Spotted on the Roadside: One Handsome Rattlesnake

May 12, 2017 Comments Off read Mountain, New Mexico, Spotted on the Roadside, Travel, USA, West

Or, rather, TWO handsome rattlesnakes as they bookend University Boulevard. Although a rattlesnake in Freer, Texas boasts the title of “largest rattlesnake in the world”, I think these two give it a run for its money. Caution: there is NO good place to pull over to get a closer look at these snakes, as there’s a high curb on both sides of the road and very little shoulder to speak of. The people you see wandering around it in the photo stopped their car in the middle of the road, which I wholeheartedly do *not* recommend, no matter how much you might want to ride a giant rattlesnake. And believe me, I wanted to.

Spotted on University Blvd SE in Albuquerque, NM

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You Can’t Stay Madrid in Madrid

May 10, 2017 Comments Off read Attractions, Mountain, New Mexico, Travel, USA, West

Not that I was, uh, mad-rid to begin with. I had a belly full of waffles, it was a gorgeous day, and I was on the road from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Sure, I could have taken the highway and gotten there faster, but I was keen on taking the Turquoise Trail and getting a peek at Madrid. Formerly a bustling mining town named Coal Gulch, it was left mostly abandoned in the 1950s when demand for coal died in favor of natural gas. And then in the 70s, the hippies came. These artists and craftspeople revived the town, setting up shops, galleries, and services for locals and passersby, and thus the town of 300 or so people has a funky, arts-y, welcoming vibe. Their shops showcase local turquoise jewelry and pottery, they have their own artist quarterly, and they host events like mailbox painting contests to bring their community together.

I had a grand time in Madrid, shopping around (I bought an ammolite ammonite at a really reasonable price, the ammolite I saw when I last wandered into the Gastown museum in Vancouver cost the Earth), taking silly photos in Connie’s Photo Park, and soaking in that much-needed sunshine. I also was able to grab a few photos from the road of the Turquoise Trail Sculpture Garden & Studio, which was unfortunately closed–but fortunately, it gives me a reason to go back. Aren’t those origami sculptures cool?!?

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Tia B’s La Waffleria: A Syrupy Love Story

May 8, 2017 Comments Off read Masticating With Mellzah, Mountain, New Mexico, Travel, USA, West

“We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter, but work is third.” – Leslie Knope

Waffles are important, and it felt particularly important that I have breakfast at Tia B’s La Waffleria, an Albuquerque breakfast (and waffle-y lunch) house catering to all things waffled, whether one’s tastes run savory or sweet, gluten-free or gluten-full, vegan or omnivorous. I’ve heard that the line can be onerous on weekends, but on a sunny weekday morning, I was able to go almost straight to the ordering counter and claim the sunniest outdoor patio table for myself.

Even though I’d perused the menu beforehand and thought I knew what I was going to order when I walked in, when I got to the counter I started to second-guess myself. Everything looked awesome. Blue corn waffles? Green chile cream sauce? Smoked salmon waffles? My choice of cow or goat caramel? Damn it, Aunt B, you’ve vaporlocked my brain with deliciousness! Luckily, I don’t think you can make a bad choice at La Waffleria–Jason got the fried banana and browned butter bourbon sauce over buttermilk waffles with a honey latte, and I got their buttermilk waffles topped with port-infused cherries, sweetened goat cheese, and lavender whipped cream.

Daaaaamn! The waffles were perfect, able to hold up to the toppings without being too dense or tough. You could taste the lavender without it being overpowering, same with the port in the cherries, and the goat cheese was only slightly sweetened, keeping its creamy tang to keep the whole thing balanced. Jason’s fried bananas and browned butter bourbon sauce were insanely good, as was his latte. Sweet fancy moses, everything was so delicious that I’d fly back to Albuquerque just for waffles. I’m not even kidding. Not when it comes to waffles.

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