The first day of vacation. A much needed one after the last 2 years. It’s really been since 2021 that I packed up and left the state of Texas on a real vacation. I’m excited to have Yvette and her youngest son along for the ride. I pretty much had all my goods packed so not it was just getting ready for the road. I hate the anticipation up to the journey. I was ready to get this going.
We aimed for around 10 but but in reality it was more like 12 before we hit the road. On the road to Lubbock, my old college stomping grounds. It’s been nearly 20 years. Sterling City to Big Spring to Lamesa to Tahoka to Lubbock. It’s been well over 18 years since I’ve ventured down this highway of my past. Uglier than I remember it.
When we finally made it to Lubbock we unloaded and went to a place I had not eaten at in 17 or so years. It was right across from Texas Tech University. Chimy’s. This place always had some great cheap margaritas. The nachos were also still great. Place hadn’t change much at all. After that we looked around the campus some and took notes on how much nicer a campus they have than the one that we work at. I also went down memory lane recalling walking to my classes through the campus. Good times.
We made it to Clovis, NM and checked into our hotel. I think we were all tired so we chilled a little and went to eat some comfort food at Chilis. Had a few drinks and decided to turn it in for a night.
I slept very well considering I was in a hotel room. Being right next to the cold AC had to have helped. I woke up for a shower and headed down for some coffee in the lobby area. They actually had a really nice breakfast spread. Sausage biscuits and gravy, sausage links, potato’s, scrambled eggs, egg white veggie omelette. Muffins, bagels, oatmeal, cereal, etc…. I had a little sample. I can’t deny food.
A few hours later we had a real breakfast at an iHop. We needed real fuel for the road. This was when we realized a problem was amongst us. The boys. brought the stomach flue. We made due. Might be the last chain restaurant of the trip. Now ready for the road.
The drive to Taos was beautiful. We took it in. We took a very scenic route. When we finally reached our destination it was time to unwind. Instead of going out we ordered from a very good local pizza place and pigged out.
Monday we all woke at our own leisure. At this point we were not all sick. A problem that we would carry until the end. I was up early and needed to eat to take my meds to I snuck out and grabbed Yvette, her son and I some McDonalds. I had to be sneaky otherwise everyone would have pulled on me for food. I got away with it. Win!!!
That afternoon we went for lunch in the Taos town square and wondered around some shops. We decided afterwards to travel to the Taos Ski Valley where they had a nice tap room and more snacks. We walked around a hiked a little. Really, we just took in the scenery and the beauty of it all. We also celebrated my mother’s birthday. She was 70 on this day. She had some fantastic treats.
That night my cousin, aunt and uncle and all the family celebrated a big old birthday. Nineteen of us celebrated. We grilled burgers and hot dogs. We drank lots of beer and wine. We had a regular party. It was so much fun. It’s times like these I’m so happy to have a close family.
Tuesday. We had a little lunch (excellent) and followed it with a hike to the Rio Grande Gorge. The hike was supposed to be 1/2 a mile and ended with a bench over a nice lookout point. Well we hiked over 3 miles and never saw the bench. I enjoyed the hike, some did not. We could not keep looking so we turned around. Yvette and her son had an appointment for some horseback riding. They had an amazing time and I was kind of jealous.
That evening we went to my cousins little taste room slash lounge for snacks and drinks. It was a really neat location. The drinks were top notch. it was great seeing my cousin in action. She comped all our drinks. I see now that running a distillery and lounge is her thing. My uncle and aunt on my mom’s side were great as always. I can’t believe it’s been so long. How does time fly away like it has. I hate that. Just another reason to enjoy every day. We finished the night with a trip to McDonald. I guess that’s a good way to end it.
Did I mention the illness that ran through us? Save that for last. Montezumas revenge. My brother and the kids brought the pain. It hit 13 of us as far as we know. It hit me and her son in the transition between Taos and Santa Fe. Real bummer. I was also my birthday. What a day to be sick. I tried to tough it all out. I made sure we went to this dinner that was on Dinners Drive-In’s and Dives. The food was fantastic. It dropped out of me as soon as we left. The pain was real but I wasn’t going to let it stop me. That night we all went out for a nice meal and indulged. I had a really good time.
I can’t say the best about Thursday. I still had fun but I was also in a bad way from that virus we all passed around. At least 4 of us that day were hit. Don’t travel with a virus. Just don’t. It killed half the trip for some of us. Just so you know.
We went to a Meow Wolf. It was rather fantastic. Once we got back to the house Yvette and I ran around the town and did some shopping. We had a little date night and some great food. I couldn’t eat what I would have wanted because of the pain but I made a point to have fun. I wish I had been feeling 100%.
On our final day Yvette, son and I decided to just chill around the house and relax. He has tired and we were not 100%. Don’t worry, I’ll give my brother hell for this until he dies. Real bummer. Ooh well. It was really nice not having any distractions and just take in the house. Sometimes you just want to stay put on an otherwise busy vacation. Moment of peace. The rest of the bunch went to town to walk around. It was hot. Hard pass. Plus it was just nice to hear myself think without the kids running around. Went to town and grabbed some donuts and bagels. I found a Papa Murphy’s and had to get a pizza just the way my mother and I did every Sunday night for Game of Thrones night. We ate this pizza for years until they closed maybe 10 years ago. No way I could pass it up. I was happy with my decision. Watched a few movies. Yvette and I played a little corn hole. I found something out about her. She is good at corn hole. She is also competitive. Haha. She kicked my ass. It was fun. I liked having a relaxing day.
That evening we all got together for on last trip to the town and a final dinner before we all parted ways the following morning.what a nice night out. I sort of enjoyed my food. Damn VIRUS!!!! Oh well. Note to all parties, stay away when sick.
How quickly a week went. It was fun. Had its unfortunate bumps, us all getting sick, but overall it was fun. Sadly that was the first family experience. Yvette and I survived. Her son barely did. Our first long trip together…. My family didn’t crush her hopes. I guess this was a win. Difficult with that bug.
Sadly, all vacations have to end. We loaded up, cleaned and hit the road. The full haul. No stop. My back be damned, our guts be damned. I wanted my own bed. I think we all were ready to get home rather than stay at a hotel and spend money to just get half way. We went to Roswell and saw the Aliens. It was great. A long drive but worth it. Sad vacation was over. It’s fucking hot back home. At least I got to see one of my dogs. My sweet daughter watched one, the other is on vacation at the Dog Club.tired on the couch. Good night.
En Fuego 