14,553 miles

 

This is my day in the Park in downtown Santa Fe, taken over by a little boy named Tiger who was named for his Grandfather. There I was, minding my business, watching the pigeons and barking when I could get away with it, and here he comes. Actually, as kids go, he was a real keeper. Not afraid of anything, open to the world, listening to bees and birds and picking up leaves.....He made me live in the moment, which is where we should all be, no? And, I also met a Sammy dog in the park, not a full Sammy, but quite a love. All this while Dodie and Margaret tried drawing buildings and using pastels and water colors on a one size fits all paper.

This morning, we woke up early from our spot in the parking lot by the cathedral and moved to McDonalds. I was really asleep when we did all this, because I was catching up from waking both Dodie and Margaret up in the middle of the night to walk me. How often do I get to walk in a church parking lot? There was a security guard for the site, a man charged with guarding an archeological dig in the area, so I could have just slept. All the same, I felt better getting folks up all night.

I must say that since Dad has been gone, there's less treats, but more dog food. I am having to adjust, and midnight poops is just one of those consequences.

After our morning about town, I got to stay in the RV while Dodie and Margaret went into the International Folk Art Museum. The collection of miniatures there will blow your mind, 106,000 folk art items donated by an architect and designer named Girrard. He also set up all the little vingnettes that display the objects. Mom had seen it before, and she thought Dodie would like it. She was right. It was overwhelming.

Then they went to Jackelope, which is like a folk art museum where you can buy everything. It is over the top. While there, Miss Dodie met Luis Blanco, who made her a special flower out of Oxacan clay. She was so flattered she bought a little vase from him too, and paid his double for a tip. Later she read his biography, and found that he learned his craft from his mother, who originated the Chia Pet. Now she has a collectors item that will grow in value year after year. She was feeling confident in her investment till she noticed all the women in the store walking around with one of Luis' just for you flowers. This was right after she took Luis' picture with Mom, who makes him look Lilliputian.

After that Mom was bleary and said Lets to to Albuquerque, we've had enough. So off we motored, but not realizing that I needed another stop. After I crawled off the seat and paced about a dozen times, Mom said, we better stop for Daisy. All was well again.

Tonight we are camped south of Albuquerque with a casino on the hillside and a lake below us. The lake walk was wonderful at sunset. Hope I get another shot at it tomorrow.

Miss Dodie has to go home, finally, tomorrow. Mom said she can't talk her into changing her flight one more time. This means I can go back to being a spoiled brat and not have to hear what the dog whisperer show says I should be doing. AND, Dad is coming on Friday.....I am so excited, I cannot sleep!!!! Puppy treats, here I come!