Sunday, August 5, 2018

SALVAGIO'S NEW MEXICO ADVENTURE

By
Gypsy Rhapsody 
(a 1977 Airstream that loves those Salvagio's)

The Salvagio's headed to Red River for their
annual visit. Vannie and Dave's baby daughter, Emilie...
son-in-law, Roy...grandkids, Vincent and Maddie.
They flew in from Austin to Albuquerque,
rented a cool silver Mustang and headed to Red River.


This rainbow greeted them upon their arrival.
It was going to be a good week.


Of course, I couldn't wait for them to come see me.
Vincent and Maddie came for a sleepover.
Haul out the paints, brushes, and canvases...
Vannie had a project...so what's new.


Maddie gets serious when it comes to painting.
Vannie might have a lesson, but Maddie definitely has her own plan.
I think I heard..."Let me do it"...several times.


Vincent always has good ideas, too.
...just a little more laid back...


Maddie LOVES the Questa Library.
When they come to see me, that's always on the agenda.


Showing T-Pop her books was so much fun.


Her favorite one was the Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme book.
She said they had that book at her school.
She looked at it over and over again.


Vincent was relaxing playing on his game thingy.


But they both were spellbound watching the movie, High School Musicals, after supper.
Emilie said they had seen it a million times, but still loved it.


Ahhh...breakfast outside the next morning.
Bacon, Eggs, Pancakes...YUM.


Back to the Caribel Condos to see Mom and Dad.
Emilie and Roy had a relaxing evening sans kids.
Vannie remembers that was always an upper.
You love 'em, but a little break from 'em is refreshing.


One of those good ole afternoon Red River rain showers...
It was probably 60 degrees outside...but Maddie didn't care.


Then it started hailing...
Oh my goodness...Roy was getting aggressive.
Hail Snowballs...Ouch.!!!


Later the next morning, the Caribel heated pool was calling for Vincent and Maddie.
Ready...Set...Jump.!!!  Wheeeeee....


Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Looks like this bear has had one too many chocolate treats.
Maddie remembered him from last year and was excited to see him again.
Maddie thinks this place has the best ice cream...
especially mint chocolate chip ...Delish.!!!


And then when your legs just can't take another step...
Daddy always has the biggest shoulders.


Fishing at the Caribel
Check out this rainbow trout just swimming peacefully around the pond.


That fish had no idea that Roy and Vincent were out to get it.


Those poor fish don't have a chance when the Salvagio Boys get serious.


Vincent is checking their catch.


It's hard to see all of them...but there are 10 beauties.
That's the limit for the day.


Vannie's ready for the task...cleaning those suckers.


Emilie gets a lesson...


Finally Roy comes over to help.


Some Louisiana Fish Fry...and some good hot oil...
and those rainbow trout come out tasting fab.


And just to have a different gourmet delight...
Some were baked with lots of lemon and Cajun seasoning.
Dang...Everyone was chowing down and licking their lips.


While the boys were fishing, the girls...Emilie, Vannie, and Maddie...
had a fun day in Taos at the farmer's market.
The market is every Saturday around the square.
So many veggies, fruits, baked goods, and much more.


But...Maddie picked the hot dog from the Hot Dog Lady Stand.
Vannie had eaten one from the Hot Dog Lady at the Ayro Seco 4th of July parade...and knew they were good.


And Maddie agreed.


After lunch...the shopping began.
Maddie is just like her mom...loves to shop.
And who wouldn't love this red wagon full of stuffed animals.
Little girl magnet...for sure.


Jeep Rentals
Destination...Greenie Peak
Road to Greenie Peak...REALLY bumpy...rocky...curvy...
AND SCARY.!!!


Maddie can't resist a quick doggy rub before heading out...


Oh my gosh...monster mud puddles...
Vannie said Roy knew how to make everyone SCREAM bloody murder...


Top of Greenie...
and Emilie is still smiling.


It was Roy's birthday,
and Maddie had surprised him (and Em, Vincent, V, and D)
with all his cards and presents stuffed in her backpack.
An impromptu birthday party on the top of Greenie Peak.







OK...Folks...time to go down...but which way.!!!
Emilie said there were a few (well, maybe a lot) of wrong turns,
but they finally made it back to the Caribel....


...and there were some pretty tired little ones...
an early-to-bed night.!!!


Vannie said it was hard to get pics on the rafting trip down the Rio Grande River.
This one of Vincent and Em shows what a good time everyone was having.


...and Maddie was dancing a jig when they got back...


Yep...Go Carts are a must in Red River...
5 minutes of fast driving...screaming...and trying to win the race.
Go, Roy and Vincent.!!!


Emilie and Maddie stayed ahead most of the race.
GIRLS RULE.!!!


So much fun...but the week had to come to an end.
One of our northern New Mexico sunsets capped off the week.

See you folks back in Texas in October.


Friday, July 20, 2018

MUSEUMS, ART WALKS, WILD WEST SHOWS, SHAKESPEARE

By
Gypsy Rhapsody
(a 1977 Airstream that's a museum...museumly speaking)

Museums, Art Walks, Wild West Shows, Shakespeare...
how do all these relate to each other....
just fun stuff that Vannie and Dave like to do and see and experience.

A nice big breakfast to start the day is a must.
Our little spot is so cozy and comfortable.
I sometimes wonder why V and D have to leave at all.

...but there is always something to see and do.
They just happened upon this delightful small museum
in the Pueblo of Pojoaque, NM.
...AND  FREE...
Poeh Cultural Center
The Center focuses on six Tewa-speaking Pueblos in northern New Mexico

The pottery was spectacular.

Original Art by David Naranjo
Santa Clara Pueblo

Claver Garcia
Ohkay Owingeh

This was the entrance to a special exhibit within the museum.
This exhibit portrays Tewa stories through art, word, and history.

Vannie said everything was so lifelike.
She said it reminded her of the exhibits at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.

Daily Life...

Check out those eyes...Wow.!!!
This guy meant business. 

In the same area was an art gallery in that big round tower over yonder.
Roxanne Swentzell is the artist exhibiting.

David said that they could not take pictures inside the gallery,
but this fabulous sculpture by the artist was outside.

V and D's favorite mountain...3 Rabbits
This was on their way home...always a peaceful sight...


Taos First Friday Art Walk

This artist paints only with "dots".
Peg Staley
Spirit Rocks Taos

Art in every corner...

...and impromptu concerts.

A black cloud was coming up, so V and D
slipped into a small cafe.

The Chokola Bean to Bar was the perfect place.
A nice cup of coffee...

...and a piece of chocolate tart...heaven.!!!


They walked out of the Bend Street Area
and headed for the Taos Plaza.

Lots of window shopping...

Blessed with a rainbow over the Sangre de Christo mountains on the way home.

Back in Red River...
Always something going on...
This weekend was Michael Martin Murphey's
American/WestFest

Mr. Murphey was the one that hit it big with "Wildfire" back in the 70's.

V said there were tepees...

horses...

games...

and chuck wagon vittles.

...Another Afternoon in Taos...
Taos Children's Theatre
Shakespeare's Midsummer's Night Dream
Vannie taught a Shakespeare Unit to her 4th graders
in Lafayette for many years...so when there is a production close by...
she's there.

Queen of the Fairy's...Titania
and Nick Bottom
Titania:  I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again;
Mine ear is much enamour'd of thy note...
...to swear...I love thee."

Bottom:  Methinks, mistress, you should have little reason for that."

Another Sunset
Another Day
Ahhhhh

Surprise Surprise Surprise
My Cousin
A Long Lost Relative
There she was...parked on Main Street, Red River, NM
Shining like a silver dollar.!!!
When Vannie showed me this picture,
I got so excited. 
What a beauty.!!!
We all belong to the same family.!!!

We Are Family
by Sister Sledge

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

Everyone can see we're together
As we walk on by
Hey and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won't tell no lie
All of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just like me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose.

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing.!!!