THE BIRTHDAY BOY JUST KEEPS ON KEEPIN' ON

By

Gypsy Rhapsody

Another Birthday

Another Dollar

Yep, Dave decided it was time to celebrate

for his birthday..and celebrate we did.

It seemed like every time we were turning around,

we are celebrating Dave's birthday...AGAIN.

It actually started the day BEFORE his birthday.

Vannie and Dave had to go to Taos early that morning,

and Dave said, "Hey, tomorrow is my birthday...let's start celebrating today."

Breakfast was a good place to start...

with a window overlooking San Francisco de Asis Mission Church

in Rancho de Taos...V and D call it the Georgia O'Keeffe church.

She painted it a bunch of times.

The restaurant was Old Martina's Restaurant.

That window...right there in the front...was "their" window. 

I think I have talked about these almond croissants before.

According to V and D...TO DIE FOR... 

Quiche Lorraine with a spinach salad on the side...

Wait...did they have the croissant first?

My goodness...I think they did.

Old Martina's Restaurant...5 star

Vannie and Dave...food critics extraordinaire 

Hacienda de los Martinez

V and D have have had this on their bucket list for years.

What better time to visit it than after the birthday breakfast...

Circa 1804

What????

I don't think so.

Severino and Maria Martinez were the original owners.

This was their bedroom.  

That bed looks mighty small for 2 people.

La Cocina

The Kitchen

Isn't that a cool little swing for the babies.

Vannie was all a dither about these socks.

Remember when Vannie finally finished her first and only pair.

The story goes that there were a whole lot of ladies working on socks year round.

Amazing... 

OK...This ole guy looks mighty happy.

I really don't think he has been around since 1804...but maybe.

The walls of the hacienda reminded V and D of walls 

in the old Cajun homes.  Those were made from mass and mud called bousillage.

The hacienda walls were made from mud and straw bricks. 

The hacienda was divided into two placitas or courtyards.

Here's ole Van standing at the end of one of the courtyards.

Finally the REAL day arrived.

...one candle should be a breeze.

Our neighbors, Connie and Don, provided the brownie cake.

YUM.

More celebrating...

Ice cream and cake at the Caribel the next day.

Dave's having to put his belt in another notch.

 More neighbors...Bob and Jean...more celebrating...
This time with rainbow trout...potato salad...cherry pie.

Dave's looking a little crazed here...

it's bound to be all that celebrating.

Will it EVER stop???

Just a quick extra birthday lunch in Arroyo Seco

at the Taos Cow Restaurant.

Brie and Turkey Sandwich...Delish 

Afterwards, pumpkin empanadas from Ade's Cantina...

Finally...an official birthday hike.

Dave needed a nice LONG hike after all the celebrating.

Presents...too.

Well, this looks like this is a present we can both share.

A new solar panel for campers.

Gosh...darn...I'm so excited.

Bob came over to help install it. 

They look like they know what they are doing. 

The solar panel is 100 watts and will help out a bunch when we are dry camping.

The Balloon Fest in Albuquerque is coming up at the first of October.

This is going to come in handy.

Vannie may even be able to run her hair dyer....MAYBE.

OK...Folks...Dave's birthday is officially over till August of 2017.

I don't know how he can top this one.

Until next time...!!!