Day 16
5-12-10
Albuquerque to Santa Fe
ALBUQUERQUE
I’ve spent six wonderful days in Albuquerque with my cousin Antonio Martin, son of Rudy Martin and family. Thank you for everything, especially for the warmth of your company. Please forgive me for overstaying, but you have made me feel as if I belong in Albuquerque. It will always be a home I can come to, but never feel that I’ve left.
Antonio and his four year old daughter Isabella (Bella) come to the Casino/Hotel 66 on May 5, 2010. Antonio called my room to inform me that he was there. I was not expecting anyone that night, so it was a pleasant surprise to hear him say that he and Bella were out and decided to have an ice cream at the Johnny Rocket fountain inside the Casino. I met him downstairs in the lobby and for the first time meet Bella. I see that she is a free spirit with a mind absorbing all that she can take in. Antonio lets me know that he will be expecting me tomorrow when I get into Albuquerque, and that I would be staying with him while in town. I accept this and thank him for his hospitality. We spoke of his time with Bella and his schoolwork at UNM. He is pursuing his Masters in Public Administration and has finals to complete, yet I see his fatherly love for his daughter and his commitment to spend quality time with her in between his studies. I believe the last time I saw Antonio was in 1995. He has grown into a handsome young man with a heart of gold and a great sensitivity for life. He looks and speaks very much like his father, Rudy.
The following morning I arrive and meet Antonio in front of his home. He helps me dismount my panniers and makes his way into his living room, and informs me to lean my bike against the wall. I shower; change and we’re off into Albuquerque for lunch at an Italian restaurant by the name of Cappos built in 1953 by some of the first arriving Italians with possible connections. We sat out on the patio where Antonio and I conversed. Bella, to my surprise, took his camera and began to photograph. She moved about taking pictures of the fountain, furniture, people passing through and, of course, her father and me. The cutest moment was while we were eating when Bella became excited while slurping her spagetti noodles one at a time, unbeknownst to her leaving the sauce completely around her mouth and nose, cheeks and chin. Bending her head back and slowly dropping the tip of a two foot noodle into her mouth, the whole time laughing at the length of the noodle. It was truly a living moment of God’s innocence in the heart of a child. The rest of the day went without interruption full of laughter, joy and great conversation.
The following day, May 7th, Antonio gave me the keys to his car which I utilized to drive across town to pick up my 89-year-old cousin Peggy Romero having breakfast at Anita’s Restaurant and Motel. Huevos Rancheros on my part finishing it off with sopapillas. Peggy informs me that she lost her husband Max in February, and is now living in her home with her son Mike. After finishing we drive to her daughter Maryann and Carl, her son-in-law’s home. We sit for three hours speaking of the changes in Albuquerque. The political imbalance, the state’s government and the unpredictable weather changes. I am told that the wind we have been experiencing is very unusual for this time of year. Both are retired, she from nursing and Carl from the construction trade. It was a pleasant three hours and, once again, I felt as if I’ve known these folks all my life.
Saturday comes around, the day of age. When it comes to numbers mine are 59, and for a full year any paperwork that I fill out will reflect that number, 59. How strange to feel like I’m still 21. Throughout the day I received calls from my family members and friends wishing me the best of birthdays. On this particular day a celebration was happening at my brother Pete’s house for his daughter Erica, who just turned 21. It was so good to hear from them. I celebrate the evening with Rudy, his wife Darlene and Antonio with a couple of Modelos, prime rib dinner and a delicious apple crust pie alamod for dessert.
Mother’s Day comes around and once again we’re together with an added family member, Mary, Rudy’s mother. She is 83 and reminds me of mom’s personality. She has her humorous way of conversation, facial gestures and quick wit with her hands when you’re not watching. We had a wonderful breakfast and dinner together on that day, and I am told endlessly to stay in Albuquerque. We laughed a great deal, I especially with Rudy’s uncanny ability to hit the punch line of every joke he tells. He is truly a man down to earth and sensitive to the needs of the people he represents in the field of law. His wife Darlene truly complements him and the people of Albuquerque with her kindness and consideration in all facets of her personality, knowledge and her accomplishments in the field of public administration for the school system. We do some family visiting arriving at Dolores (Lola) his sister’s home. Lola’s has two children, the first Andrew, a proficient gunsmith and trainer of weapons for various law enforcement agencies throughout the nation, and her daughter Jahom, who will be graduating this month from UNM in Education. It was wonderful to see the display of affection they have for each other as adults in this family. It brought home the connection and the closeness that I have with my brothers and sisters.
I was to leave on Monday, May 10th, but due to the aggravation of neck and shoulder pain which numbed my left arm, Rudy made an appointment with Drs. Robert and Joseph Edwards, at the Chiropractic and Nutrition Center for that same day, Monday. Dr. Edwards, Sr., and his wife were wonderful people along with their staff. They were very professional, caring and compassionate individuals in their field of work. I would recommend them to anyone passing through the area. You would literally be in good hands. Allstate ain’t got nothin’ on the Edwards. I decided another day’s rest would be beneficial before getting on the road which extended my stay one more day.
Tuesday I spend the day with Antonio, and we went to the University of New Mexico to drop of his final term paper for the semester. We drove up Route 66, which is now post 1947, showing me the buildings of the Route’s golden era with a mix of the abandoned buildings and now restored structures. Most of this is in the heart of Albuquerque.
5-12-10, I leave Antonio’s home early with him at the computer writing for another one of his final exams. He gives me the directions I need to get to Bernalillo, my first stop. I have decided to break up the 65 mile ride to Santa Fe in three parts. The first I’ve mentioned, the second would be to Santa Domingo Pueblo and the last Santa Fe. The reason for this breakup – HILLS – plus I want to see the Pueblos without rush. At least that is the plan or now, anything can happen. Antonio wishes me well and reiterates, “If anything happens do not hesitate to call. Or if you need anything do not hesitate to call.” I thank him, give him a brasso, and get on the road. The ride was short but very comfortable. It helped that the beginning was a four mile descent on Route 66. Many hotels along this stretch are original, still in business and nostalgic of the era. Yet many are gone with just a remnant of their marquis or are boarded up. This route if continued is post 1947 which takes you through Albuquerque and onto I-40. I decided to take the pre-1947 Route 66 to Bernalillo and the Pueblo de Santo Domingo and on through to Santa Fe. My route was very busy traversed by commuters off to work. There were no breaks between communities, so I was in contact with businesses throughout this leg of riding. I stopped in Rio Ranchoat at the High Desert Bicycle Shop in search for a possible bike fit. My thinking was there might be a measurement off which may be causing my shoulder discomfort. Fortunately, there was someone knowledgeable who made adjustments which made a difference after leaving the shop. As I said earlier, after the much needed alignment and muscle massage that put the body back into action, I felt with at least 3000 miles left to ride it might be a good thing to have the bike realigned as well. I cross over the Rio Grande, take some pictures and guess what, it’s not so Grande. But it is flowing and I understand the water is constantly murky.
Albuquerque runs north and south along the base of the Sandia Mountains for roughly 30 miles, and is 20 miles in width. Today the wind was down to 2 to 5 mph allowing unlimited visibility of the entire area. The clouds were coming in from the west giving completeness to the depth of the horizon and mountain ranges. I met up with my cousins Johnny and Cora Medina from Espanola. He had a Dr. appt. in Albuquerque and stopped by Bernalillo on his way home. We conversed for an hour or so, touching bases about the family members. We agreed to have dinner when I get to Santa Fe. I contacted my cousin Robert Romero and made arrangements to meet him at his home in Pueblo Santo Domingo on 5-13-10.
BERNALILLO
In 1948 Bernalillo was incorporated as a city and today has a population of 6,611 people. Bernalillo is the center of history for New Mexico and is situated at the base of the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande. From the 1600s to the 1800s it was a commercial center for trade among the pueblos and the Mexican settlers. Situated at the foot of the Sandia Mountains beside the state's major river the Rio Grande, it progressed from a string of haciendas along the river in the 1600's to a commercial center of trade among the pueblos and the Mexican settlers in the 1800's. The grapevine was brought to this area in the 1620s which brought about many families making their own wine. It became a major industry for a while but floods, drought and even prohibition caused a decline in the market. However, today there is a strong wine industry with yearly festivals. The main street is rich in history with Route 66 having once been a major link with the outside world and one of the oldest historical trails in the U.S.
This day may have seemed uneventful! however looking beyond the unseen, it was living. How I love Life.
Take care and Love ya all
Old man living the uneventful and still smiling
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