.................. well....... thank you for the information. have a nice evening.. he says nothing... i drive away.

8pmish

i am having dinner @ EL CAMINO RESTAURANT.

 it is open 24 hours and they have an adjoining bar. the food was very heavy.  the have wifi!

afterwards i watch the country western live band in the bar for a minute or two... i guess i don't look like the locals because everyone in the bar, including the band simply stared at me when i walked in.. 

i don't mean in a negative way.. just like a "who the heck is that" sorta way.

i stayed the night @ an econo lodge. next door. $35 bucks!
such a deal!